I am re-posting this because I think it is so very important to remember. What you do is ENOUGH.
I go all out at Christmas. I have a ton of decorations up. I bake and cook up a storm for Christmas dinner, Boxing Day get together and then a New Years Eve dinner too. We can lose sight of the magic of Christmas and feel overwhelmed with what we have to do. (See my previous post about not having an oven right now.)
I have put on too many dinners and parties through the years to count and if there is one thing I have learned when trying to make everything perfect it is this:
WHATEVER I GET DONE IS ENOUGH.
I have put on too many dinners and parties through the years to count and if there is one thing I have learned when trying to make everything perfect it is this:WHATEVER I GET DONE IS ENOUGH.
I will not always get done what I think I should or what I want to but it doesn't matter. What matters is that my family and friends come by and put their feet up and have a visit. And believe me our guests always put their feet up. 
So take some time to enjoy the season. We are not Martha Stewart with a team of staff to pull of all the fabulous ideas we have in our heads. What will make Christmas enjoyable is that you can be with your family and friends and smile a true smile and not a tight faced grin while you are thinking about what you should have done. 
Believe me your guests will notice if you are not relaxed and having a good time and they will feel like a burden and not a guest.
Delegate what you need to delegate. There is no rule that says you need to be the sole provider of Christmas joy. It is a shared joy and those who are not brought in to help don’t get to experience the feeling of warmth in their hearts when everyone is together.
Many years ago when my BB Guy and our neighbour complained about Christmas being a commercial grab and nothing special I snapped back that the reason it wasn’t special to them is that they are doing nothing special for anyone else. I admonished advised them to step up to the plate and do something to change this and to do for others. I think it worked. A lot more thought went into Christmas around here after that.
So remember this word.
ENOUGH
ENOUGH
And have a Merry Christmas Season.
So relate.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, and I like the idea of enjoying more, and stressing less.
ReplyDeleteYou rock girl.
Jen
What wise words, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right.
Warmest hugs to you....
Love,
J.
Great advice, Lori! Merry Christmas to you and your BB Guy!
ReplyDeleteHigh five to you girl! When I turned 50 (now 54) my whole outlook changed....not only about Christmas but everything! Simplify is my new motto.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Laurie.
We've always done for other at the holidays - and through the year. I too find that those who complain the most about commercialism are focusing their activities in the wrong direction. If you are out doing for others you will certainly be cheered by the holiday joy surrounding us all - even in the stores.
ReplyDeleteOh amen! A thousand times, amen!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas -- we are celebrating our 7th in That Old House, after 21 in our former house -- and yes, it's hard to get it all figured out as to what goes where.
In the old house, I could have decorated blindfolded. Well, almost. Here? Still figuring out a few details.
But it's all fun, or it should be. And as you say, whatever you do, it is enough! Brilliant.
Merry Christmas! Cass
Exactly! Christmas is about family and friends, not about stuff and expectations. The sooner we realize that, the sooner we will enjoy everything that this season brings.
ReplyDeleteFirst time visitor, from a comment that you left at That Old House. I love what I have read so far, and I will definitely be back to see more!