Simplify the Season
Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list: bake
cookies, buy and make gifts, attend office party, church
commitments, address and mail cards, clean the house for guests,
decorate...it goes on and on....
The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and family
celebration. But all the running around we do can zap the fun.
Here are some ideas to simplify the season.
Gift Giving: * Purchase a family gift rather than gifts for
individuals. * For extended families, draw a member's name out
of a hat and give only one gift. Limit the present amount. *
Make soup, beverage or cookie mixes. Package in a pretty jar or
container with instructions attached. * Have family members
create a wishlist on amazon.com so there's no guessing what they
want, purchasing is easy, and there are no trips to the crowded
mall. * Start a collection. For example, a few years ago I began
purchasing nativity set figurines for my mother. Each year she
gets a new item to add to her collection. Again, no guessing - I
always know what to buy for her.
In the Kitchen: * Early in the season make a really big batch of
chili. Freeze in individual serving size containers. Great for
those nights when you are too tired to cook. * Large families
still gathering at Mom's for the big dinner, but the children
have grown up? Hold a potluck feast so that the cooking is
shared by everyone. * Host a cookie swap. Invite 6-12 friends
over asking them to bring a dozen cookies per invitee. Exchange
varieties. Each participant only bakes one type of cookie, but
goes home with all sorts of treats. * Purchase frozen pre-shaped
cookies from the freezer section of stores like Sam's Club or
Gordon Food Service.
Wishing you a peaceful season.