Enjoy Christmas Day
Enjoy Christmas Day
21. Bake bustle and bedeck
it takes work, but like labor (as in childbirth) it s one of the times when your work really pays off big time. The point is that it is different, so let it be different. Fill the house with the smell of ginger, chocolate and cinnamon. Go out in the yard, cut holly and greens and drape them everywhere drapable. Put reindeer horns on the dog, mistletoe in the office break room, a big red bow on the mailbox, and definitely a big wreath on the front of your car.
And while you re at it, make a tiny scarf or tiny Santa cap for the Jack on your antenna. Wear a Christmas tie, Santa earrings, a decorated sweater and jingle bells on your ankles (use the dog collar). Bustle, do more, get in the spirit. Yes, you re busy. You re busy doing wonderful and fun things, and your heart can be full of the people you re doing this for.
22. Spread good cheer
Many people do have a hard time with the holidays. If you don t, let your light shine on the corners of others darkness. When I hear someone say, I can t handle this, or I m overwhelmed, or There s too much to do and I m tired. Aren t you? I bellow out good and loud NOT ME.
23. Its only commercialized if you let it be
Everything in life is commercialized . Or not. My dear friend Ann McGlone told me years ago what fun she had figuring out the greatest vacation on the least amount of money. She was incredibly creative about it and I had the good fortune to do many events for charities with her, and I adopted her ways and applied them broadly. I recommend it.
24. Christmas works on any budget
Yes, it s hard if you re really facing a hardcandy Christmas, but it s at those times that we re often at our best. Stripped of our lucre power, we are left with us imperial, proud and true. In truth, the things you DO with people, and the way you ARE with people are the greatest gifts you can ever give, and they are increasingly rare.
25. The perfect gift
Giving of yourself. It requires no money whatsoever. What s demanding about going out and buying her a sapphire ring? On the other hand, would you take the time, effort, and empathy to create an occasion designed for her enjoyment, which for any man, woman or child would be a time of your unconditional, undivided, unadulterated attention?
26. Love yourself and love the season but focus on others
My many years raising funds for charities gave me a unique opportunity to see it s really true it s the giver who gets the gift.It is great fun to sit down and think about who really needs some help. Mita s husband is in Iraq. Babysit for her one Saturday so she can go shop for the kids and have lunch out with a friend. Give a Christmas party for the kids down at the shelter. (Tip Buy the very best candy, not the cheap bag stuff. The difference will be all yours.)Make homemade dog biscuits and deliver them to the animal shelter. If you re of another faith, volunteer to staff the homeless shelter Christmas Eve, or to staff the hospital ER Christmas Day. Put a jinglebell collar on your lovable Lab and take her to the nursing home. Call the dear octogenarian at your church and make a date to take her for a drive to look at Christmas lights and enjoy a little hot chocolate and Russian tea cakes with you afterwards.
27. Find the sacred moments and dont be afraid to cry
The joyous part we talk about, but when you sit down finally at the end of a long day in your rocker in front of the beautiful Christmas tree to rest for a moment and enjoy the beauty, and put on your Luciano Pavorotti video and listen to him sing that duet with his arm around that precious little boy who looks up at him as he hits the high notes, innocently and easily, as little boys do, and the tears well up as you remember such a little boy who now has whiskers on his cheeks and is 6 2 and has a little boy of his own, let them. It s an emotional time. That s what memories are made of.
28. Love the Scrooges
They are there and you will hear them. There are people for whom there s always something wrong with something, and this is just the next something. Same issue, new venue. Get your mantras ready. Here s one I use, with my big holiday smile That s okay. I ll enjoy it for you then, and get twice as much fun out of it As if it were a zerosum universe.
29. It isnt an intellectual debate
You ll hear it Should someone who isn t Christian celebrate Christmas? Should we also do Hanukkah? Have we materialized Christmas so it has lost its meaning? Will we offend someone? Is it a religious celebration or is it secular ?My answer to this is, I m at peace with my maker and my fellow man in my heart, I understand my way is not the only way, I see that nearly every culture celebrates something this time of year for a reason and why on earth would you pass up any opportunity, ever, to celebrate, spread joy, enjoy one another, give and receive, eat, drink and be merry, and yes, worship?? Whatever face it wears, bring it on
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