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MUSINGS ON LIFE
I think; therefore, I muse
 
DIANE HUGHES • NASHVILLE, TN
WRITER, EDITOR, CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL

Dear Santa ... (Or how to plan the perfect Christmas and avoid holiday stress)

12/11/2011

11 Comments

 

Dear Santa ...

christmas cookies, stress-free holiday, holiday stress tips, Christmas cookiesMartha Stewart might not envy them, but I'm proud.
I hope the season finds you well and that you're feeling the excitement build as we approach the big day. While I have a minute in my hectic holiday schedule, I wanted to dash off my wish list for this year.

This year, could you please bring me the perfect Norman Rockwell Christmas? (Or I guess Martha Stewart will do.) I would like to have a flawlessly decorated tree with perfectly wrapped packages underneath. I want to set a stunning holiday table with a gorgeous handmade centerpiece. I'd like to find the perfect gifts, mail Christmas cards to everyone on my list and concoct yummy treats to share with my co-workers. Oh ... and elaborate decorations that will be the envy of my friends and neighbors would be nice, too. And could you sprinkle a little magic dust to help me write some perfect holiday blog posts in the next couple of weeks?

Santa, I realize this is a pretty tall order. Perhaps I should prepare for your inability to deliver. Maybe I should realign my expectations. The more I think about it, that Norman Rockwell image of Christmas does seem a bit unrealistic. It really is an illusion, isn't it? I mean, after all, life isn't perfect. I'm not perfect. And I guess the people in my life who really matter won't care if the pie I serve is store-bought instead of homemade. They'll still love me, right?

You know, Santa. I think I've just rewritten my Christmas list. Could you just send me an early gift of wisdom, patience and clarity? And throw in a dose of calm, if that's not too much to ask. Maybe then I'll be able to relax and enjoy the season. I guess I need to slow down, embrace the holiday and just take each moment as it comes. If I don't plan on what to expect, then I won't be disappointed!

Santa, I've decided to make a new list and check it twice. I will set aside time to do what I can, check off my completed items and just forget the rest. Wow, Santa. Writing to you has really helped me get my head on straight. What I really want for Christmas is to stop fretting and share the joy of the season with those around me. And, I guess the only person who can deliver that is me. Thank you, Santa. I think you've already sent that gift of clarity my way.

Merry Christmas!

Diane Hughes

P.S. I hope you won't mind if I don't have time to put out milk and cookies. I may be so busy enjoying Christmas with my family that I forget all about it!

I hope that we all take the time to enjoy the holiday season and embrace it — with all its imperfections. Do you struggle with trying to do it all during the holidays? Do you have suggestions for experiencing a stress-free, pressure-free holiday season? Please share your insights in the comments below.

P.S. to readers:
If you find yourself overwhelmed during the holiday season, this article from Mayo Clinic offers excellent tips for coping with stress and depression:
Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping

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11 Comments
Laurie
12/12/2011 05:34:08 am

Diane - this was perfect; just what I needed to hear today and cleverly written to!

Reply
Tracey
12/12/2011 08:11:00 am

Very well said!!! I love it!

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/12/2011 08:17:45 am

Laurie: Thank you! Glad the post resonated with you. I think a lot of us are starting to feel the holiday stress.

Tracey: Glad you agree! Are you stressing or relaxing this holiday season?

Reply
Crystal
12/14/2011 12:56:29 am

Well said! Me too!!! I must say the Christmas Sugar cookies were perfect! They made my day! A very thoughtful (and beautifully packaged) yummy Christmas treat! Thank you very much!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours Diane!

: ) Crystal

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/14/2011 02:40:26 am

Crystal,

Glad you enjoyed the cookies. They were a pleasure to make and package. I hope you enjoy a stress-free first Christmas as a married lady!

Reply
Insightful Mommy link
12/14/2011 01:43:00 pm

Hi Diane,

New reader here.

Your post hit the nail on the head with what I have been struggling with the past week!

Coordinating relatives schedules, who's making what and what day, when are we exchanging gifts with this one and that one - I finally came to the conclusion that it's never going to work out just perfect.

As much as it challenges me, I might have to just sit back, relax and just enjoy things as they happen!

Thanks!

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/14/2011 01:54:13 pm

Insightful Mommy:

So glad to have you visit my blog!

I know that so many of us struggle with stress during the holidays, and it really hit me early last week.

As to sitting back, relaxing and letting things happen, I've been doing much better this past week. With a little mind over matter, I believe we will both find joy this Christmas. :-)

Happy Holidays!

Reply
Laura Zera
12/15/2011 11:27:59 am

See, I just set the bar really low way back in my 20s with regards to entertaining and then never raised it. I also bought a very small house that doesn't have a formal dining room. Then I added a cat that would just destroy any decorations with tinsel or dangly bits. Those are just a few of my tricks for a low-stress holiday! :p

You are dead on with this post: enjoy your loved ones and the rest is fluff!

Best to you and yours!

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/15/2011 12:38:27 pm

Laura,

I like your strategy!

As with so many things in life, we sometimes take this holiday thing way too seriously. Too much pressure and a focus on all the unimportant things.

Right you are: I'm gonna focus on sharing good times with the people who are important to me. :-)

Reply
Misty Provencher link
12/16/2011 03:05:45 am

You know, Diane...
It would be nice if Santa would bring me one of those Christmases too, instead of the train wreck of barking dogs and forgotten gifts and family with heartburn that he usually parks in my living room. And if he could pllllllleeeeeease not give me a Christmasy version of the Thanksgiving (with the raw turkey) that I just had...it'd be great. I mean, I know I might've cooked the books a little to get onto the Nice List, but you know how it is..

Reply
Diane Hughes link
12/16/2011 02:08:56 pm

Ha, ha. Misty, you always make me laugh.

Sorry to hear about your Thanksgiving turkey. Hopefully Christmas will go off without a hitch. And you are always on my "Nice" list (with just a touch of recklessness thrown in for good measure).

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    DIANE HUGHES

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