Preparing For The Holidays

It seems like once November hits and September passes. It is time to start thinking about the holidays as they are quickly approaching. Fall is about to be over and winter will be here before we know it. Thanksgiving is on the horizon and of course the most wonderful time of the year Christmas is about to be here.

I do understand the holidays can be a very troubling time for many people. But it is also a time of hope, family, love and traditions. An opportunity to share that love with others who might appreciate the tender care and consideration.

Starting Our Own Family

The holidays is the time I take to value the relationships I have as well as the time I use to reflect and think about my life. As a newlywed, who is slowly maturing and growing as a woman. I find myself wanting to create a home. Wanting to make a safe place where we lay our head and create intimate moments.

Childhood Christmas

That’s the lovely thing about branching off to your own family. You get to build onto old family traditions and add in your own family traditions. I remember Christmas being the highlight of our year as a family. My dad would spend weeks designing the lights and layout of the Christmas decorations. We also had Christmas parties where all my aunts and cousins would come.

My sisters and I would sing and entertain all the uncles and aunts. My older sister was the opening act and played the violin, my younger sister played the big flute. And I of course danced, sung and acted a fool for my performance. I would have comedian skits and make everyone laugh. My parents always highlighted all of our special and unique talents. And we’re very proud of us.

I also remember my neighbors having Christmas parties and we would attend those parties every year as well. Growing up in the 90s was a different experience from what I see children have now. It was blissful childhood and our neighbors were like family. We knew every single person in the neighborhood and no one was a stranger. There was exactly 75 houses in the neighborhood and we all knew each other. I grew up in a neighborhood fool of housewife’s and the typical suburban life you see in the movies. Nonetheless it was a beautiful neighborhood and so many good memories.

WWJD

Now that I’m all grown up and no longer the child that is just embracing all of the magic in the holidays. I’m realizing that it was my parents and the adults who made Christmas special. Of course as a Christian I know it’s the story of Jesus that makes this occasion so special. But we can’t deny adults who make it magical.

Do y’all remember that armband WWJD? I took that bracelet seriously. Christmas grounds me and reminds me to focus and think about all the goodness and promises the lord provides. I know it’s my spiritual life and relationship with Christ that helps me appreciate my life and as well as pushes me to be a better human-being. I know without that guidance I would be lost.

Thanksgiving And Christmas

We can get lost in all the ideas and festivities of the holidays. Such as what we are going to eat on Thanksgiving or how we are going to decorate this year. Or what we are going to wear and where we are going to go, and what activities we will partake in. Trust me I love all those things and think about those things constantly. But in the back of my mind I am thinking about other things. Such as how can I consciously show the people I appreciate and care for I love and value them?

Giving Thank You Cards

Every year I think about buying thank you cards and giving them to various and random people who are in my life, who I appreciate it can be strangers as well. For example where we live we have people who get our trash every night. They are hardworking couple and they show up every night for the last 4 years we have been living here.

It is my hope to leave them a thank you note for with a small gift in the card. I recognize good people when I see them. And I know a little bit about their family. They have young adults with them and have a close nit family. I hope to let them know I see them, not that they need me to see them. But I noticed how people have their notions on the working class. And to me honest work is always respectable.

I also would love to give thank you notes to a coworker who has taught me or trained me. Or any who I feel has showed up for me. I feel that Thanksgiving will be a great opportunity for me to take the time to thank them if I already have not made it known. Think about people who are in your life either casually and personally and ask yourself who could you give a thank you note to?

Baking Treats

Another fun and exciting thing I like to do for the holidays is bake. I want to bake cakes, cookies, pies and all the goodness. I like to give them to my neighbors, my parents, friends and family. I never had the time to pass them out during Christmas but I always wanted to. Hopefully if I prepare well enough maybe one year I can drop off baked goods on my day off for the holidays to some of my friends and family. Some might think that it is a waste of time, money and is extra. But I know when I get treats from friends and family during the holidays. It’s such a delight and feels like a warm cozy hug. I love the simple pleasures in life.

Enjoying The Holidays

One of the family traditions I have is hosting Christmas Eve at our place. I noticed that once it became a task I slowly started getting overwhelmed and Christmas started to feel like a hassle. I got stressed with buying all these gifts and prepping to host. So I changed some of the rules and opted for simple gifts and only buying 1 person a gift depending on your Secret Santa. Now I make sure to not allow myself to get overwhelmed and plan earlier so it won’t feel like a burden. I want to enjoy the anticipation of waiting for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the magical moments that come before the big days and on the actual days.

Overall, I try to stay present, thankful and grateful that I am here another year and able to create more special memories. I love that I get to spend time with my family and friends embracing the year that is almost over and looking forward to a new year. Mostly what the holidays means to me is having intentional time with the people I love and care for. And I hope that’s what the holidays mean to you as well.