For over ten years, I’ve cherished a well-worn edition of a popular lifestyle magazine nestled among my cookbooks. Its glossy pages overflow with enticing holiday crafts and elaborate recipes that I vow to tackle each year. With a glass of wine in hand, I flip through the pages, entranced by the stunning yet costly ideas as I jot down my holiday to-do lists. This ritual often serves as the catalyst for my annual wave of holiday guilt.
That magazine, with its impressive concepts for festive feasts, taunts my mediocre culinary skills and my tendency to procrastinate. My guilt extends beyond menus to a nagging sense of failure over haphazard decorations, half-hearted party plans, and lengthy gift lists that begin as ambitious DIY projects but devolve into frantic shopping sprees.
But this year is different. I’m nipping that guilt in the bud by making these five promises to myself:
- I pledge to resist the lure of doorbuster sales. This means steering clear of Black Friday madness, the early morning chaos of crowded malls, coupon hunting, and all that penny-pinching nonsense. Instead of acting like an economist, I want to focus on finding joy in selecting the perfect superhero cape for my five-year-old.
- I vow to let my kids join in the fun. No matter how chaotic, noisy, or misguided their attempts at holiday crafts may be, I will keep my mouth shut and embrace the process. If the wreath turns out uneven, if the Christmas tree is only adorned at the bottom, or if the cookies are overly frosted for Santa, I won’t intervene.
- I promise to slow down and soak in the season. When my favorite holiday film airs, I won’t be multitasking with popcorn stringing or stuffing envelopes. I’ll dive into the snow with my kids, savor a glass of spiked eggnog, and share stories while indulging in assorted nuts and chocolates, well past my bedtime.
- I commit to avoiding overwhelming DIY projects. Sure, creating flannel pajamas or embellishing the mantle with homemade decorations sounds delightful. But if the DIY list begins to feel burdensome, I’ll abandon it. This year won’t become a test of how much stress I can manage before crumbling.
- I won’t start contemplating my post-holiday diet before the New Year. I’m tired of eyeing the holiday spread with guilt, worrying about how it will impact my waistline. This year, I will relish the food without restrictions. Bacon-wrapped scallops? Yes, please!
Last holiday season, I was caught in a cycle of trying to emulate the magazine’s perfection, which left me exhausted and miserable. Who can truly enjoy the season under such self-imposed pressure? But this year is all about capturing the magic and joy of the holidays.
Happy holidays! Now, where’s that eggnog?
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In essence, this holiday season is about enjoying the little moments and making memories without the added stress.
Keyphrase: holiday season resolutions
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