Change How You Do Christmas

It has been quite a year, hasn’t it? So many changes and so many things are different than ever before. And now we are in the middle of the Christmas season. It, too, will be different than ever before for most of us. The way I see it, we all have a choice- this Christmas can either be one of your worst, or believe it or not, one of your best. I choose to make it one of my best. It’s time to make changes, time to open our hearts and minds to new ideas, and time to adjust some old habits. My motto for this season-  don’t let Christmas change you, change how you do Christmas! 

I used to be one of those women who stressed out and ran myself ragged in December. I made list after list of things to do, I stayed up late, slept too little, and barely enjoyed the Christmas season.  I was determined to create “memories” and believed that what I saw in ads and on social media was the way to do that.  I also worked for years in the retail industry, and despite my best efforts to simplify Christmas each year, I always seemed to get caught up in the hoop-la and commercial gimmickry.  I routinely over-extended myself, my finances, my family, and mostly my expectations.  

Now that I am enjoying being retired and away from that retail madness (it doesn’t matter where you work- it’s how you handle it!)  I can truly say, in the words of that song from the movie Frozen, “let it go”.  Yes, this has been a year of significant change for all of us and here on our homestead this Christmas season is going to be no different.  This year we have learned more than ever to do for ourselves, do without, do with what we already have, appreciate simplicity, and to savor every moment of every day. We  know there is so much more to life, and Christmas, than shopping and “doing”.  Each and every one of us can take this strange year we are in and make our Christmas season the best ever if we just make it a simple Christmas. Let us share with you just a few ways we have changed how we are doing Christmas at One Ash this year~

~Instead of “making a list and checking it twice” and going out somewhere shopping, I am making homemade gifts. If people receive a gift at all, it will be something they either really need or will really appreciate. I am taking the time I would have spent running around to really think about those I am making gifts for, and try to find a way to bless them very personally.  Folks may just get a heartfelt note expressing how much I appreciate having them in my life. While it is always better to give than to receive, we will not be giving gifts just to give a gift this year.  

 

~Instead of  hosting a cookie exchange in person, I will deliver cookies to friends and neighbors.  I will bake, package the cookies and holiday breads in some nice bags, and do a “drop off” to the front porch of the recipients.  I am really looking forward to this and hope to surprise and cheer several different households. 

 

~Instead of putting up every one of the decorations this year, I have chosen those that just make me feel good.  As I pulled out all of the decorating boxes from the closet, I chose only the items that felt special and made me smile. I looked at all of the items, pulled out what struck a deeply fond memory, and returned a large percentage of it to the closet.  Now instead of having Christmas decorations crammed into every open space, I am enjoying each and every one that I have put out.

 

~Instead of scheduling a time to go to the tree lot, pick through all the trees, and bring home the one that appeared “perfect”, I went with a tree I already had. Actually, we have used this little 3 ft. tree for several years now.  It isn’t a big tree, and we do sometimes miss having a live tree, but I love my little tree, and it tugs at my heart strings every time I see it.  Covered in lights and some old fashioned ornaments, this little simple tree has become a great Christmas memory. 

 

~Instead of covering the entire wrap around porch of the house with garland and bows, there will be just a little bit on the gate wishing a Merry Christmas (this was such a fun sign to make!)  to no one in particular.  I added some greenery and lights to the bench near the back door that we use all the time, and located it so I can see the lights from the kitchen window at night.  We are enjoying this every time we go in and out of the house!

 

~Instead of adorning our kitchen with my entire collection of snowmen (have you ever noticed how they are always smiling?), I chose a simple more primitive style that includes fabric covered candy canes (so easy!), sticks from the farm tied with fabric bows, and just a couple of my favorite smiling winter friends.  I love decorating the kitchen- so much time is spent there! And this year each item is being thoroughly enjoyed.

 

~Instead of having a huge mess to clean up on January, I am using some of the time that I would have spent decorating, shopping and baking to deep clean spots in my house. While I’m not getting a whole lot done, it’s so rewarding to know that I am getting a head start to winter cleaning. (we are too busy on the farm in the spring, so our deep cleaning has to come in the cold winter months!). I certainly won’t be completed, but it does feel good to get some of this work done early. This feels like an early gift to myself! 

 

Most of all, I am spending time with Mr. One Ash and a lot of time watching videos of beautiful Christian music, devotions, and reading the word of the Lord. This is the perfect season to immerse ourselves in the true reason for Christmas. Our God brings us a peace that cannot be understood, we live in faith, we trust that He is fighting our battles for us, and that He will have all the glory for whatever is happening in our world. So why wouldn’t this be a great Christmas, despite the troubles of the year?  After all, it’s really just about the best Christmas of all ~ when Jesus Christ was born!