“I left Santa gluten-free cookies and organic soy milk and he put a solar panel in my stocking.” ~ Author Unknown
“For Christmas this year, try giving less. Start with less attitude. There’s more than enough of that in the world as it is – and people will usually just give it back anyway!” ~ Anne Bristow
“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph.” ~ Shirley Temple
“Christmas sweaters are only acceptable as a cry for help.” ~ Andy Borowitz
Can you believe it’s December already? I wanted to wrap up this year of advice about your Life’s Garden with a fun look at the holiday season.
Nothing drains the joy out of the holiday season faster than fighting traffic, looking for a parking spot at the mall, a rising credit card bill, and having to say “no” to your kids every 4.7 seconds. So here are three ways to relax and have more fun this holiday season.
Ditch Your Worn Out Traditions
“One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.” ~ Professor Dumbledore
We all have holiday traditions. Some of them are lovely and some of them we repeat year after year even though they’re no longer serving us. We do them just out of habit. Traditions and rituals are important parts of our celebrations, but if there are some that are no longer useful then please trim them from your holiday.
If your kids used to get together with their cousins and put on a play when they were little but now don’t want to do it anymore because they are teenagers, then please stop pestering them. That just adds more stress to the family get together. It’s OK to let some things go to make room for new traditions to take their place.
Sprout A New Personal Tradition To Connect With Your Inner Child
“There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.” ~ Erma Bombeck
This year capture the joy of the season by creating a new tradition that connects you with your inner child. It’s easy to get busy with shopping, baking, decorating, and cleaning house. Yet we forget to schedule in fun.
What tradition would recapture the child-like wonder of the season for you? Is it sledding or building a snowman? Making a handmade ornament? Or perhaps writing a letter to Santa, God, or the Universe, believing that all your wishes will come true? Start a new personal tradition that lights you up this season.
Cultivate Non-Perfection
“If you can’t wrap Christmas presents well, at least make it look like they put up a good fight.” ~ Author Unknown
Instead of holding yourself to an impossible expectation of everything going perfectly this season, revel in your imperfections. Don’t just allow them begrudgingly; look for them and enjoy them to the fullest!
Did your cookies come out as one big blob? Break them into large pieces, dip one side in frosting, and proudly serve them. Post them on Instagram. Who knows? You may start a new holiday cookie sensation.
This holiday season let your mantra be, “What would be more fun?”. Let that be your guide when faced with choices on your focus, time, energy, and money.
Reclaim your child-like wonder this season by playing in your life’s garden with your own personal holiday garden elf, your inner child.
Thank you for allowing me to be your Master Gardener this year. I have enjoyed teaching you how to grow all the good things you want to reap in your life.
I wish for you a holiday season filled with wonder and awe, and if there is anything I can do to help increase your joy this month or beyond, please give me a call.
Abundant Blessings,
Donna
Top Photo Credit: Holiday Elf by Joel
by Heart Light Digital
