Seven Ways to Avoid Christmas Letdown
I was discussing Christmas letdown with a friend. After all the
preparation and money and time spent for one day, she feels the
day let her down. Instead of a day of joy and happiness, it is a
day of exhaustion and depression. Here are some ways to prevent
that lacking feeling.
Have realistic expectations. If all of our focus, for six weeks
or more, is to make one day perfect, it is no wonder we feel
disappointed. We have set ourselves a goal which cannot be met.
Focus on what Christmas day means. Traditionally, Christmas
stands for a time of happiness, peace and joy. Try and notice
the positive going on around you and decide how you want this
season to be for you.
Don't blow the budget. Set an amount of money that you can
afford to spend and stick to it. Even small children can be a
part of this. Explain to them that Santa can only give a few
things on each list because there are so many children, in the
world. Look up a census of different countries so they can get
an idea of the huge amount of children that Santa has to deliver
toys to. Trying to please everyone, with the perfect gift that
we cannot afford, sets us up for long term buyer's remorse.
Try carpool shopping. Set a time to go to the mall with friends.
Fit as many friends as are legally safe in a car. Branch out
once you get there and agree to meet a few hours later. Have a
cup of hot chocolate or coffee and share your experiences with
one another. During the holidays, it is often difficult to make
time for friends and still accomplish all that we want. Carpool
shopping encompasses both.
Take a fifteen minute break, for yourself. Paint your nails.
Read a chapter of a book that you have been wanting to read. Lay
back for fifteen minutes and listen to soothing music or
Christmas carols. Practice fifteen minutes of yoga. A common
complaint is that we never have time to take fifteen minutes out
of our day, for us. However, you will find that if you make the
time, the rest of your day will go more smoothly.
Remind yourself that giving does not always involve money.
Loneliness, in the elderly, is most acute at this time of year.
Take an elderly friend shopping or invite them to your house.
Give extra canned food to a food bank or volunteer at a soup
kitchen. Involve the whole family in these activities. The
reward to our emotional health that these activities provide is
priceless.
Take a look at the gift of Christmas past. Take an accounting of
your "ah" moments which you have experienced in past
Christmases. Was it the wonderful meal, baking cookies or the
look on your child's face when he/she saw the tree? In your mind
smell the smells, see the colors, hear the sounds and savor
those moments. Now, choose three "ah" moments and give them
priority, in planning this year's Christmas. Don't worry about
any of the other details of Christmas. If you can produce three
"ah" moments, it will be a Christmas worth remembering.
Stay in the moment. Sometimes we get so far ahead in our
planning that we lose the minute, the hour and the day. The
Christmas season encompasses more than one day, so don't make it
about only one day. Enjoy the unfolding of the Christmas season.
Practice just a few of these strategies. You will not only avoid
the Christmas letdown but find that you enjoyed this Christmas
season more.