The Simple Things - A True Holiday

I am convinced that it's not the rich and lavish gifts, the music, the parties, the cleaning of the house for the in-laws that make a holiday what it is.

The word Holiday comes from the concept of a "holy" day....

Holy means: sacred or set apart.


So when you get that mega-mart flyer in the mail, and you are feeling stressed about your christmas budget and your crazy party schedule, stop. Take a breath. And Ask yourself:

1. What is it that makes this season sacred to me?
2. What is it that sets this time of the year apart from the rest?
3. How can I enjoy the sacred moments?
4. What memories of the "holiness" of Christmas do I have in my head, and how can I recapture them?
5. Is this thing that has me stressed REALLY that important?

It's the simple things that are the most important.

Making Christmas Meaningful

Make Christmas Meaningful: Thoughts on Turning Your Holiday Focus Outward
What if Christmas was more than presents, trees, and Santa?
View more »

A Long December

The Simple Dollar Blog posted this GREAT article called "A Long December"

Right now, many of us are looking forward to December - and to the holiday season - with some joy and some trepidation.

Can we afford to travel this year?

Can we afford to put a lot of Christmas presents under the tree - or should we?

Shouldn’t we scale back this year - big time?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. I’m asking myself these same questions, as are millions of others out there

Read more at the Simple Dollar blog

Beating the "Blue Christmas" Syndrome

Don't let the Christmas Blues get you down.

Here's seven ways to keep your holiday simple, and make those blues "red and green"

1. Make a list, check it twice - Instead of the mad dash to the mega-mart, throwing items in your cart left and right, make up a shopping list, and do your best to stick to it. In fact, why not get your WHOLE holiday organized with Flylady? Download and print off her Holiday Control Journal here. Zoe does this every year. You wouldn't believe how much simpler it makes the holidays!

2. Remember the reason for the season - Why do we celebrate Christmas? Birthdays were not even celebrated at the time Jesus was born! Why did this holiday originate? The reason Christmas resonates with us is that it's about giving, and sacrificial love - (God loved the world so much, He gave His only Son...) Remember that Christmas is not about fancy presents and credit card bills. It's about giving love...

3. Count your blessings - The holidays are a natural time to reflect and be grateful. Make a list of all of the things you have to be thankful for.

4. Relax - Don't stress. Sit on the bench at the megamart, take a break, make funny faces at the little kids when they walk by. Enjoy some time in the dark with your sweetie with only the Christmas tree lights.

5. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid! - Have a family meeting. Work with the whole family to set a reasonable family budget for Christmas. Make sure that budget fits your budget! Don't go into debt going crazy at Christmas. Instead, determine how much (or little) you are willing to spend on your family, and decide to stick with it. Don't spend 600 dollars on plastic toys that will break and end up at the bottom of the closet before next year. Buy timeless, meaningful gifts that your family will enjoy.

6. Grieve - Sometimes the holidays are hard for those who are missing loved ones. It's okay to cry, to hurt, and to grieve during the holidays. Don't feel bad about it. Find someone to talk to about it - a counselor, a pastor, a friend, a spouse. Write down some of your favorite holiday memories of your lost loved one. Don't feel bad about feeling bad. It's normal, and expressing those feelings will help you through the process.

7. Give Back - Find a local charity that you want to support, like your local Salvation Army. Volunteer to serve as a family at the local soup kitchen. Buy a goat for a family in Africa. ( Find out more at Samaritan's Purse. )