Happy Christmas

What does Christmas mean to you? Is it a time of fun, family and joy or is it a time of expense and dread and you are glad when the season is over and done with? It is sad that the later is the most common response. In my mind it is time to create a change, to take the stress out of season and put the fun back in to it.
My basic rules are : Be OK with simplicity. If you do not like to put up a houseful of decorations and it is left up to you, then don't. If you get complaints then let them know if they wish more they have to do it.
                              : Be OK with only buying for immediate family if that is what you wish to do and set a price limit on it. Budget for your Christmas, it is great to see the bigger box store re-introducing lay-away, so that you do not have to use your credit cards and have time to pay for your gifts.
                              : Be Wise as gifts are brief and it is not things that are remembered down the roads of time, it is the experience. So do not give into emotional blackmail to overspend if you cannot do so or if you do not want to.
                             : Be a Delegator. If it is Christmas at your house and you are expecting a lot of people then ask them to bring a dish with them. In our family the host provides the turkey and everyone else brings the trimmings.
                            : Be Available. Have fun at Christmas again give others a job so that you are not always the one running around- this is family- treat them that way and not like the occasional quest.
                            : Set up holiday memories now that your family will remember for the future. In my home my grown children still like our traditions of opening one gift Christmas Eve, driving around to look at all the lights and having their dad make eggs benedict for Christmas morning.
                             : Remember what the occasion is about, whether you are religious or not celebrate the reason for Christmas which is the birth of Christ and peace on earth and good will to man. Be nice, be charitable and do not give in to the need to over spend.
                               : Have FUN!

Have a wondrous Christmas this year and remember it is about family not money spent or presents under the tree. Free yourself from the need to over extend yourself emotionally and financially and bring back the inner joy of being available to the simplicity of the moments that make this a special day.
Peace on Earth and Good Will to All Men and Women and Children, not only on Christmas Day but for always!

Namaste
Debra Rae