Did you hear? It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Part 2 of 3 by Robyn Lea

This is the second in a three-part series by Robyn Lea talking about the holiday season.

Did you hear? It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

By: Robyn Lea

Today, let’s jump right back in to this topic and talk about excess.  The excess of the season can create so many problems for us.  I believe, because we feel down, bad, depressed…whatever you choose to call it…we are more inclined to spend too much on gifts for people.  We buy just one more thing or we buy very expensive things and then we end up buying too many things.  The result is we end up spending too much in a short period of time and find ourselves in a financial strain. Rein it in.  Think about making small, meaningful gifts for people. One year a friend of mine took an orange, stuck whole cloves in it in a creative pattern, tied a ribbon around it and gave it to me. I hung it in my kitchen and as the orange dried up, the mingling of the orange and the cloves was glorious. One of my most favorite gifts ever—and I loved that she made it!  Personal, homemade, handmade gifts are the best!

Oh, and what about “event excess.” Every day I look at the events listed in and around our community. There are so many fun things to do, so many parties to attend, so many nativities to drive through, so many things for children to do, so many music programs…and then, it gets to be way too much. I want the holidays to be quiet, reflective, personal. It’s unlikely you will see me at any of those events around town.  I choose 3 events each season and attend those.  What about you?  Are you going to EVERYTHING?  What are you teaching your children about the holidays?  

Scale it back.  Choose a few events.  Spend time with your closest family and friends.

Hold on to the magic of the season for your children by choosing one breakfast with Santa, one nativity, one day of shopping—strike that balance for your family and don’t be swayed by others into over-committing.

In the third article, we will think about commercialism and Christmas.  

Did You Hear?  It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

By: Robyn Lea