Follow these simple steps and you’re sure to have a joyous Christmas every year
When it comes to the holiday season, more people are concerned with buying the “perfect” gift for others and/or anticipating what they will receive rather than focusing on the true spirit of the holiday.
It’s time to get back to the basics. This year, make your Christmas a joyous and stress-free holiday by following these three easy tips:
- Give of yourself. If you enjoy providing gifts to others, that’s a nice gesture. However, you should avoid dwelling on it too much. No matter what you can or cannot afford, there’s always one gift you can give to others: your time is the most precious gift of all.
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There are many ways that you can give of yourself to others this holiday season:
- Be a friend who listens
- Spend time with a loved one
- Help someone with their household chores
- Babysit for a mother or father who really needs a break
- Let others know that you are available anytime they may need your help
- Use your talents. No matter how nice that watch looks in the jewelry case, the homemade pen holder or the homemade blanket you create for your friend, neighbour, coworker, or family member will be much more appreciated than anything you can buy in a store. Sure, store-bought gifts are nice, but people will value your handmade gifts more for one reason: you put your time, effort, and love into creating those gifts. When the receiver thinks about your hard work and dedication in making the gift, it will become more and more cherished.
Here are some ideas for homemade gifts you can make:
- Fresh-baked cookies, pies or jams
- Hand-sewn quilts or crocheted scarves
- Framed photo collage
- Personalized scrapbooks
- Custom made jewelry
- Cherish your time together. In the end, we can’t take back time. Our time is lost in so many ways daily – especially around the holidays. It’s time to place our priorities on our family and friends rather than on the shopping and holiday preparations.
- Why fight the crowds when you could be enjoying your kids’ day off from school together? Wouldn’t you rather create some warm, happy memories?
- If you and your spouse don’t enjoy spending your day standing in long lines at crowded stores, then don’t do it!
- Spending the night baking alone when your elderly mother is in town is such a waste. Plan your baking so you can enjoy each other’s company while things are in the oven.
To make your holiday truly merry, spend your time enjoying the company of your loved ones. Make joyous memories instead of a frenzy of worrying, shopping, cooking, buying gifts and over-stressing.
Follow these simple steps, and you’re sure to have a merry, memorable Christmas this year and every year!
Faith Wood is a novelist and professional speaker who focuses on helping groups and individuals navigate conflict, shift perceptions and improve communications.
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The opinions expressed by our columnists and contributors are theirs alone and do not inherently or expressly reflect the views of our publication.
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