Monday Musings with Rachelle

It’s almost here! Are you ready for Christmas?

We’re almost ready at the Christensen house. Lots of presents to wrap, a few last minute gifts to make and buy, and I still haven’t written my Christmas letter. But I am enjoying experiencing the excitement as my kids count down the days until the holiday. It makes the holiday so magical to have little kids around. Like the Kenny Rogers’ song says, “Christmas is for kids.”

We have a paper chain, and advent calendar, and an advent felt tree to help count down the days, so nobody is losing track of the days around here.

My sister and I have an “annual” chocolate fest. Here are some of the things we make:

Tempting Toffee Crisps

Butter Caramels Dipped in dark chocolate & salted

Dipped Peanut Butter Balls

Molasses Crinkle cookies dipped in white chocolate

Do have traditional treats that you make each year?

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Monday Musings with Rachelle

I’m really happy to have Connie Sokol stop by today and share some of her wisdom with us on how to really enjoy the holidays!

3 Tips to Simplify & Savor the Season by Connie E. Sokol

The holidays are upon us and like many women, my mature response often goes like this: panic, stare, shudder and roll over, desperately clutching a tin of Danish butter cookies.

But no more. This year, women can enjoy the holidays with a few simple and useable tips.

Step 1. Focus on a feeling

This seemingly warm, fuzzy consideration might be overlooked but is actually the underlying driver of a memorable holiday. Answer this question ahead of time: What feeling do I and my family want to experience and remember the most this holiday season?

The particular feeling isn’t as crucial as being intentional about it. Choose a feeling that fits your needs or desires: peaceful, exciting, joyful or spiritually grounding.

What matters most is that you choose what matters to you and your family. Then ask each member to choose one family tradition that is the most meaningful. As you enjoy those traditions, each person will experience that personally satiated, contented feeling.

2. Get the family buy-in.

Too often women feel solely responsible for creating a successful holiday season. But when we involve our families, they feel more joy, create memories, and learn life skills. To do this takes getting the buy-in — meaning holding a semi-official meeting to ensure that with time, energy and enthusiasm, the family will put aside electronics to help hang the holly wreaths.

The holidays are for family, so let them help. Let go of your inner controlling Mrs. Claus, and understand that even she uses elves (I have it on good authority). When everyone pitches in, each can enjoy the experience and you can let go of “The Mom Show.” Not only is that a gift here and now for you, but it is also a future gift for your children, because they will use those life skills year after year and prepare them to be stellar adults (and relieve your holiday stress).

3. Keep it simple

Especially during the holidays, conventional wisdom encourages women to consciously review and reduce their expectations, because emotional and physical overload can create “yo-yo” emotions. Too much to do combined with the desire to please too many people can create a lose-lose situation.

So the point here is, to keep it simple. Ask yourself:

• Am I doing this to create family memories or for show?

• Am I making this because I love my family or to check it off the list?

• Am I being present in the moment and enjoying this event or am I thinking ahead to when it will be done, or planning the next thing?

Consider how much holiday stress you’ll eliminate by focusing on those who matter most and not on how someone might perceive you or your item, event or decor.

The holidays can be a time of joy and peace and giving. With a bit of simple organization and intentional savoring, we can experience just that.

Happy Holidays,

Connie Sokol

Mother, Author, Speaker

Website, Twitter, Facebook

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