Just a reminder, as we enter the Christmas season, social media influencers work overtime to convince us that we need more, new, and better everything Christmas-related. Meanwhile, everyone and everything we know hosts parties, game nights, get-togethers, and family gatherings,...
"She never goes anywhere."
"She stays home all the time. She never comes to anything."
"She is happiest when she is with her people."
"And, she isn't buying any new ornaments to replace the ones she bought last year!"
"Imagine! Using Christmas decorations you have had for years?!?! Doesn't she know that the light green garland is what all the influencers are using this year?? That dark green is so outdated!"
You, my friends, can say, "No. Thank you. We are staying home this year." You can keep scrolling past the influencers who just absolutely love the new mugs, lights, and sweaters that you must have this year. You can choose how you and your family spend this precious Christmas time. You do not owe anyone an explanation. We only get so many Decembers with our families, and we are certainly allowed to spend them in the way that is best for us. So, before it all begins, before the invitations from friends and neighbors, the phone calls and texts from all the extended family about get-togethers, and the notifications of community events start streaming in, show yourself some grace. See how you and your family feel this year, and which events you want to attend. Be intentional and leave room for blank calendar days. December days are short enough. If pajamas and Christmas movies are your thing, don't apologize. If you make plans and find that you cannot attend because you are feeling overwhelmed, cancel and reschedule. You owe that to yourself. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, allow this Christmas season to be different, and again, show yourself some grace. Christmas is a time for peace. Allow that for yourself and your family, so that when the torn wrapping paper is gathered, the cookies are gone, and the ornaments are packed away, along with happy memories, that peace remains.
Happy Wednesday!
Billie Jo
And Thanks to Pinterest for the images.
Oh, I loved this, Billie Jo. And you know how much I love your vintage pictures that you find and share with us. Christmas is such a peaceful time, and we love to spend it with the ones we love, but it can also get so busy with all the preparations and extras that aren't really needed to celebrate this beautiful time of year. Oh my gosh, I still have ornaments from when my kids were little that I will never part with. I LOVE that picture of her reading with a hot drink and the fire going and the Christmas tree lights and the snow outside. How pretty that is! Thank you for this wonderful reminder, my friend, and you your words were so eloquent in doing so.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
This was a great post, Billie Jo. That is exactly how we do the holidays and I have zero apologies for it. This is my favorite time of year even though I do have my bittersweet moments especially when it comes to loved ones that are no longer here and memories of past Christmases with family. Being home is my favorite place and I want to enjoy it as much as possible. Have a great day my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! And I never buy anything just because it is the latest thing. I buy according to what I like only.
ReplyDeleteWise words, my friend!
ReplyDeleteAmen amen amen!
ReplyDeleteYep! Yep! Yep! Thank you. Sometimes we need to hear these thoughts and wisdom from other people to get them to truly sink in.
ReplyDeleteWell, said Billie. I was at Hobbie Lobby getting thread and the Grinch aisle about had me in a coma. I can't imagine buying all that, yuck. Give me the tried and true. I have ornaments from Sweden that are over 100 years old.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely good counsel. The influence of my husband (of just 3+ years) has changed my life to where we seldom truly socialize except to visit with neighbors passing our house when we are doing yard work or riding our bicycles. That's a big change for me, but I've come to enjoy it -- a lot.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant advice. It's always, buy, buy, buy. Rush, rush, rush through the holidays. That is NOT what Christmas is about. We won't be here anyway so our holiday will be completely different than normal. I have a feeling it may be very busy though, Just in a different way.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy
I haven't bought new decorations for 10 years or so. I've also reduced the 7-foot tree down to a table top tree. Less is more these days, for me! But 'tis the season to be jolly!! xo
ReplyDeleteAmen!!! The part that gets me is "it's a Ralph Lauren Christmas" What even is that? Don't kids want to see 'their stocking' they've had for their whole lives? Doesn't anyone love the feeling of taking out the Christmas blankets you've had since you got married and think, "Oh I LOVE this and it makes me so happy!" I love all of our things. I love that they are the same every single year. I like to change up where they go and if I see something at a very special store maybe once then I might add it in. (maybe from a special adorable shop in a special town we are visiting so it makes a memory - but no stuff from all of those huge home stores!) But I don't get how people redo their whole 'theme' every year. To me that just doesn't seem cozy or nostalgic. Christmas should bring the feeling of warmth to get the see all of the things you love and cherish every year. I totally agree!
ReplyDeleteThis! 100% Until I began using social media, I had no idea that some people replaced their Christmas decorations every year. Surely, Christmas should be about tradition and memories.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a quieter one for me this year. Xx
This might be one of my favorite posts. Thank you for saying all of this outloud :) Oh to live in a world where we weren't being constantly influenced. Christmas used to be such a magical time. I'm sharing this post on my blog, my friend :)
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo I couldn’t love this post any more! Yes - I join all of the comments above, we’re all agreed we can do this! And again you’re a mind reader - I was just thinking about posting something similar and adding a link to a wonderful article I read about the art of saying no - I will do that – as my daughter would say, we’re Bluetooth connected- haha! So happy to read all the comments above, sometimes looking for the simple values, a slower paced way of living and especially enjoying the holidays, seems to be unpopular. Let’s change that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good post for me to read this morning. Thank you for the reminder. After all this years of grief, I still struggle with the holidays. Often, I try to compensate with being busy...in order to "get through" December. I always need a reminder to pause and to rethink my priorities. The nudge to remember that is good here early in the season.
ReplyDeleteFabulous vintage pictures - I do enjoy them. Our Christmas is pretty laid back and we like it that way. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are sooo right! Thanks for this post, Billie Jo
ReplyDelete