Christmas is here! Although the holiday season elicits cheers and excitement especially among children, some people feel stressed, nauseated, and overwhelmed by just the thought of it. Why is it so? Isn’t Christmas supposed to be fun and jovial?
Nowadays, Christmas has been so commercialized that many children yearn for the latest, expensive gadgets. Some kids, even toddlers who can barely understand the value of money, swim in a pool of high-tech toys, shiny tablets and computers, designer clothes, and even glitzy iphones.
Such display of lavish gift-giving and extravagant spending somehow dampens the true spirit of Christmas. This season is designed to commemorate the birth of Jesus, and the humility and simplicity that go with it. And not to show signs of excess and indulgence.
No wonder. Some people get stressed just trying to keep up, and some families go over and beyond their budget for trying to please others.
How can we keep our Christmas hassle-free?
Keep it simple
Establish a budget and only spend what you can afford. Avoid overindulging your family and friends with costly gifts that will unavoidably hurt your wallet. If you dare to be creative, you can create unique and yet meaningful gifts (such as watercolor painting, an original poem or a song) instead. Since some expensive toys lose their novelty as soon as they’re unwrapped, only buy those that kids will use and enjoy for many weeks and months to come.
Don’t overdecorate. Avoid fancy Christmas lights and decors that transform your home into a grand hotel lobby overnight. Of course, you want to impress others. But eventually, you’re the only one who should pay the electric bills. Besides, you have to put them away one by one after Christmas is over. By then, you will be too tired to move.
Establish your priority
I’m sure you’ve been invited to so many Christmas parties. During the season, everyone wants a piece of you. And it’s hard to keep up with overpowering demands. Unfortunately, you only have one body to go around and you can’t be everywhere at the same time.
Focus on your immediate family and spend quality time with those who are dear to your heart. If you decide to attend parties, family gatherings should be your main interest. This is a much better choice than driving around, visiting so many families and friends who live about 50 to 100 kms. apart, and spend only a few minutes with each of them.
Maintain meaningful tradition
Every family and culture has established its own unique approach of celebrating Christmas. In many ways, traditions are important since they strengthen family attachment and keep memories intact. During this time, songs, gift-giving, prayers, laughter, storytelling, food, and games become significant elements.
Although repetitive, such traditions still evoke the feelings of belonging, of family, of being one with the Holy creator.
Whatever you do, your celebration should be as momentous and as simple as the birth of Jesus. Make closeness and improved communication the main emphasis of family reunions. Ensure the true spirit of Christmas — humility and not arrogance, charity and not greed, love and not hatred, joy and not sorrow, praise and not criticism, forgiveness and not blameworthiness — should remain the focal point of the festivity.
Happy holidays!