Oh lordy, it’s the holiday season. And we all know what that means.
Last year, I completely opted out. Well, almost completely. I do have grandkids after all. But we went to friends for Thanksgiving, and Vegas for Christmas.
The planning began in November. You know, the ‘oh crap or yippee doodles’ moment that sneaks into your heart. Lures your mind to past disasters + triumphs. Fills you with deep dread, or delightful desire.
I used to have an obsessive need to make {Christmas} perfect.
{You may fill in your holiday blank here…whichever event that filled your home with joy/laughter/relatives/food/possibly booze???}
For me, as a Brit, it’s Christmas Eve, Day + Boxing Day. With the big event being Christmas Dinner. (Cue dramatic music…dah, dah, daaaaahhhh!)
We were a crazy, rambunctious English/Welsh/Irish family. Everything revolved around the food…and drink. Honestly, I didn’t have a sober Christmas until I had my own home + had kids.
Alcohol took the edge off. The holiday buzz, really was a buzz. Buzz-maintenance as my friend David puts it. You have a couple of bevvies, and then you keep the buzz managed. Stopping fretting + fighting. Sometimes.
Bradshaw, who coined the term Family Dysfunction, eventually came out and said that all families. By their very nature. Are at times dysfunctional. We were good at it. Very good.
So when I left home, I wanted to make the Holidays perfect. And I tried. So hard. Becoming a Christmas Nazi, there was only one way to do everything. Even how to cook those Brussel Sprouts.
But gradually, after all the changes life thrown our way. After all the disappoints (oh crap) and jolly good fun (yippee doodles) I’ve come to a basic holiday-season formula.
Change it up. Do what you want to do. Leave behind the traditions that don’t work (buzz maintenance comes to mind.) Embrace whatever makes you feel fabulous.
So, last year I had Christmas Dinner with Gordon Ramsay. Well, not really, but in one of his restaurants. Why? Because I’m a foodie, a fan, and we wanted to do something different.
This year…well, we’re just starting to explore. What do you think? What do you enjoy? And is there something you’re ready to dump from the expectations-list?
Holistic health is all about living honoring body, mind, emotions + spirit.
Do the Holidays your way.
Have fun. Forget Oh Crap! Bring on some Yippee Doodles.
Psst…I love gift buying, giving and receiving. That always stays as part of my holidays.
And if you’ve got any brilliant ideas, do share with me in the comments below. I’ll even check out your Brussel Sprout recipe if you like.
Big love, Jacqueline
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