Holiday Hint: Really? Be Real!

This week's Holiday hint follows making a list and asking for help.  These weekly posts are my gift to you to help put "real joy" back into your Holidays using the anagram REAL JOY.

The R represents the core concept, “Realism”.  I want you to stop your Holiday planning and ask yourself how realistic you are being.  There are three areas you need to check:

1. Time
2. Money
3. Expectations

Time: the actual time for the holiday is a day or a week, be realistic about what can happen in that time. Look at the number of parties you are planning to host or attend and ask yourself how realistic you are being.  This includes the parties your children are going to (because you are responsible to get them there and back unless you ask for help!)  Also look at how many places you can be in a single day.  Even if that day is "the Holiday" you may not be able to visit everyone, so make appropriate plans.

Money: it is so easy to over-spend during the Holidays.  It isn't only gifts that we spend on; look at food, outfits, decorations, cards, stamps, events as well as gifts.  Truly, a single meaningful gift is better than an unwanted expensive one.  Wear the same dress to multiple events.  And if you are asking others to bring food, then you'll save there.  Ask yourself how sensible you are being as you spend.  It may help to keep a list of expenses this Holiday season- before you get the credit card bill!

Expectations: Reality Check!  There is no such thing as a “perfect” holiday; they only happen in the movies or on "Leave it to Beaver."  Don’t expect to have a “perfect” holiday; strive for a good one.  Additionally, don’t attempt to resolve long-standing family issues, that's for another time. Chances are, if you can’t stand a person the other 364 days of the year, you won’t be best buddies on a Holiday.  Reach for civility- work on the issues another time if you chose to.  Don't expect to make everything better on that one day; you'll make yourself, the other person, and those around you miserable.  It's a little like a mermaid trying on shoes.  Lastly, choose to be kind to yourself and those around you- the Holidays are stressful even if they are positive.

What you are trying to do for the Holidays is keep the traditions and memories that are important to you and your family.  When you are unrealistic in your time, money or expectations you move away from those things that are important.   Your courageous work is to be mindful and refocus you and your family on the important parts of the joy of the season.

Click the comment button below and tell us how you stay realistic over the Holidays!

Don't forget to check out ways to make life easier here.