Most people I know here in the U.S. are focused on the coming holidays. Everywhere you turn the music, the decorations, and the celebrations are overlapping with festivities. It’s very easy to get swept up in cramming the calendar with every possible event and trying to do it all. It’s also tempting to compare one’s experience with the past, or the other people we see on Facebook. Or how about those Christmas movies where every relationship drama is resolved in less than two hours so that everyone is happy and in love by the end of the movie? That’s why it is SMART to remember that our expectations can either provide us with a wonderful experience—OR—they can make us miserable. Like so many things, if we stay conscious and aware we can choose to embrace the best and let go of the rest.
So when I found my calendar especially full this week, I decided to “repurpose” some of the best holiday articles I’ve written during the last seven years here on SMART Living 365. If you are fairly new to SMART Living, chances are good that you haven’t read them before. And if you have been with us for a long time, you’ve probably forgotten some of them. Here are ten of the best that I believe approach the topic from several different SMART perspectives.
- Christmas 2017—More Stuff? Or a Meaningful Experience? Much of how we celebrate is a habit we picked up somewhere along the way. Information from author Charles Duhigg explains ways we can change our habits and create the life we desire.
- 30 SMART Christmas Quotes To Get You In The Holiday Mood. Like quotes? Then you will want to check these out and add any I missed in the comments below.
- Five Ways to Rethink Christmas Gifts Without Being a Scrooge! Lots of people struggle to pick out and pay for gifts over the holidays. Here are a few alternatives for anyone who would like to try something different.
- 8 SMART Life Lessons From Santa. In case you haven’t noticed, I can come up with life lessons for just about anything. Here are a few things we can learn from Santa.
- 30 Inspiring Movies I Am Grateful For Like movies? Every year around this time I enjoy watching movies that inspire and uplift us all. Here’s my selection.
- Two Big Reasons To Celebrate The Winter Solstice. Next week December 21st marks the Winter Solstice for those in the Northern Hemisphere. This holiday has been celebrated for thousands of years. Read here to find out why.
- The Best Gift For Any Holiday Isn’t The Self Gift. While retailers might try to convince us that we all deserve to have exactly what we want every holiday, it’s more important to remember that experiences are better than stuff and giving is the reason for the season.
- In Defense of “Happy Holidays” for One and All. If you’ve struggled with saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays during the season, here’s another way to look at it that includes everyone.
- Is Hygge the Key To A Happy Holiday And A Path To Living and Aging Well? Ever heard of hygge? This Danish tradition just might be something your holiday needs to be the best ever.
- A Christmas Wish For Peace. If you, like many others, would love to receive ‘world peace” for Christmas this year, then be sure and read this special poem by a young man named Mattie Stepanek.
I hope that these ten articles help you to remember what you enjoy most about the holidays and the courage to do it your way. And don’t forget the one I wrote a couple of weeks ago either. Ten Ways To Rightsize Your Christmas And Have The Best Holiday Ever. While some of the thoughts behind these posts might not be new to you or the way you celebrate, if you are anything like me you can use them to remember that we always have a choice. Like usual, the SMART approach is to focus on the best and let go of the rest.
Okay, your turn! What is one thing that always helps you remember why you celebrate the holiday in the first place? Please share in the comments below.
Kathy, I found your blog through an article on Huffington Post. What a great concept! We are from India and don’t celebrate Christmas as such. But I am deeply committed to sustainable living and it bothers me a lot when I see people throwing away so much stuff, especially food. I am on my own path to help people recycle more (in the Madison, WI) and would love to stay connected with you.
Hi Lavanya! So nice to hear from others who are committed to a more sustainable lifestyle. And you are so correct that our food waste is horrendous in the U.S. Good for you for getting involved in your local community and trying to make a difference. And yes, please stay connected. ~Kathy
This was timely, Kathy. I read many of your linked posts above. I am feeling really grumpy about Christmas this year. I have been trying to pare down the Christmas gift giving. After spending months reducing our pile of stuff to make our recent move, I do not need or want any more stuff! I appreciate that my friends and family care about me and choose gifts to please me, but I really don’t need anything. I enjoy choosing special items to give to people dear to me, but so many people in my circle already have everything they need and it seems like a waste of money and the earth’s resources to buy a bunch of stuff to give them (not to mention the stress and frenzy of Christmas shopping as well).
