When it Needs to be a Simple Christmas
This year we are doing “Simple Christmas” not because we want to create some more space in our lives, or we are intentionally making room to give more to the needy. This year it’s out of total necessity.
As most of you know, two weeks ago I had surgery, but it turns out it was a double-whammy: both a gastric sleeve (elective) and a hiatal hernia (not so elective). We knew the sleeve surgery was a big deal, but it turns out that what we thought was a simple procedure for the hernia, turned out to be just as big of a deal as the sleeve.
And then one week after my surgery, Roger went to the same surgeon and found out that he needed a hernia surgery. This being his third surgery this year with this doctor, if he had it done before the end of the year, we would have almost no out of pocket costs. (Yes, it’s just like buy three yogurts and get the forth one free.)
Since Roger’s surgery would be completely covered by insurance, and it comes just two days before he has a mandatory shutdown at work, we would have been crazy not to do it.
But there is a lot of crazy in the decision to go ahead as well:
- I’m just coming off surgery, and will probably just be fully recovered as Roger goes in for surgery.
- I have a book due in January and another one due in March and planned on using that time to write while my healthy husband handled life for us.
- It’s Christmastime.
I’m sure you’ve had a year just like this. OK, maybe not four surgeries in twelve months, but some other circumstance that has forced you into not just wanting to simplify Christmas, but needing to do it as well.
The need to simplify usually comes from the lack of one of these three areas in your or your family’s life:
- Time – There is a huge time crunch in your life. It could be from a work situation, or something going on in your family, but there aren’t enough hours on the clock to complete the Christmas miracle you normally plan each year.
- Energy – You’ve been sick, or you’re caring for someone who is. Or maybe there are external pressures (like a job change, a move,) or a recent tragedy that has left you drained. Whatever the situation is, you know that the wisest thing to do this year is pull back.
- Money – Job loss, job cut backs, increased expenses, or a firm resolve to not go into debt. There are a thousand reasons why you won’t be spending the same as you have in year’s past.
So I want to spend this week talking about how you do Christmas when it needs to be a simple one. Each day we will discuss one of those areas listed above: Time, Energy, Money.
And if you have any wisdom about how to scale back, please leave it in the comments below. Painful choices you’ve made in the past may give someone else the freedom they need to make hard choices for their family.
This is great. I have been suggesting a simpler Christmas for years and it finally worked this year. Great advice! howtoselloncraigslistebook.com
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Several years ago I gave myself “permission” to skip sending out Christmas cards. I realized that I was sending cards to people that I was in contact with on a regular basis. Our family for years has drawn names and that way you only buy a gift for person whose name you’ve drawn. We are all at an age were we have more stuff than we need. In addition, we now just get little things for each others stockings. Christmas shopping is some much easier with just one gift to buy and then little things for the stockings. My small group decided years ago to not buy gifts for each other (again we all have more stuff than we need). I only decorate those rooms in the house that people will see and keep the decorations as simple as possible.
One year the stress of caregiving was overwhelming and I decided to do a simpler Christmas. We only put up the tree and the nativity scene and all the other decorations (of which there are many) stayed in the attic. We did not send out any cards – I sent a letter out a few months later to those who needed to hear from us. I only made our very favorite cookie (1)! I did not make the usual fancy Christmas dinner but instead made a big pot of soup with crusty french bread. We gave one gift to each child and my gift to my husband was time and a far less cranky wife!
Give away extra toys, blankets, decor that is great but you could pass along, even thin out your games cabinet n share that with someone else. Feels nice to give and to have freed up space.
Also left several boxes of Christmas decor in the attic – remembered that I have to put away anything I pull out now…once the boxes are out of sight the extra decor (and work) wasn’t missed.
Samaratin’s Purse, and other world mission organizations have started online donations of tangible items – I think this year my kids will each receive something from there donated in their name. My boys think the idea of a goat is interesting so they will donate that to a village for its milk. My other son will get a chick to give for eggs as he’s my scrambled egg kiddo. My daughter will have money donated to the baby hospital in her name as that speaks to her caregiving heart.
Trying to remind myself as well as teach my children the real spirit of giving and making more meaningful and lasting purchases/memories/traditions.
When I got divorced 8 years ago and had to make huge changes in life with my four children, I asked them what was most important to them. We chose two traditions – the advent calendar and sugar cookies, plus their favorite gifts of pajamas and a book on Christmas eve. Since then each year I make the same offer, so far it remains the same traditions. So much easier than all the shopping, baking, cleaning, decorating I used to do. Instead of having a beautifully decorated home, fabulous things to eat and lots of Christmas presents and a frantic mom, they now have an easy going, low key, lightly decorated Christmas with a very present mom. Life is better. Christmas is easier. We are all happier.
Forgo sending out cards, ask someone else to host the meal, pick names so you don’t have as many gifts to get, shop online, write letters instead of gifts, solicit other family members to decorate. You may just prefer it this way! Sending up a prayer for your recovery.
we agreed as a family (my brothers and I), to only buy for the kids in the family. Spouses buy for each other of course, but we will only buy for the nephews and nieces. That alone takes a lot of stress off as there are 8 other adults to shop for.
We arent making Christmas cards, we are sending out store bought. I cut way back on baking (we dont need all of that stuff anyway), and we are focusing on presence, not presents. I know a lot of people say that but after seeing the word “Cardiac patient” on my medical chart recently it really hit me how much we need to do that. Life is much too short and precious to spend it stressing out about that perfect gift. I need to spend time with my family and enjoying life together.
For presents for the kids we are looking at experiences instead of more junk. Things like zoo passes, State park passes, anything we can do together. We have decided that is a better investment than some toy that will be forgotten in a few weeks.