Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
Resisting the Season
My daughter informed me a few days ago that there were only 51 days until Christmas. Translation: “You’d better get crackin’ on that holiday shopping.”
But I’m resisting. I’m aware of the slippery slope I find myself on when I start too early. They want one thing, which I dutifully buy, but sometimes it changes again before Christmas. I also sometimes fall into the “evening up” trap: I spent more on his Xbox, so I feel I should get her a little something else, but then I need to get him something else, too, so they have an even number of packages to unwrap.
Feh. No more. They’re too old, and more importantly, I am too old. I want to spend the holidays relaxing, making and eating great food, being with my family and friends. I don’t want to feel stressed, run up the credit card bills or clutter up my house.
So how to resist?
I like to have a plan. It’s also a good idea to have a budget. I make a list. I have a few favorite places I like to hit after Thanksgiving. I stay on task. I’ll stick with my made-in-the-USA theme for the grown-ups, and I’ll try to honor one “big wish” for each kid. But I have boundaries. I’m not standing on any crazy lines (thus my younger son’s SUPREME dream went unfulfilled last year. Surprisingly, he seems okay.) If I’ve already bought and wrapped the thing someone had to have on December 1, they can’t expect wish fulfillment if they switch it up on December 20th.
I’m not particularly religious, but it’s still helpful to focus on the meaning of the holidays. Whether you’re celebrating the birth of Jesus or the festival of lights, (both in my house), it’s good to remember that the purpose is not to have an annual free-for-all meant to thrust corporate balance sheets into the black.
So stick to your guns, your list and your budget—and remember, a little bit of cynicism at the mall can keep the keep things smaller and more meaningful at home.