The Holidays

Yesterday I was cruising through the store looking for snacks before class and I noticed something. I noticed displays loaded with nuts and ready-made pie crusts and baking essentials. Everything is prepped and ready for the approaching holiday season. This scene brought about that warm familiar feeling. And I thought ahhh…the holidays! Yummy food, warm sweaters, family gatherings, wrapping of presents. The good stuff in life! I was also suddenly realizing that’s it’s already November…that in a few weeks Christmas lights will begin being put up, that we’ll be going to cut down a Christmas Tree at the tree farm soon. There are great things in store and they’ll be happening sooner than we think. This also started my brain running through the list of get-togethers and dates and baked goods and Christmas lists. And I was tired. While I love the holidays and all the busyness and festivities, I also always find myself exhausted and glad they are over! So at that moment at the grocery store then and there, I resolved to make sure I made a list of what I wanted to do for sure, what I am ok if we don’t do, and some things I can do ahead of time to make it all go smoothly! I know b/c I’ll be wrapping up my final term of school it’s going to be busier than normal. But it is Owen’s first holiday season and I don’t want to forgo my whimsical love of goofy traditions and holiday cheer b/c I’m busy with school.  In other words, I don't want to be this guy...although I think that sometimes he has the right idea!

Anyway…another offering from the Happiness Project was recently posted and I thought it appropriate to include. You can check it out here. It got me thinking about traditions. What’s your favorite holiday tradition?? How do you keep the holidays from getting overwhelming?? Any techniques you want to share?