I don’t know if this is something that only happens to me, but December just started and I am already tired of Christmas music and Christmas stuff ALL OVER THE PLACE! I still haven’t put up Christmas decorations or a Christmas tree in my house… could it be that I am truly a Grinch or have I simply lost the Christmas spirit? Normally I love this time of year, to give and receive, to share and interact with family and friends, time off work which usually means nice vacations, the cold weather, snow and lots and lots of food (I love eating!)!
But is it right that I should feel invaded by Christmas when summer hasn’t even come to an end yet? They start filling up the stores with Christmas stuff earlier and earlier every year. Weeks ago, the pharmacies and stores were already filled with people buying Christmas decorations and Christmas presents, and don’t even get me started on the craziness that is Black Friday!! Really what is this time of year supposed to be representing? Is this the time to give and receive or is this the time to have expectations and stress because of an enormous list of presents for kids, friends, family, school teachers, grandchildren and probably another 10 people more, I can’t forget to put myself on that list as well (after all I have been a very good girl this year), and lets not forget all the sales and the people buying everything that is humanly possible!
In conclusion, while I am deciding what I am going to do with my “Grinchiness” and/or waiting for the Christmas spirit to once again invade my heart, I am going to take the following steps to help it along:
- Take out my old Christmas decorations from years past, and try to create something new with them. Using my upcycling powers, I will hopefully breathe new life into the stuff I already have laying around my house. I don’t want to wake up the day before Christmas Eve in a panic, trying to put decorations up everywhere so my house doesn’t look so sad when my friends and family arrive.
- Make a list of all the people that I need to buy presents for so that I am not buying things without having in mind exactly what I want to get each person. This will make my time in the stores much more productive. Also, I am going to try to make more of my own gifts this year instead of buying everything new.
- I am not going to pressure myself to make my “Grinchiness” go away, when I am not thinking about it I’m sure that I will want to start seeing all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood or go see the trees decorated in the stores and parks, and take pictures with them. After all, would Christmas really be the same without the Grinch? J
- Lastly, when all else fails and I don’t know what else to do, I am going to try to help someone else! Helping others is something that makes Christmas time some incredible. It gives me clarity and the strength to take the next steps necessary. It helps me not be so selfish and think just about myself. Sharing what you have with others or helping others is a great way to show your appreciation for all of the blessings that we receive every day.
I hope that amongst all the chaos, we can find a way to remember what this season is really about, but until then……
