" Holiday ... "

Everybody spread the word

We're gonna have a celebration

All across the world

In every nation

It's time for the good times

Forget about the bad times, oh yeah

One day to come together

To release the pressure

We need a holiday

You can turn this world around

And bring back all of those happy days

Put your troubles down

It's time to celebrate

Let love shine

And we will find

A way to come together

And make things better

We need a holiday

Holiday Celebrate

Holiday Celebrate

~ Madonna ~ Holiday ~

***

Holidays ... magical traditions to be savored.  At least that is what we are force fed by mass media.  Plus thanks to this season’s high expectations, holiday stress has become an acceptable tradition too.

So what brings this on? ... Well most of us tend to over commit instead of enjoying the moment.  As well, we may overload ourselves with inherited traditions that no longer fit our lives.  Because really ... do you really have only home-made baking, can't you just start your own traditions?

The spirit of the holidays is gratitude and giving ...

Of course it is so satisfying to support those we love and do something positive for our community.  Yet the conflict arises when we continually agree to things that please everyone but ourselves ... when we commit to task for which we have no time or desire.

The secret to cutting holiday stress is just saying no ...

When we continually agree to every demand that comes our way, we lose the joy in the effort.  We lose the entire reason for doing.  But when we know our priorities, we can turn down the less important things and focus on what matters most to us.  

Some ways to reduce your holiday stress include:

• Decide on which events you want to attend ahead of time
• Draw names for a gift exchange or buy one gift for the household
• Pool your money and invest in a professionally done family portrait with prints for everyone
• Rather than gift exchange, enjoy a holiday get away with the family
• Rather than gift exchange, donate to a charity 
• Have a potluck Christmas dinner to lighten the cooking load

Really, the list can continue ... when you put your mind to it, you can come up with many ways to lighten the load.  And chances are your ideas will be a relief for everyone, allowing them to meet realistic expectations and turn the holidays back to Christmas from Stress-mas ... and who knows, you may start up a new tradition in the process.