Enjoy the Holiday More – It’s Your Time to Jingle
Have you ever noticed the expression on a three-year old’s face when they sing Jingle Bells complete with jingling percussive accompaniment? Priceless smiles and joy-filled enthusiasm!
It was one of my favorite parts of teaching pre-school music every year.
Now I know you have looked at your calendar and realized that Christmas Eve is only 10 days away. There is a lump (of coal) in your throat and that annual feeling of panic is beginning to settle over you.
Relax!
I’m here to share a secret I wish I had learned years ago. You may or may not believe me, it all depends upon how you are wired. I wouldn’t have believed me when I was trying to be “Super-mom” and do it all . . . by myself!
The secret . . . jingle! Don’t worry if you don’t get every little thing done. Have fun!!
Some things to let go of to help you jingle:
Abundant Cookie Baking – Does it really matter if you only bake four kinds of cookies and you don’t have time to bake eight. Buy a dozen or two. No one will care. Their favorite will taste just as good if you bake it in January as a special surprise.
Fair Gift Giving – Are you worried because you have six presents for Suzie and only five for Jimmy? You know they’re keeping count! Save one of Suzie’s presents for Epiphany and shop the after Christmas sales for a gift for Jimmy. They’ll be just as happy getting an extra present on January 6th!
Consider starting a gift closet that you fill with treasures all year long. It’s great when you need a last-minute gift for an unexpected birthday party or one of those any day celebration.
Perfect Christmas cards – I gave myself permission to stop sending them years ago. I only mail afew to family members out of town. I hug the people I see on a regular basis, and email or FB the rest. I have friends who send out Epiphany cards, or Valentine’s cards, even Easter cards. Who says your annual card has to be sent in December?
Flamboyant Christmas Decorating – Each year I question whether I will decorate, and I always break down and do it anyway. I enjoy Christmas decorations and know I’d really miss them if I chose to go without. However, I do put them up earlier than I used to, and I don’t use as many. Both things help me “jingle.”
Over-Scheduled Visiting and Entertaining – Holiday gatherings for a family of four or five, or even for a couple, can get overwhelming. Calendars are often filled by the end of October. So when that last-minute invitation arrives . . . Aggghhh!!
Relax! It’s okay if you can’t attend everything you’re invited to. Sit down with your family and plan the calendar together. Let each person have a say about what’s most important to them. BUT… make a rule that everyone will spend at least one or two nights a week at home together. Sure your kids will protest, but those will be the nights they remember when they are grown and have families of their own.
That’s my list!
What do you think? Will you consider “jingling” with me? Let’s make today the day we start anticipating Jesus Birthday Celebration like a child . . . with a priceless smile and joy-filled enthusiasm!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
What would you add to the jingle list?
Don’t forget to Pin this for later…
I’m coming to terms with not doing cards this year. Ran out of time and money ……….
It’s okay Julie! Make a few more phone calls and wish your friends a Blessed Christmas on social media. Then give lots of hugs to those you see. It’s only hard the first year. And remember you can always send a few notes after the first of the year when things settle down a bit. Enjoy a blessing-filled Christmas celebration!
Jingling all the way with you! 🙂
(I will be in the mountains the rest of the week, so probably won’t catch your blog, Deb.)
Blessings!
Oh Martha, enjoy your time away. It sounds wonderfully relaxing. God bless!
This is such a lovely reminder to slow down and really take in the season rather than making it “perfect”. My family has been way too busy the past couple of weeks and it just needs to stop. Our kids are only little for so long and if we stay on the track we are I know we won’t remember any of it. Thank you for sharing.
It’s so hard not to want to “do it all.” We work so hard to make Christmas perfect for everyone that we end up exhausted. I remembering doing that too many times. My goal for the rest of this year and going forward is to be more intentional in the way I use my time. Definitely not easy for this Sanguine with ADD. But it is worth working for… God’s blessings to you!
Just call me Jingle Belle…:)
Thanks for the smile Lisa! Or should I say, Jingle Belle! 🙂
My husband and I were just talking about this yesterday. We need to sit back and take time to actually enjoy the holidays. Otherwise, what is the point! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
I often remember how long the season seemed when I was a child. Since the responsibilities became mine it flies by. I working to become intentional about enjoying this beautiful time of the year and not just doing what has to be done. Enjoy a wonderful and blessings Christmas.
Deb, Thank you for these great reminders of what really matters. I’m thinking this year, I will be downsizing my Christmas card list. It appears that others have done similarly.
Blessings,
Kim