Finally, I'm back on a normal schedule again. I'm ready for this next 30 day challenge starting today! Every year the holidays tend to creep up on us, then we find ourselves all stressed out. Time flies faster than expected, we didn't get as much done as we'd hoped, and everything seems to be keeping us overwhelmed with busyness, right up to the last minute. This year, let's start the fall season right. Let's take a day to figure out what we want for/from/out of the holidays. I would say I'm a minimalist and working at it every day, but I'm not quite ready to say people should just have zero fun, no decorations, no planned family events and parties, let the kids learn how to live without expectations of Christmas (or whatever other holidays you celebrate), etc. I am however, willing to adapt my holidays to fit a more simple lifestyle. One without an excess of the unnecessary. Are you willing to go there with me for the next 30 days? Here's today's challenge:
Think about what you want the holidays to look like this year - and figure out if it could use a little more simplicity.
1. Gather your family (household/roommates/extended family/whatever you want) and discuss what are everyone's favorite things about or parts of the holidays that you definitely want to stick to. Make a list so they can be incorporated into the holiday plans.
2. Then discuss what things in the past everyone does NOT like. Maybe there's a family tradition that the kids have outgrown and they wish you'd stop doing it, lol. Perhaps a destination or cruise event would be better? As our kids got older, we decided Thanksgiving wouldn't be a big, loud, family thing anymore. Instead, we opt for a quiet, plated, candlelight dinner before those last 4 weeks of craziness and crowded stores.
3. Does anyone have any memories of the holidays at someone else's house and they did something your family could add or benefit from doing? Maybe something found on Pinterest or an article? Maybe a cookie swap or something new to try? Be creative. In our home, we do a Victorian tree every other year since I've spent a lifetime collecting Victorian ornaments, many that invoke memories for each of us. In the off years, we pick a theme - beach, Greek, Mexican, Scottish, Italian, Baseball, etc. We integrate the theme into our tree, menu, gift wrap colors, and decorations. Just don't go overboard buying a bunch of things you don't need - nothing that's just "stuff" or clutter. A few pieces that can be reused or remade into something else later on work just fine. Don't waste money.
4. Have everyone come up with one food they'd like at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whatever you'll be celebrating. Then everyone can have their favorite food(s) there and no one's spending hours on something no one likes nor wants.
5. Decide how you feel about gift-giving. I really want to try to give non-material gifts whenever possible this year. Experiences like tickets, lessons, etc. are going to be remembered and used long after the "shiny new thing" becomes just clutter around the house, or stuck in a closet/garage somewhere. If you need ideas for this, check out previous posts on gift ideas. I know I've posted at least a few times about them during Minimalism and Living Simply challenges in July and August.
Once you've gotten the plans down, just be done for the day and enjoy each other's company. Share a meal, a dessert, or a drink. Don't stress over the plans you've listed out - just let them sit so you have time to think about them, make necessary changes, and in the end, you'll have a less-stressed more simple holiday season. Good luck!
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