How many of your year’s past did you do all of the things to ensure that your family’s Christmas expectations were met? This could include buying the gifts on the list, decorating your home to the hilt, decorating the exterior of your home, buying outfits and taking time to take family Christmas card pictures, and purchasing the Christmas PJs and making sure they are matchy-matchy to name a few.
The Pressure Christmas Brings
Let’s be honest, the holiday brings PRESSURE. This isn’t to say that all of those endeavors aren’t fun and make you get into the spirit of things. But what if you are having an off year? What if your family life doesn’t feel happy? What if you experienced a great loss? What if your finances aren’t ideal? Then it might be the year to redefine your Christmas expectations.
Do Christmas Simple
Decide for yourself that you’re going to do Christmas a little simpler this year. For your sanity, it’s ok to do Christmas differently. Prioritize the traditions that really mean a lot to your family and balance them against your budget and time constraints. It could be the year you forgo hunting down a fresh tree and settle for a beautiful artificial tree. Maybe you don’t write the family Christmas letter and just send a Christmas email message. You could decide that you still love the matchy-matchy PJs but maybe you just order then online to make your life easier.
More Family Time
Take time to list out the activities that will add to your stress make a plan B. When all is said and done, looking back you might realize you enjoyed Christmas a little more this year by settling in for some good Hallmark movies and more family time! That’s not such a bad way to redefine your Christmas expectations.
If you live in northern Colorado area of Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, Severance, or Johnstown and want to set up a counseling appointment, contact Mending Hearts Counseling today at 970-545-1111 or at this link.
