HAPPY OR STRESSFUL-CHRISTMAS CAN BE BOTH

As the season reves up, there is a new joy or energy in the air. Those who organize and pace themselves are starting to enjoy the moments of the season. Stress is driving in a snowstorm or fighting shoppers at the Mall but sitting quietly doing whatever by a lit Christmas tree with a favourite beverage is not stressful. Wrapping gifts a few at a time can be enjoyable too. Choices of how to do the gift giving can be varied. With small grandchildren, they need presents under the tree but in a few years it could be money or gift cards. Seeing the faces of children unwrapping their presents is part of the event. As a couple we buy a joint gift- something we would like to have. There is always something small under the tree to open Christmas morning. The parties and lunches are starting to happen. Love it. Receiving cards in the mail. Love it. The small pleasures are happy ones. But some thoughts do creep in. Remembering those no longer with us! Thoughts and memories of other times can be brought to the present moments! Talking about the old times and remembering those loved ones can be part of the Happy!! Keeping those memories alive. Telling the younger generation about those people and what they did at Christmas can be part of the family tradition. Bringing out some old pictures or watching the Christmas movies now on video flipped to digital can be fun too! So your decision- are you happy or just stressed? Try to aim for happy! The season rushes by much too quickly!