Usually I peak too early; like around November 30 to about December 5 I'm full of anticipation and love the fa-la-la-la-la-ing of it all. I get the tree up and house decorated in that time frame. I listen to a few Christmas CDs. Then as the holiday grows closer, my Grinch becomes activated and by the 25th I'm well and done with the whole thing. I know, this is only the 11th, so I have a ways to go, but today I feel calm and bright. I'm still looking forward to the activities and events and gatherings instead of dreading them with the wish it would all be over.
December is super jam-packed each year since I also have a birthday, as do my son and one of my best friends. It makes for lots of extra celebrating. The big group of our friends who gather monthly have a Christmas party. Throw in the annual December trip to a nearby waterfront town Hub and I take to celebrate my BD and we are away for 3 days in the midst of everything else. The family get-togethers increase due to those birthdays, as well as extra grandkid childcare so mom and dad can do Santa shopping, and our traditional family Christmas Eve and Christmas Day gathering. It can feel like a whirlwind. This year it feels like fun. Is this how normal people have always done December?
I think being retired has helped calm the storm. Not having to work, not having office parties, not buying extra gifts for co-workers, etc. is a relief. Our family now exchanges names instead of buying gifts for each person (except the grandkids, of course) and that eases the shopping burden. Hub and I never exchange gifts, feeling we have enough and those solar panels on the roof this year are gift enough.
And we are selective about what special holiday activities we do. Last week we went to dinner and a musical performance "A Celtic Christmas" with friends. Next week we will do the annual Luminary River Walk (lighted luminaries along the riverfront trail -- a festive community event). Our trip will be restful and fun, as always. That's about it this year, even though I've seen dozens more cool-sounding holiday performances and activities that we could do. I've learned that piling one outing atop the other in an overabundance of "joy" just makes me tired and cranky.
Maybe the key to finding holiday peace is to scale it all way back and find that peace not in the doing but in the being. This year has been a time of deep reflection, a lot of grief, a lot of joy, learning, growing, finding unexpected connection, and growing community among family and friends. I'm grateful for all of that and that's what I'll focus on this season. It's what I should have focused on all along.
At least, that's the view from here...©
I'll bet not having thanksgiving at your house factors in to your not getting burned early on Christmas activities. What ever the reason hope it continues .
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