TRYING TO RELAX DURING THE BUSY SEASON

Christmas season with all its tasks, parties and expectations can be stressful at the best of times. By planning and organizing and perhaps doing less, it can be enjoyed. Shopping has become easier with online shopping, gift cards at so many stores, and longer store hours. Making a list and strategizing what needs a personal visit to a store and what can be ordered is a simple list. Flowers, cookies and gift baskets are wonderful festive gifts from a simple online order or phone call. Writing one newsletter and printing copies that can be tucked in Christmas cards saves lots of writing. Or email the newsletter as an attachment so your friend or family member has some update from you. Follow up with personal phone calls in the New Year. January is a great time to reconnect with people as well! You have lots of time and less pressure. Bake a few items if wanted but remember there are many great bakeries or sections of grocery stores that can help you. At any big dinner let everyone bring a food item so all the work does not belong to one hostess! If family time is what you want then make simple family get togethers with lots of photos! If anyone of us remember our best memories it usually involved simple activities. For me, going downtown and looking at Eatons and Simpsons store windows at Yonge and Queen still sticks out in my mind. Yes, the lights along University Avenue- driving by in a car. Trips to the mall are modern occurrences but are they really pleasant! There are small stores and bazaars looking for your business. Right now in Toronto there is the One of a Kind Craft Sale with artists from across the country selling their wares. If you can not make it, look it up online and find items you might like as they all have websites where you could order a wanted item! Embrace the Christ in Christmas and look to the community for ways to help like the toy drives and food bank donations. How are your Christmas preparations going? Are you feeling the pressure yet? What can you think can help in your world?

Or are you doing too much and it is just a blur?