Stressful Time Of The Year
I don’t ever recall doing a Christmas post here in this space, however, that changes today because of a conversation I’ve been having lately with singles. For me, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year yet for many it’s the most stressful time of the year. If you know me, you know I love Christmas. Every year you can find me at Rockefeller Center for the lighting of the tree. No matter how cold it is or the size of the crowd, I’m right in the mix singing carols, talking to strangers, hanging with a friend and having a good ol time.
Felt And Look Like Christmas
When I lived at home with my parents, I was the one who got the decorations started. I’d get the big tree situated and do all the decorating. Then move along to decorating the front window and I wouldn’t stop until the house felt and looked like Christmas. P.S. I love decorating.
Sun Up Till Sun Down
In my first place, I put up a huge Douglas Fir tree that looked pregnant. I do not like a tree with spaces. This tree was full from top to bottom. That year I had a wine tasting and tree trimming party to ring in the season. The theme was gold and off-white and everyone was instructed to bring a dish and an ornament in that color scheme. I had a lot of nerve asking for a gift and an ornament huh? My friends came through with both. One of my friends Paula is a craft queen. If I gave out a prize for the best ornament, she’d win hands down. Her ornaments were handmade. The angel topping for the tree draped in off-white fabric was out of this world.
I’ll Buy A Wreath
Having moved between NY, LA, and Atlanta, I haven’t put up a tree in any of my places since then and that was many years ago. The other day I was with a single man who talked about decorating his place. At the moment I was inspired to decorate then I talked to a friend and asked if he’s decorating and he said no, maybe “I’ll buy a wreath.”
Do We Need To Do Anything?
I shared my ideas with him for decorating and he said, “Chase, why are you doing all of that? Who are you doing it for? You don’t have kids running around over there to look at it. You don’t need to do all of that for you.” He’s right! I don’t need to do it. Do we need to do anything? I talked to my married friend and asked him if he’s putting up a tree to which he said yes his wife is doing it for their two boys. When I asked if he’d do it if they didn’t have kids, his answer was a resounding no, followed by, absolutely not!
I Hate Shopping
For me, unless the wreath, garland and all the other decorating trinkets walk themselves over here, it’s not gonna happen. I hate shopping unless it’s grocery shopping. Sure, I could buy everything online and have it delivered but for me, I have to look at Christmas decorations. Certain things are good to buy online and not others.
Great Gift Ideas
I share all of this with you because I’ve read all sorts of blog posts about the stress that comes with Christmas and what we have to do at this time of the year. We’re overwhelmed by doing what we think we have to do because everyone else is doing it. For example, I read a great post titled 5 Christmas Gifts Your Wife Will Love by Ashley Willis. The post is filled with great gift ideas. One idea is the gift of a membership. Ashley says:
I love this idea! The best gifts are ones that you can enjoy year-round. Think about your wife’s interests. If it is clothes, get her a year-long membership to a styling service like Stitchfix.com. If it’s working out, get her a membership to the newest gym in town, or if she is already a member, get her a membership to Fabletics.com where she will receive new workout clothes each month. If she’s a foodie and likes to cook, get her a membership to Plated.com so she can put together delicious meals like a pro. Whatever her interest might be, I bet you can find a delivery/membership service for it. She won’t just receive this gift on Christmas; she will anxiously anticipate receiving this gift every month. How cool is that?
Over The Moon Ecstatic
Very cool! If I had a significant other this year, he’d make the workout queen in me very happy with a membership to Fabletics and the cook in me would be over the moon ecstatic with a membership to Plated. Perfect combination; eat then workout or vice versa. It’s a win-win all around. What gave me pause with the article was the first few opening lines that say:
“Christmas is right around the corner and with all the decorating, festivities, and gifts we have to purchase for our kids, friends, and other family members, we can sometimes find ourselves at a loss of what our spouse would actually like for Christmas.”
Stresses Us Out
I’m sure she meant well, however, you don’t have to do anything. I believe this mindset is what stresses us out and makes us crazy. The feeling that we have to decorate, that we have to purchase gifts, that we have to participate in all the festivities. People are literally creating debt buying gifts they feel pressured to buy. Do what you can, what you want; what resonates with you and what makes sense financially for you and yours.
The Real Meaning Of Christmas
While the jury is still out on whether I decorate or not, my heart and mind will remain focused on the real meaning of Christmas: CHRIST…the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What I have done so far to celebrate the season is put together a playlist of worship music that I literally play day and night. I’m sure my neighbors are tired of hearing me and Donnie McClurkin belt out Agnus Dei.
You’re A Church Lady?
A maintenance man came by to fix something recently as it played in the background. He said to me, “You go to church? You’re a church lady? Those questions started a great conversation about his return to church and a relationship with God. He told me he stopped going for a while and now he’s back and will continue to go.
The Real Meaning Of Christmas
That’s what Christmas is about for me. Touching the hearts of others in a real way while having meaningful conversations that point us back to the real meaning of Christmas; Christ.
Something to think about…
What say you? Is Christmas a stressful time for you? What does this time of year mean to you? Let’s have some fun; tell me four things you learned about me in this post and tell me four things I don’t know about you in the comments.
Here are 2 things I’d like you to do now:
1. Leave a comment below
2. Share this post if you like it
P.P.S. You can read Ashley’s entire post here and her husbands’ complementary post here for great gift ideas for your significant other.
Merry Christmas!
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