However, most of my family and some of my friends do not feel the same. They want gifts. Their feelings would be hurt if they did not receive a gift. They voted against drawing names. I feel backed into a corner. I love them and want them to know that I care. I know that they would feel unloved if they did not receive a gift. So, I am giving gifts to all the usual people. I have chosen to give gifts of experience, consumables, artist-made items, or things I have made myself to the adults on my list. But, the grandchildren will be getting commercial plastic stuff because it is what their parents say they want (sadly, against my better judgment).
Jude
Hi Jude! I feel your pain! I agree that it can be very challenging to buck the system and go against ingrained traditions like gift buying. I was very fortunate that Thom (my husband) was very supportive–he never saw the point of it anyway–so if I found myself boxed in a corner, I could blame it all on him (I’m kidding of course!) And I’ll be honest, even all these years later…I think we have been doing no or alternative gifts for about 15 years now…sometimes it still feels awkward. And I’ll never forget the look on some of the little one’s eyes when that saw that we showed up without gifts! One time we gave the “honor” of picking where they could donate a set amount of money as a gift. Hahaha…that didn’t go well at all. But you know what, in the long run, I believe that being that example of “no gifts” it is setting a precedent for others. I actually like being that person and family member who just says “No!” Good luck. ~Kathy
Wow, what a great library o’ links! Thanks, Kathy, and Merry Christmas!
Thanks Lynne! I read all the archived posts I had created over the years and I have to admit that these re-inspired me. I am hoping that at least some of them will do that for everyone who takes the time to read them. Merry Christmas to you and your family and I look forward to meeting again IRL next year!!! ~Kathy
What a smart way to also lessen your load during the holidays.
Hi Jennifer! Yes! I do try to be as SMART as possible! It sure helped me “enjoy the season” this last week. May you too find everything you need to celebrate the holidays as well. ~Kathy
I’m learning to celebrate the best and let go of the rest. Thanks for the treasure trove of articles. I especially liked the Christmas quotes. I’m hearing about a downsized Christmas from many in my circle. I practice hygge – there will be a fire in the wood stove with birch wood that I have squirrelled away; the candles will be lit; the special chocolates will be indulged in; there will be some good reads and movies for entertainment between visits with family and friends. I will go out in the bush and get a real tree today. I’ve always enjoyed Christmas tree lights. Tonight there’s a house party with live music performed by friends. Next week is the winter solstice and a celebration of the coming of the light.
Hi Mona! It sounds to me like you have a wonderful holiday tradition going in your life. If I lived closer I would invite myself to come to your party! May your Winter Solstice celebration be a sign of the Light to come for us all…and may all your other holidays unfold in a happy and peaceful way. ~Kathy
What a great compendium of Christmas advice and inspiration. I esp. like the Lessons from Santa.
Hi Tom! Thank you! I think as a writer you know that one of the best ways to clarify our own thoughts is to write them down. Then we are always fortunate to find others that find them interesting and helpful as well. Enjoy your holiday! ~Kathy
I refuse to let the commercialism of Christmas take hold Kathy – we’re keeping it really low key and focusing on family time and chilling out. I’m also doing my best to ignore the fact that our daughter and SIL aren’t bothering to drive down this year, and instead I’m celebrating our son and DIL and grandbaby being with us for the day and for a few days afterwards – there’s always a silver lining. Happy Christmas from Down Under xx
Hi Leanne! So nice to know that there are others on the opposite side of the planet who practice “rightsizing” and a simplified lifestyle. And while we can’t control how others are choosing to celebrate (or live for that matter) we can do our best to follow our own guidance and serve as an example to others. It certainly sounds to me that you can be very proud of doing that. And you also know that I completely agree–there’s always a silver lining! Happy Christmas to you and your family too! ~Kathy
I’ve been singing from the same play list for years, and this year, made some drastic changes—no Christmas cards, no Christmas ‘stuff’ presents, no over-commitment! As a result, I’m feeling less stressed-out and happier as the holidays approach. So glad to read these articles! They contribute to my well-being even more!
