Are you overwhelmed by just the thought of your to do list this holiday? Does the idea of making gifts, baking goodies, putting up the lights and attending yet another holiday party put you on edge? Most people overextend during the holiday season and they forget the joy that can come from the simpler things -- and if not joy, not a raging headache.
- Get Rid of Elf on the Shelf and Advent Calendars: I was a mom that did a different, custom, unique advent calendar for our daughter every year. It was lovely. It was delightful. It drove me towards insanity. Really, does your kid need a build up to the biggest gift giving holiday of the year with more gifts or Elves doing random acts of chaos in your house? I don't think so. You might think, innocently like I did, that it is all a lovely tradition. Say that when they are 17 and still expecting to get gifts each morning on their breakfast plate or discover the crazy antics that Ellie the Elf had last night. Just stop now. Retire the elf. Back away from Pinterest and all of the Advent calendar ideas. Your holiday can be just as special without the demands of this daily event.
Your holiday doesn't have to have all the things. It just needs you to feel calm and maybe even a little happy -- or at least not popping Tylenol one after the other.
Looking to live a little simpler? Jacqueline Wolven has tips to creating a saner, happier life.