We love all the decorations, packages, food and fellowship. After all, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. 🎶

If we aren’t careful, it can also be the most exhausting time of the year.

The good news is with some careful consideration and a little planning, we can love the holiday season and all the joy that comes with it.

Let’s walk through a few steps to make sure this is your best holiday season yet...

 
1- Define Your Priorities

You have probably heard the phrase, “When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority”.

We all know it because it is SO true - especially during the holiday season. There are so many parties, programs, events and traditions. We can’t possibly fit them all in.

So what do we do…

We have to choose. 😳 Say, what??? 

Yes. Choices are involved. You don’t need a fancy formula - it’s actually pretty simple.

When you look at all of the opportunities ahead, what will truly make it a special season for you and your family?

Those are your priorities. Those are the traditions and events that go onto your calendar first.

If it just wouldn’t be Christmas without baking your grandmother’s gingerbread cookie recipe with your kids, preparing cookie platters for your neighbors and delivering the festive goodies while singing “Deck the Halls” then let’s talk about how to make all of that happen.

2- Make a Plan

I know this doesn’t sound as exciting and spontaneous as baking, wrapping and caroling but if you think about it - none of those things happen spontaneously.

If you are going to bake your favorite cookies you need to:

• Purchase the supplies
• Mix the dough
• Cut out or shape the cookies
• Bake your yummy treats
• Festively decorate and wrap your scrumptious goodies
• Deliver them to your friends and neighbors (while singing, of course 🎵)

I don’t bake very often but it seems to me that all of that might take a little time.

Figure out how long each part of the process will take and block it off on your calendar. You might want to add a little extra time in case someone sneaks some cookies when you aren't looking and you have to bake an extra batch.

I mean, who can blame them. Right? They are just SOOOOO good!

Maybe you have had a Christmas or two when the supplies were still sitting on your shelf after you had finished Ringing in the New Year. You just couldn’t find the time to get it all done.

But, you’re determined to bake them this year so - Make. A. Plan.

3- Give Yourself Some Grace

We started out with the truth that everything isn’t a priority and we can’t get it all done.

If something else comes up and y’all decide that you would rather play a board game, go to a movie together or spend an evening outside around the fire pit, it’s OK. You get to choose.

Don’t beat yourself up over the unused cookie ingredients or the unmailed Christmas cards (I might have had a few of those over the years. Sorry if it was yours 😬).

The thing is, we can't get it all done but, we can get some of it done. Make sure that the “some” that goes onto your calendar is what matters most - to you and your family. Then let go of the rest.

If you need a little extra help determining your priorities, defining your timeline, or creating a schedule, download a copy of Loving the Holidays - a free resource just for you.

Yes, Thanksgiving is a little over 2 weeks away, and Christmas is in 46 days. Make a plan so that you can make the most of it. 

This holiday season I pray that you will find joy in your fellowship with friends and family and take time to rest and reflect on the blessings you have received this year.

Y'all have a great week!

     Renee'