Problem 3) Too Many Parties, Open Houses, and/or Children’s Holiday Shows
Vintage 7-Up ad
I had to tell a really good friend that we wouldn’t be attending her
annual party. She is sensitive and I was afraid of hurting her
feelings, but I told her the truth – I explained that we are introverts,
and Christmas parties – in the busy month of December – were not fun
for us. Parties with lots of people we don’t know drain us; unlike
extroverts who are often rejuvenated. To not tell her the truth and
just say “we are busy” every year would have hurt her feelings more than
telling her the truth – I’ve enjoyed all the birthday parties over the
years, but I can’t do December parties. She understood and was glad
that I told.
I had to tell another friend I wouldn’t be coming to the Cookie
exchange. Instead of enjoying a get together, I dreaded the time spent
baking and the extra calories. We simply don’t need all those cookies.
We just bake the ones we really like with my mom.
Eloise Wilkin, Illustrator; Baby’s Christmas
We also don’t do Christmas open houses, unless it is a housewarming. Because we need margin in our life.
One party I kept was our homeschooling moms group where we make an
ornament. A friend who excels at crafts does all the planning, and I
just give her a few dollars to cover her expenses. This is something I
would never do on my own, and I’ve been amazed that some of my ornaments actually come out well! It’s a fun, creative, enjoyable time with friends.
Vintage Christmas card
The church parties I kept because I enjoy singing Christmas Carols, and it isn’t exhausting on my part.
Corinne Malvern
I absolutely loved when my son was little and was in
Christmas shows. Rehearsals were on
during Sunday School with practice at home, so there was no stress on my
part. If I had several children in major
productions with lots of rehearsals, as do so many of my friends, I would be as
crazy as they are (smile).
You will have to decide – do these rehearsals make the family hate
Christmas? Do they make you or your children stressed and yell? Or do
these shows contribute to the grace and joy of Christmas? If you decide
they contribute to Christmas happiness, what will you DO during
rehearsals? Waste time on social media? Christmas cards? Shopping?
List writing? Online shopping? Reading? Menu planning? You can
accomplish much in 20 – 40 minutes!
If your children don’t want to be in a show, why are you forcing
them? I remember one year a child wet his pants in front of his school
mates – would that be worth it? Some kids just hate the limelight. Why
are you forcing your child to participate? I’ve heard so many parents
say, “Oh he has fun when he gets there.” Ask him 10, 25, or 30 years
later, “Did you have fun?” The answer is always a big, fat “NO.” They
haven’t “forgotten” these times – they hated them. It made a lasting
impression. Today, I see moms forcing their kids to participate because
the moms have work to do and the child can’t be home alone, so they are
pushed into activities they do not want to do. Give your child some
down time if he or she wants it!
If these s activities make you hate Christmas, but your children want to participate, how can you solve that problem? Be sure to ask your children
– both if they like it, and how to proactively solve problems, such as
dinner, homework, and grouchiness. Children who are motivated (because
they want to be in the show) can be great at keeping YOU on track and
happy, by helping with a wide variety of things – ask them how they will
be helping YOU get THEM to rehearsal.
Same here!!! Do not enjoy those Holiday Parties!!!
We owned a drug store, and every year, had to have one. For employees and for lots of people. I was so glad, when we no longer had to do that!!!! (One of our sons, also a pharmacist, took over!)
Do not fill the house with cookies or such calorie laden things, either. -smile-
Last year I read a very interesting book by Cassandra Aarssen called The Clutter Connection, How Your Personality Type Determines Why You Organize the Way You Do. The first time I took her test was on her website, Clutterbug.me , I came out as a “Butterfly.” But when I read her mini online book detailing the four different organizing styles that are based on your personality, I thought I was a Bee who coveted being a Cricket! (See her website for a quick explanation of the four Clutter Bugs.) I bought this book since it goes into depth on the four areas, with color pictures, and I wanted to know more. I was skeptical of her test and felt that the questions weren’t clear enough, so I took the test several times on different days, and again after reading each of the four sections of her book. I felt that on many of the questions I could answer “Yes” to 3 out of the 4 scenarios. So one time I did this on all the questions, and then added up my score that way.
Priscilla Poynter I spent many, many years unorganized. After reading countless books and decluttering, I just had my best Christmas ever, even though I was ill Dec. 21 & 22. I had NO STRESS. Everything was on schedule! Let me share with you the four steps I took to move from Christmas Chaos to Christmas Calm : 1) Write up, then type up, your Christmas Countdown . This is what MY list looks like: Christmas Countdown January Buy Christmas cards for next year (I do actual Christmas cards, not photo cards). Go to post office and buy Christmas stamps (I did this today, and saved myself the postage increase happening Jan. 21, 2018) Shop online for after-Christmas sales - Christmas themed items for next Christmas (it can be gifts, partyware, decor, wrapping paper, etc.) Place large empty box or Christmas bag into closet for gifts bought throughout the year, with post-it note for who it is for, or you will forget! Type up Christmas card list and
photo credit We had to cut 60% of our budget in order for me to stay home. I had started a list of all I did in this post, but it was soooo long, that I eventually took the 240+ steps I took while living on one income and becoming debt-free, all while homeschooling our child, and expounded on them in my book How to Thrive on One Income . The blessings of living on one income are so worth the effort! Know that you must be agreed that you being home is more important than a higher income. If your husband is resentful you will encounter problems (or if you really want to work, then you will sabotage yourself at home). You can have a trial time as well – he might not believe you can cut expenses. But you can! Joni McCoy of MiserlyMoms.com has a wonderful audio tape telling her story that is incredibly inspiring. You must know WHY it is important for you to be home. Finding Your Way Home , which I talk about in its own post ( here ), is an excellent resource. The
Same here!!! Do not enjoy those Holiday Parties!!!
ReplyDeleteWe owned a drug store, and every year, had to have one. For employees and for lots of people. I was so glad, when we no longer had to do that!!!! (One of our sons, also a pharmacist, took over!)
Do not fill the house with cookies or such calorie laden things, either. -smile-
😊🔥😊