December
Disclaimer: This is coming from someone who went to Target at 8PM on Thanksgiving night to purchase seven copies of *Suits Christmas Spoiler Alert! Finding Dory at the request of my mother in law. The same person that just an hour ago purchased new sneakers on a random Thursday night. To say this list is written by a hypocrite is putting it lightly. Onward ho.
1. Avoid the unavoidable
Ugh, you guys, commercialization! Avoid being bombarded by all things money by having a budget/price cap, a gift list and shopping online(We don't even have Amazon prime and I'm singing its praises) If you must shop in stores, do so right when they unlock the doors or right before they lock them at night. If you find yourself grabbing your keys on a Saturday afternoon at 1PM, immediately put your wallet and keys in a large vat of water and carefully place it in the freezer. Then sit your buttocks down on the sofa and have peace in your tiny corner of the earth. I'm also a fan of buying Christmas gifts in April. If it's a perfect gift eight months out, it'll still be perfect when the bells are jingling.
2. Direct your attention elsewhere
Elsewhere being Jesus, obviously. winkyface Create an advent reading schedule, read the Christmas story again and again, play with a felt nativity play board. Whatever helps remind you that Jesus Christ, the son of God, was born of a virgin Mary, was crucified for sinners, rose again and is now seated at the right hand of God the father. Amen.
3. Find your holiday niche
In light of the previous paragraph, what superficial winkyface thing brings you holiday joy? Baking? Listening to endless Christmas music? Only writing with red and green pens for twenty-five days? DO THAT THING. And limit the things that only bring you moderate holiday joy. For me, it's Christmas music.
4. Stop when it isn't enjoyable
You hear of people that have an endless stream of jazzy jingle bells all month. Or the ones that make seventy variations of cookies and pass them out in vintage tins. Do all the things, but stop when it isn't fun anymore. When you're tempted to kick a small pigeon because Third Day is playing "O Holy Night" again or you find yourself thinking, "If I have to flip one more cookie off this baking sheet", just stop. I can listen to three Christmas songs in a row and then I have to turn it to another station. No holiday shame. Hello Tim McGraw.
5. Remember where you're headed
My Mentor preached a sermon many moons (like, a year+) ago that still resonates today. In a way that butchers his thoughts completely, he said that we try to obtain heaven on earth through perfect events. Christmas days that would make Martha Stewart weep with happiness, birthday parties that would put every Pinterest board to shame. We put expectations/stress on get togethers and then disappointment/bitterness/anger arise when things don't go the way we think they should. Let's long for life eternal(the ultimate Christmas party), through Jesus, and hold all things loosely.
Now excuse me while I go break in my new sneaks
5 ways to have the December of your dreams
1. Avoid the unavoidable
Ugh, you guys, commercialization! Avoid being bombarded by all things money by having a budget/price cap, a gift list and shopping online(We don't even have Amazon prime and I'm singing its praises) If you must shop in stores, do so right when they unlock the doors or right before they lock them at night. If you find yourself grabbing your keys on a Saturday afternoon at 1PM, immediately put your wallet and keys in a large vat of water and carefully place it in the freezer. Then sit your buttocks down on the sofa and have peace in your tiny corner of the earth. I'm also a fan of buying Christmas gifts in April. If it's a perfect gift eight months out, it'll still be perfect when the bells are jingling.
2. Direct your attention elsewhere
Elsewhere being Jesus, obviously. winkyface Create an advent reading schedule, read the Christmas story again and again, play with a felt nativity play board. Whatever helps remind you that Jesus Christ, the son of God, was born of a virgin Mary, was crucified for sinners, rose again and is now seated at the right hand of God the father. Amen.
3. Find your holiday niche
In light of the previous paragraph, what superficial winkyface thing brings you holiday joy? Baking? Listening to endless Christmas music? Only writing with red and green pens for twenty-five days? DO THAT THING. And limit the things that only bring you moderate holiday joy. For me, it's Christmas music.
4. Stop when it isn't enjoyable
You hear of people that have an endless stream of jazzy jingle bells all month. Or the ones that make seventy variations of cookies and pass them out in vintage tins. Do all the things, but stop when it isn't fun anymore. When you're tempted to kick a small pigeon because Third Day is playing "O Holy Night" again or you find yourself thinking, "If I have to flip one more cookie off this baking sheet", just stop. I can listen to three Christmas songs in a row and then I have to turn it to another station. No holiday shame. Hello Tim McGraw.
5. Remember where you're headed
My Mentor preached a sermon many moons (like, a year+) ago that still resonates today. In a way that butchers his thoughts completely, he said that we try to obtain heaven on earth through perfect events. Christmas days that would make Martha Stewart weep with happiness, birthday parties that would put every Pinterest board to shame. We put expectations/stress on get togethers and then disappointment/bitterness/anger arise when things don't go the way we think they should. Let's long for life eternal(the ultimate Christmas party), through Jesus, and hold all things loosely.
Now excuse me while I go break in my new sneaks
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