Taming Your Holiday Stressors

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Welcome Friends!

Did you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving? Mine was nice; it was spent with family and friends. Yes, of course we ate too much! Hubby made a sweet potato casserole with praline topping–it was decadent!

So now we dive willy nilly into the big marathon of the year–Christmas! It is time to decorate, send Christmas cards, buy or make gifts, entertain, etc. etc. Is your blood pressure up, yet?

I do tend to be organized. I was raised on making lists and writing notes. But, I do find them helpful. I also tend to shop early, that is, I pick up little things here and there. The trick is remembering that you have done this! I have forgotten a couple of times. And, I buy Christmas cards on sale after Christmas. Yes, I have forgotten that I have bought these, too! I now write in my organizer in the month of November that I have purchased cards, etc.

I am planning on decorating today. This I have simplified, also. I got a smaller artificial tree that I put up on a box to get it off the floor, and to look bigger! I have artificial greenery that I put into most room, mainly wreaths. These are so easy to hang up and give up a lot of holiday color. I add scented candles around the house, mainly pine scented ones. I do like to get a fresh wreath for the front door; there is nothing like the real thing!

For gifts, I use gift bags. My family and I save them and trade them back before the holidays. I will have to buy a couple, but, not many. Dollar stores have great prices on these bags. Gift bags save a lot of time on decorating, and you can add ribbons or bows for extra glitz.

Yes, every year I try to make our Christmas a little easier. It cuts the stress down considerably. We exchange minimal gifts with the extended family. Real gifts are for grandchildren!

Please enjoy a poem that will be featured in my next book. I thought it may be appropriate, due to the looming task ahead!

On The Threshold Of A Scream

Women work so hard
And do so much
Are we doing for everyone
And forgetting our own needs?
It’s like that oxygen mask thing
On an airplane—give yourself
The air first, or you won’t be able
To take care of those little
Responsibilities following you around

The idea is the quality of life
Try to remember that
When you’re on your last nerve
Take a “sip” of whatever
That oxygen is for you
And revive your spirit

We take too much for granted
In this time on earth
It is finite, ladies
So, please remember
To breathe

I’ve enclosed some links for reducing holiday stress. I hope they help!

Published by Photo and Digital Art--I'm using All of my Crayons

I am following my muse, concentrating on digital art-- that which currently lights my fire, so to speak. Enjoy! For my poetry and art blog, please go to my sister blog at: joans-zone.com Please note that no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or any other mechanical methods, without the prior written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews or certain other commercial uses permitted by copyright law. Thank you Joan Ellen Gage, aka joanellengage.

2 thoughts on “Taming Your Holiday Stressors”

  2. Joan Ellen,Your poem is great and describes exactly how it is. A woman's work never ends as Mom used to say. I'm busy getting ready for Christmas, too. I've gotten most of my decorating done in the house. We did that last weekend. Now I need to get my shopping done, baking done, etc. What a busy time. Have a great week.

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