Planning for a Meaningful Christmas, part 2

Yesterday I sent the first of 3 posts that I’m hoping with help you flourish with joy instead of collapse with exhaustion this Christmas.

Day 1 was “Provide for Your Soul”.

As someone who lives in a state where we’ve already had a couple of snowfalls, I know there is lots to get done.

How do you separate the “have to’s” from the “get to’s” from the “want to’s” from the “can’t afford’s”?

Day 2 – Plan

• Get out your calendar and put in just the commitments that are absolutely necessary.

• Have a conversation with your people (maybe around the dinner table tonight?) about their expectations and hopes. 

• Ask: What is one thing that you want to make sure happens for YOU? What is one thing that you want to make sure happens for others? (like your kids)

• Ask yourself: What boundaries do you need to put in place – social, physical, emotional? Are there people in your family (very young or very old) that may be more vulnerable to Covid or have other physical limitations?

 Examples:

• What do you need to say “no” to NOW? (don’t put it off – it’s not fair to others)

• What can you delegate?

• What choices can you offer? If you are trying to divide time between in-laws or other family members, decide on 2 options that will work for your immediate family and communicate those early. This is like dealing with a toddler. 😂You have control over what works for you, but you give your extended family choices.

• Make healthy pre-choices like
  •  committing to a date after which you won’t shop.
  •  committing to just 3 gifts per child as a reminder of the 3 gifts of the wisemen 
  • putting limits on use of devices and social media
  • committing to getting outside for a walk every day or other healthy habits

That’s it for me today! What would you add? Put your thoughts in the comments!