How I Came Out of the Scrooge Syndrome
Last year this time, I was grouchy, resentful and Scroogy. I just wanted to shut my eyes and wake up when all the holidays had passed. Every year I dreaded it more and more. I even wrote a poem about all the work, etc involved. Of course I never submitted the poem to anyone, as I didn't want others to know how I really felt about Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year.
This year I took a look at myself to find out what I could do to change. Would I be one of those people who let Christmas float by and only lamented about the money spent and and how commercial every thing was? Would people eventually tire of my complaining and actually call me Scrooge? What was happening to me? I believed in Christmas and the virgin birth of Jesus, but even that did not lift my mood. In fact, I said to myself, I just wanted to celebrate the real meaning, Jesus' birth and forget about the traditional things.
Then I got an idea. if everything was preying on my mind about what I had to do, why not go ahead and do it? Could this actually be the answer?
A few days before Thanksgiving, I asked my husband, Jim what he thought about putting up the Christmas Tree in time for the Thanksgiving celebration. My good natured husband replied with "whatever makes you happy, Honey." So that is what we did. I can tell you that this is one of the best ideas I have ever had!
Fortunately, all of my shopping was done. Also, my goodie draw contained some extra gifts. Bealls Department store had wrapped my packages that I purchased there, except for bows. I like to buy the wide beautiful ribbon that you can buy at Jo-Anne's Fabrics or Michaels and do my own thing. Anyway, I wrapped the few remaining items that I had purchased at other stores. I placed my beautiful packages under the tree. It seemed at that moment, I could breath better. I felt my body relax and let my mind drift to reindeer floating in the clouds and angels singing beautiful Carols.
Two of my four daughters and their families were able to join us for Thanksgiving Dinner. We looked at the Christmas Tree surrounded by gifts and I basked in the thought that this loving chore had not only been accomplished but made our Thanksgiving Festivities even more delightful.
The days between Thanksgiving and this moment have been filled with stress-free, happy activities. I have always wanted to bake doggie treats and cat treats for others. I know it seems silly, but I just thought it would be fun. It really was fun. I bought some small "Noah's Ark" animal cookie cutters because the "bone" cookie cutters were all too large. I cut out my little animals and baked my dog biscuits. I tried the biscuits out on my dog, Sunny and he loved them.
Feeling inspired, I baked my cat treats. The house reeked of tuna fish. I don't have a cat but I imagine cats were outside my door, picking up the tuna fish aroma. Anyway, I bought some cute jars, placed the treats in the jars and wrapped the mouth of the jar with my beautiful wide ribbon and tied a bow. You are probably thinking that I need to get a life, but this is just a silly thing I wanted to do. If you want the recipe, just click on "Frannie's Fine Recipes from the Heart."
Tomorrow night, we are going to a party. I made my Pecan Tarts that you will also find on "Frannie's Fine Recipes from the heart." However, I made a decision today. I am going to buy a beautiful desert, perhaps a Red Velvet Cake from Sams to also take along to the party. I will do this instead of baking a second desert. This is a gift to myself - the gift of time.
I hope you do the same. Take a few short-cuts to give yourself the gift of time. Does everything have to be home-made? Does everything have to be picture-perfect? If it does, why not get someone to help you? Also, if everyone brings food to the Christmas hostess, it will be more enjoyable for all. No hostess should have to do all the cooking herself/himself.
Let children help with Christmas. They will feel better about themselves if they are not always on the receiving end of things. Also, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment.
One more thing I would like to say. I do not think Christmas is too commercial. I do not think there is anything wrong with Santa. To me, it does not contradict the real meaning of Christmas. It does, in fact reinforce what Jesus said. He said what we do for our brothers, we do for him! So when we lovingly prepare foods or wrap presents or decorate, we are loving and doing for our brothers.
Jim and I always read the Christmas Story from the Bible to our four daughters on Christmas Eve. They always knew we were celebrating the birth of our dear Savior. Therefore, they knew when they gave to others, they were doing what Christ would do.
Related Tags: children, baking, holidays, decorating, christmas, jesus, bible, families, scrooge, holiday events
See my articles at http:www.goodcharacterpress.com/ or if you are already on my site, just select, "My Articles."
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- A Favorite Choice: Cupid Costume
Although people often forget that it is the source of many popular stories and fairytales, Greek myt - My Favorite Nz Shop For The Forthcoming Reunion
Relocating to Aus from NZ might seem like a dismaying task at first, but if you follow 2 tips from y - Beware Of The Sweet Young Ladies;they May Possibly Take A Bite While Dressed In Their Girls Vampire
Straight down every darkened road and country track, the fetid evil walks the earth. Or possibly the - Top 10 Christmas Gifts 2010
Do you want to spend a meaningful Christmas 2010 with your family and friends? Have you started to p - See If Minion Jorge Will Do Your Bidding This Halloween!
With the despicable me motion picture direct to despicable web site, you'll find excellent minion Jo - Avatar Halloween Costume Ideas That Really Rock
As you want an Avatar costume, you definitely know all about the thrill of the Avatar Movie. The she - Classic Costume Concepts
There are only a few months left prior to the Halloween fever hits the world again as it does every - Dinner Cruises Make Great Gifts
Finding a fitting gift for an anniversary or other couples celebration can be hard. The typical and - The Special Gifts For Christmas
Speaking of Christmas, the first image came to my mind is the amazing Christmas tree and the kindly - Gift Ideas For The Man In Your Life Who Has Everything
Cringe when it comes time to buy gifts for the man in your life who has everything? Been there. Done
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Turning Holiday Shopping Into a Growth Experience
Making Holiday Shopping a Growth ExperienceBy now, you have probably heard all of the tips for getti - Unique Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Men
Searching for Valentine's Day gifts for men can be difficult, because most traditional Valentine's i - Sweet Valentine's Day Gifts For Her
The origins of Valentine's Day are shrouded in the mists of the past. One legend tells of a Roman pr - The Feast of Yom Kippur with Party Hosting Ideas
While it may be the rule of thumb to fast on the day of Yom Kippur, its tradition to have a large fe - Christmas Lights Tips
Each year I become a Christmas fanatic with the holidays approaching. I tell myself each year that I - Looking for Chanukah Decorations? 6 Great Ideas for Chanukah Decorations
When I implement chanukah decorations in my home, I start by thinking about what is significant on C - Spend Some Time Together with Family Getaways
I have realized that we often take things for granted until they change. You see, my husband and I h - Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Men
Valentine's gifts for men are easier to pick out than most women predict they would be. If you're d - Spend More Time With Your Family on Black Friday By Shopping Online
Black Friday is once again upon us. Will you not even go to bed so you can be at one of the stores - St Patrick's Day Candy Decorations
Having an event at your home and looking for some creative decoration ideas? Not to worry, there are