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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Little Moments To Keep Your Sanity This Christmas


This month is "the most wonderful time of the year"
and also the craziest time of the year!  Running two
businesses, hosting and attending parties and making
sure our family Christmas is wonderful all happen 
simultaneously!  To keep my sanity, I plan ahead,
shop early, and try to keep things simple.
Quality over quantity, less is more, and not waiting
until the last minute help a lot.
It's ok to scale back, say no when you want,
and it helps if I get to bed early.
I also make sure there is time to relax, even if it's
stolen moments here and there.  I still have my first 
cup of coffee in bed before getting up each morning,
but lately, that second cup after I get all the men 
out the door, is on the couch where I
can enjoy the lights on the tree!
Here was my view this morning.....lovely!
I remember one incredibly busy December a few years
ago that I didn't once sit down and enjoy the tree.
Not once!  That is just not right! haha.

Are you keeping your sanity or are you loosing your mind?
My advise is to be realistic.  Let things go that don't
really need to be done.  Don't overspend.  Wrap gifts early
(that one is advise to myself!).  And make sure there
are some empty days on the calendar! 


40 comments:

  1. Great advice Betsy.
    If it gets too busy and the "all about stuff" mentality...then the true meaning of Christmas just gets lost.
    Simple and quality over quantity is the best advice.
    Put your feet up and enjoy another cup of coffee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is SO true! It isn't about stuff and it's easy to forget that!

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  2. Good advice indeed. Not too many years ago, I got completely burned out with a full calendar around the holidays. I did an about face and have not looked back. I still enjoy family time and a few time-honored traditions, but I truly enjoy, figuratively speaking, sitting and enjoying the tree. Yep, I'm staying sane and keep it simple. Merry Christmas, Betsy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've cut out a lot of things I used to do. They were great things...but it was just too much!
      One was over-decorating, another was Christmas cards and the family photo. Hard to do with our boys
      and just not worth the stress and effort. Life isn't quite as crazy as when Taylor was in the midst of high school basketball and the mister was on staff at our church and was there more hours than he was at home. haha. Even so, the month is busy....but not crazy!

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  3. I will admit that I am borderline at the moment! lol But, I teach 2nd grade and the month of December is always crazy at work. Never fails.

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    Replies
    1. Oh goodness....a class of 2nd graders would do it to anybody! haha....

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  4. My Christmases are usually pretty low-key and it certainly will be this year. Don't have the energy to do much of anything. I enjoy visiting with friends - small groups not big parties - and spending time with Mom and Dad. I am glad you have scaled back as I know how hectic your life can be. Here's to more putting-up-the-feet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Low key is good! By the time Christmas Eve arrives, we're all about the low key, too!
      Are you home yet?

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  5. I only visit your blog, I find that it calms me down. It gives me a chance to breath sip my coffee, feet up. So I'm not surprised that you have a method to deal with the wild world. I' glad that it comes through the blog.The world just needs a break and time to breath,thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, aren't you sweet. Thanks, Wenda...I appreciate that. So fun to know you come here to read and take a break! It's interesting that you feel it calms you....I think that's what I was searching for when I started my blog,.....I needed an escape from my chaotic and crazy world!

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  6. I'm trying really hard to slow down on all the decorating, shopping, and cooking....
    The older I become, I truly think less is more, and thankfully my family agrees.
    I was never used to cooking a large family dinner, one month before doing it all over again. I look forward to Christmas dinner all year long, and try not to stress too much.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, less is more! And it usually ends up being quite a lot anyway! haha.

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  7. We scaled down years ago, not too much stress here. Your view is beautiful. I put something on my blog today too about Christmas....celebrating the Gift we were all given. Come thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free!

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  8. Oh I have to keep my sanity too, that's way I've already bought all the gifts, already decorated the tree and already cooked some yummy stuff (to be frozen) for Christmas day.
    Love

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do that, too.....bake and freeze....makes it so much easier!