Hi Diane! Yes isn’t it so freeing and wonderful when you let go of all the “to-do’s” around the holidays and just enjoy the atmosphere? I would far rather experience relaxed and happy people this time of year than a wrapped gift, and it sounds like you do too. May you continue to enjoy the days to come for the rest of the month. Thank you as always for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Merry Christmas! ~Kathy
We travel EVERY Christmas now, so simplicity is a requirement. I don’t put up a tree or use outside lights! Due to a lot of things in my life this year, I’ve kept Christmas simple and the recession, all the adults agreed to not buy presents for each other, preferring to enjoy each other’s company. We started singing karaoke carols two years ago on Christmas eve and keeping it simple and fun is really just the best! Enjoy your holidays, Kathy, and I am off to check out your other posts 🙂
Hi Terri! I love that idea of doing karaoke on Christmas Eve. Of course no one in my family sings very well so it could be a real mess but still fun! And as you said, the joy of experiencing each other’s company –and hopefully laughing a lot–is one of the best gifts ever. Thanks for sharing a bit of yours with me. And Merry Christmas to you and Hans! ~Kathy
Great roundup of your posts. The best from Kathy on the season! Since I don’t celebrate Christmas I don’t have the expectations on one hand but I also never really feel a part of the Holiday either. I love the lights on homes, and it is the most profitable 6 weeks of the year for our business but I am always glad when the New Year comes and everything goes back to normal.
Hi Haralee! I’m actually a bit jealous of many of my Jewish friends because they get to celebrate much longer (and I do love to celebrate!) Of course, some of my other Jewish friends have blended families and end up celebrating every single holiday that there is–and THAT really appeals to me. I hope you are enjoying your “Festival of Lights” and that your New Year is a good one. ~Kathy
Have a wonderful holiday and blessings on you and yours, Beth
Hi Beth! Happy Holidays to you and your entire family Beth! May the coming year be a good (better!) one for everyone! ~Kathy
I’ll check out the quote blog! Back in Belgium, our family celebrated the New Year more than Christmas, so being in the US during this hectic period is always overwhelming. While we enjoy being with friends and family, it doesn’t have to be over Christmas. 🙂 Looking forward to some days off, though. And, avoiding the stores.
Hi Liesbet! Is that typical in Belgium for everyone to celebrate the New Year rather than Christmas? And do you do something special on New Years or just party? I love hearing about how other countries and cultures celebrate so would love to hear your thoughts. And yes to day’s off!!! ~Kathy
Not sure about other families in Belgium, Kathy. But, I don’t remember much fuss about Christmas shopping and such when I was a child or teenager, mingling with others. We all had a (live) Christmas tree in our living rooms and underneath were the new year presents.
On Christmas Eve, my parents, brother and I would have a fun dinner at home, including small utensils, tiny pans and an electric grill plate put on the table and we wouldn’t all cook our miniature pieces of meats and vegetables (bought at the butcher’s) and an egg and then tiny pancakes for dessert. I forgot what it was called.
Christmas Day was a day of laziness at home. New Year’s Eve was spent with one set of grandparents when we were kids and with friends in my upper teens and twenties. New Year’s Day was spent with the other side of the family, visiting the other set of grandparents and reading our handwritten New Years letters (an end-of-the-year school tradition – the text/poem provided by the teacher – to parents, godfather and godmother and receiving gifts in return. I guess this might be worth a blog post one year… 🙂
Hi again Liesbet! It is fascinating to hear about how you used to celebrate the holidays. And YES! It would make a great blog post. With the big commerialism push in the U.S. it is difficult to remember that the rest of the world celebrates in their own ways (and sometimes their own different holidays). I think it is good and SMART to hear about the differences. I especially thought it was interesting about cooking little bits of food on Christmas Eve. Who would have ever guessed? 🙂 Thanks for sharing a bit of your past. ~Kathy
Thank you for the reminder that we do not need to overwhelm ourselves in busy times. We can say no, modify or repurpose! Thank you also for the links to some past posts. I am off to read some that I have missed!
Hi Donna! You are so welcome. And what’s the saying, “we write what we most need to read?” 🙂 It’s so important to remember that we do get to choose. ~Kathy
I am 63 and still haven’t learned how to chill, let go, and lower expectations. Getting there–but not there yet. Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Barbara! I hear you! I think we are all “works in progress.” Let’s just keep reminding each other, okay? ~Kathy