Let's face it — the holidays aren't always a delight for all of us. Whether it's financial stress, love or loss, or any number of life's small (or large) misfortunes, the holidays can feel like more of a burden than a blessing. Well I'm here to help you buck up and de-Scrooge…
• Slow down and visit a while. When I was a kid, my grandma used to go visitin' people. She'd drive over to her friend's houses and sit with them for awhile. They'd enjoy a cup of coffee, have a little conversation, and then she'd be off. In this technological age, when was the last time you went visitin'? Sit a spell, why don't you? Get to know your friends and loved ones face to face again!
• Be thankful for what you have. Yes, life can really feel like it sucks sometimes – especially in this iffy economy. By taking a moment to take stock of what you have, rather than what you lack, you can feel like the richest person in the world.
• Soak up the sights and sounds of the season. You think you're feeling depressed now? Wait until mid-January, when all the twinkly lights have been taken down and everyday feels like a cold and dark Monday morning. So put your thoughts aside and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. Give in to the music, oooh and ahhh at the trees and lights.
• Do something for someone else. Bake some cookies for your neighbors. Have a thermos of hot cocoa waiting for your mail carrier. Doing something for someone else will take your mind off your own worries and give them a boost, too! Everybody wins!
• Celebrate forgotten traditions. Those dealing with loss can find the holidays particularly painful. The memories of past holidays spent with loved ones can be a tough reminder that they're no longer with us. Take a night to re-live your memories. Celebrate an old tradition and think of the past fondly ... even if through tears.
Image: Jason Loper
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Any idea where is the bottle tree located?
Well, I've just made my 2012 resolution early. I'm going to re-learn how to "sit a spell" with some old and new friends. The gift of community costs little and gives a lot.
This post was spot on what we needed. Thanks!
Thankfully I don't have painful holiday memories, but when my dad was growing up, I'm sure his mother (single, with *8* children) dreaded Christmas. My mom told me this story two years ago and I think it's one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever gotten. One year my grandma had absolutely nothing to spare for presents, so each child in my dad's family literally got a lump of coal. My dad opened his stocking and told my grandma how much he loved his coal. He grew up to be a very successful man and, even though he was raised without his, the best dad in the world. We were aware that he struggled in his childhood, but he didn't make a point of bringing it up or using it as an example of how much better our lives are by comparison. He was (and is) able to give his children and wife a loving, comfortable life. This is a gift to himself as much as it has been to us, and knowing this story makes me so much more thankful to have a dad like him.
@ErinPJ - wow - that brought tears to my eyes!
hmmm, is this Chicago's Lakeview East Festival of the Arts? How about some credit for Lucy Slivinski and her beautiful bottle trees!
ErinPJ - such a touching story. Your dad sounds like a wonderful person.
Christmas and New Year is bitter sweet time for me ever since my mom passed away on Jan 6th a few years ago. Every year I re-live the events and emotions. But it helps to be with family to remember her, and create new memories with my own daughter.
I love the suggestions to visit people and to do something for others, and remember how much you really have.
Thank you all for kind comments-they made my day!....I am grateful for all I have.
That is the first non-tacky, not-ugly bottle tree I have ever seen. And I live in the south, so I see a lot of them. Big thumbs up to Lucy Slivinski or whoever made them. I wouldn't have believed it possible to make a bottle tree lovely.
I live in Worcester, MA where we just lost a firefighter to an apartment fire Wednesday night. One of our neighbors is a firefighter, and his car was not parked in their driveway Thursday morning when I checked. I don't have their email address or phone number, and actually stood in my living room thinking, should I just GO over there and check? I decided to walk my butt over there, and his wife opened the door, new baby in arms, and said, "Jason's okay." But it was a guy in Jason's firehouse, so she was upset. We hugged, and I told her to let us know what we could do. I was struck by how an email or a voicemail would not have been anywhere close to as vibrant and meaningful as that tiny visit was. It's a New Year's resolution for me too--personally connect more often.
I like this a lot ,This year I'm refleceting on living to the full ,and being grateful for being able to see Xmas this year . I love the the sit and visist for a while , you are so right ,people don't do that like they used to .
I must admit that last year and this year the holidays have been hard for me for a variety of reasons. I am trying to keep my spirits up by putting up and enjoying my holiday decorations. I'm hosting a holiday open house next weekend, which should be a great time to just spend with friends.
Cute ideas! I love the reminder to connect with people on a personal level... I might have to go-a-vistiting this weekend!
Thanks Rucy and Velourcat. My dad IS an amazing person and I'm blessed to have him.
ErinPJ, your dad and mine are cut from the same cloth. Thanks for sharing. My dad is fantastic, too.
Denial works too. Last year I was losing my home to foreclosure and I simply put it out of mind as much as possible during the holidays. I had done everything I could to try to save my home and nothing worked. I wasn't going to let misfortune get the best of me. I spent time with family and friends and prepared to move on to a new phase of my life. My friends rock. They were there for me and my kids every step of the way. I really couldn't have gotten through it without their support.
Katemc , that was a strong and wonderful thing for you to do..NOT knowing what you would find..that did mean a lot to your neighbor..new baby in arms..I live in the area as well and we alll just REAAAAAALLY need to hunker down and get real..make an effort to focus on the family, friends and anyone in our lives that make all the junk stay in the background..we're just not used to being this way...and It's hard to not get caught up in all the frazzle and b.s and then the Holiday week is gone...and it IS that ratty and cold january..wishing my apt ther world friends the best and happiest....little things..tiny things and hugggge happiness..
this hol is great, cos im recently married. but my guy celebrates with the fam, unlike me (how i party like a rock star) hope i survive. =(
Nobody but nobody messes with my Christmas. Having grown up with a father who abandoned his family every Christmas except for one when he went postal over we kids laughing too much and threw the Christmas tree, lights, decorations and all out the door and into a snowbank. My first relly great Christmas was the year he died. So now I make Christmas as amazing as I can for my family.
Lol CanadianTired although in a completely respectful way. My Christmas also is about making Christmas as amazing as I can now for the people who matter to me. Long distance attempts to bicker with me by family are not going to mess with it. I take the high road, wish em the best, and continue to enjoy the season. I do one thing a day that is for someone else. The Japanese say "one kind word warms three cold months".
I needed to see this today. Past few days actually. Thanks to everyone before me for their memories and suggestions.
I'm keeping this list somewhere. It's good for the holidays but it seems that the ideas suggested would be a good reminder for every day. Thanks Jason.