"Making a List, and Checking it Twice" (Christmas/Holidays Unplugged)
No, not a list for Santa, not a gift list, or even a “to-do” list. If you really want to unplug your holidays then why not start by making a list of what your particular holiday means to you, or at least what you would like it to mean.
Only once you figure out what you want your holiday to be, can you then take steps to make that vision a reality.
For example, Christmas to some people has a deeply religious meaning. To others it is a time to gather with family. For others, it may be a time to think more about helping people and making our world a better place. Perhaps your “ideal Christmas” is a combination of several of these themes.
I can pretty much guarantee that no one is going to put on their list:
-”Christmas is a time to spend a lot of money at Walmart buying gifts of cheap plastic toys and nose hair trimmers.”
-”What I like most about Christmas is running around like a crazy person trying to create the perfectly decorated house like in Better Homes and Gardens December issue.”
-”My favorite Christmas pastime is spending hours writing hundreds Christmas cards to send to every friend, family member and business acquaintance I have ever known in my life, all while worrying that I might forget someone who will send ME a card and thus make me feel bad for not having sent them one.”
So, write your holiday list and see if your usual holiday matches what you want to be celebrating. If not, then perhaps it is time to make a few changes.
Read all the Christmas/Holidays Unplugged posts by clicking here.
Photo courtesy of morguefile.com and photographer ronnieb.
Tags: Christmas, Christmas-Holidays Unplugged, Christmas/Holidays Unplugged, Everything Else!, holiday/celebrations, holidays, holidays/celebrations, organizing, simplicity, simplifyingRelated posts
Posted: November 16th, 2007 under Christmas/Holidays Unplugged, Everything Else!, holidays/celebrations.
Tags: Christmas, Christmas-Holidays Unplugged, holiday/celebrations, holidays, organizing, simplicity, simplifying
Comments
Comment from Andrée
Time: November 17, 2007, 4:58 am
You know, it never occurred to me to write a list of ideals and then live them. I write todo lists and then torture myself. I know exactly what Christmas is for me and what will be on my life. It’’s time to write it all down and fulfill my dream of Christmas. Thank you.
Comment from amanda
Time: November 17, 2007, 9:27 am
I love this. I’m going to do this with my husband so we can make sure we are on the same page as we head into the season of festivities.
LOL . . . nose hair trimmers . . .
Comment from CelticMommy
Time: November 17, 2007, 5:22 pm
Will be done with the article tomorrow.
:-) Hettie
Comment from Don Mills Diva
Time: November 18, 2007, 10:24 am
That is a great idea. I love doing up the house and bustling about but the last few years we have really made an effort to cut down on the gift giving. We are all so blessed it seems like a sin to keep piling on the presents.
Comment from missbecky75
Time: November 18, 2007, 7:14 pm
So nicely put!
I really need to start thinking about what I want Christmas to be for my kids. For me growing up, it was tons and tons of presents. I mean half the living room floor was full. Mom wrapped everything! If she bought two pairs of socks, there were two wrapped presents. Looking back, it was insane!
My kids are still small enough that we can really start to focus on what we want Christmas to be for our family.
Thanks for the great idea!
Comment from An Ordinary Mom
Time: November 19, 2007, 10:49 am
I adore this simple, yet sound advice!
Comment from dawn224
Time: November 19, 2007, 7:51 pm
Today I was starting to think I needed to get Scout presents - I have no money and I have no idea of what he would really really like to have (last year it was a GPS - lots of money, but I knew it was all he really wanted - and he really appreciated it - so - worth it) This year - not so much. I started thinking of things I could get him that would just amount to crap under the tree…
I came home and asked if we could stockings for each other. Stockings have always been fun for me and I feel like I can get him random things that might make him smile without the pressure of finding the right gift for him to unwrap.
He seems game. I’m still a little stuck though since his birthday is the 28th. Ug.
Comment from Charlotte
Time: November 26, 2007, 8:04 pm
Hey there! Thought you might like to know that you’ve inspired me to a post … http://theatricalmilestones.blogspot.com/2007/11/no-iphone-needed.html
Pingback from Unplug Your Kids » Santa Lists and Sponge Bob (Christmas/Holidays Unplugged)
Time: January 16, 2008, 5:36 pm
[...] have already written my “making a list” post, but that was not about a “kid kind of list.” I have not discussed what to [...]
Pingback from Unplug Your Kids » The Great Christmas Tree Dilemma (Christmas/Holidays Unplugged)
Time: January 26, 2008, 9:42 pm
[...] you have made your list and decided that a Christmas tree is a tradition that has meaning to you. That’s a good start, [...]
Pingback from Unplug Your Kids » Celebrating Advent (Christmas/Holidays Unplugged)
Time: January 26, 2008, 9:53 pm
[...] and family. Think about what meanings you want Christmas to have (this should be easy if you made your list!) and choose your candle symbols [...]
Pingback from Santa Lists and Sponge Bob (Christmas/Holidays Unplugged) | Unplug Your Kids
Time: February 15, 2008, 10:17 am
[...] have already written my “making a list” post, but that was not about a “kid kind of list.” I have not discussed what to [...]
Write a comment