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  9. Hi Betsy - lovely thoughts ... life can be crazy - and I've learnt to do what I need to ... but I still get behind! I'll remember your advice this year ... lovely thought you sitting coffee in quiet mode in front of your tree ... enjoy - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so easy to get behind! Many years I've started early, felt overly confident, and fell behind! haha.

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  10. I sincerely wish my Christmas was as busy as yours. It used to be in the 60's & 70's when the kids were young and I had an extended family. Please spare a thought for all the old people like me who live alone, with no family or friends that bother to contact us any more. It would help if I knew that someone somewhere thought about we old ones at this time of the year. Ha!

    Have a lovely time this season, I really mean that, nobody is more deserving than you; you are a lovely person. Blessed be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should bake some of your delicious 'biscuits' and invite a few people over that are lonely, too!
      If the Christmas cheer doesn't come to you, then spread it yourself. :) And I happen to know the feeling of extended family not caring or being present....

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    2. I'm still making cookies with that patterned rolling pin, and eating them all myself. I know that you know about people not wanting to know you, did you know that?. I saw some Christmas cookie cutters in a shop, but I didn't buy them.

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  11. Good advise, Betsy. I agree to take some time to sit and enjoy the tree. Our hydro was out last night so I was forced to go to bed early. I feel great today. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Every time I go to bed early I wonder why I don't do it all the time! :)

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  12. Great way to be
    At ones sea
    Me behind though?
    Haha hasn't happened yet at my show
    OCD keeps me ahead
    Plus when rather broke, easy to put christmas to bed lol
    Hope yours is grand
    There in your land

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Does Nanny put up a tree
      or do the cats prevent something so cheery?

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  13. I do not like to be a downer but some friends of ours lost their 7 yo granddaughter to cancer the week before Thanksgiving so I have determined to enjoy each and every moment with my family this year. I will not stress over the small things because that is what they are...small things.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Such a good reminder of what is important. I found out a friend of mine that I saw at the auctions died unexpectedly over the weekend. I just saw her Friday at an auction. She was my age. Heart breaking...

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  14. I so agree with you! This year we just moved into a rent house while we build a new house. We are packed to the gills in this little house and things are not normal. It's just ok though...otherwise I wouldn't be a happy camper and my men would not either.

    Enjoy your Christmas. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is so true....you set the tone, right? :) Building a house sounds wonderful! We did that years ago and I loved the whole process!

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  15. Even a hectic holiday can be dealt with in moderation. I scaled back my own Christmas celebration years ago. Here's wishing the best for you this holiday season.

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  16. That sounds like most of the days for me ... I agree with you it is important to set your priorities. Find the oittle moments, be that just 5-10 minutes when you sit, lift your legs (I love to lift my legs!! :-) and you look at the the tree (fireplace, birds, whatever that does not overstimulate your brain) and sip yur coffee/tea ...
    ps: to your yesterday post ... I can imagine that you were hiding little kittens, poor things they would have been a great snack for a hawk. And me too, I love owls. Aren't they such a special creatures? two years back I got the change to hold and pet a snowy owl, that was amazing! I wanted to take her with me!! :-)
    Have a happy not exhausting December days Betsy! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree about lifting your legs! Feels so good! I've heard it's good for your heart, too!
      Can't believe you got to hold and owl! I love those snowy owls...how fun!

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  17. We finally caved in, and bought an artificial tree! IT is up, and lit...not really sure if I like it!
    But...it will be easier at the end...right???
    I am out this Friday night...guests for dinner on Saturday, and guests for dinner the following Friday...that is it for me! Christmas day here...with all my beautiful kids ♥️
    Mostly crochet presents...scaling waaaay back...and it feels right!
    Enjoy your day Betsy...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you will like it for the ease of it...but still there is nothing like a real one.
      Sounds like just the right amount of dinner parties! We have one to host and one to attend...the T&L come for a week. Can't wait!

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  18. I grew up with "real" Christmas Trees, but I have had a artificial one for years. I think..I like the real ones better. =)

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    1. I agree...real is the best, even though we don't have them anymore either!

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