By Mary Lynne Murray
Reprinted from Contra Costa Times, December 7, 2002
FILLED WITH holiday dread? Wishing, like Scrooge, for the whole
month of December to be over? Worse, are you worn out and sick?
It's time to simplify your holiday plans. Less can be more, so
slow down and give the season's spirit a chance to fill you. Here
are some ideas:
Pare down your card list -- send only to people you rarely see.
Get your kids to help; they can apply return address labels, stamps
and envelope seals. Order stamps online, by mail or during checkout
at the grocery store. Keep your address book on computer. This
makes address changes simple, and lets you print out address labels.
If you want to write a personal message in cards, do a few each
day. Take cards to the coffee shop and write while you sip. Skip
the December mailbox jam, and send New Year cards or letters after
the holidays when there are fewer distractions for you and your
recipients. But avoid e-mailed holiday greetings unless your mailing
list is international.
A poll by Newdream.org shows that 77 percent of Americans want
a simpler holiday season. Try to spend time with family and friends
-- not out shopping for and delivering their gifts. Or give them
the gift of time, such as gift certificates for baby-sitting,
cooking, organizing, housecleaning or -- one of my own -- washing
Dad's car inside and out.
Instead of baking 12 recipes, make larger quantities of just a
few favorites. Or use store-bought treats. Or skip it altogether.
Holiday baking is a nice gesture but not required.
Those decorated rooms you see on television or in magazines are
made by teams of people and sleighfuls of money. Resist trying
to reproduce them. Do what you can and enjoy it. Remember what
Salvador Dali said: "Have no fear of perfection -- you'll
never reach it."
Like Santa, make a list, check it twice and stick to it. Avoid
shopping at peak times, typically weekends and mid-day. The crowds
are far lighter on early weekday mornings and at night. Shop by
catalog or online when possible. Rethink habits, too, especially
for extended families. Consider drawing names, giving family-style
gifts, buying only for small children or donating to a favorite
charity. Or put your money toward a family trip. If those on your
list have plenty, give edible gifts or restaurant or movie gift
certificates.
I love poinsettias, but they always die. Bulbs such as amaryllis,
however, can be used again next year. Regarding trees, consider
a small live tree to plant after the holidays (or donate it for
planting in a park). Try a lifelike artificial tree; it's easier
to put up, tidier and a one-time expense. For fragrance, use fresh
evergreen wreaths or boughs.
Set up a gift-wrap area with all supplies: paper or gift
bags, scissors, tape, gift tags, pens, ribbon or bows, and tissue
paper. Use gift bags whenever possible; they save time and can
be reused. Or use only white paper you jazz up with holiday ribbons
and tags. (A bonus is that leftover paper can be used any time
of the year.) If children like to wrap gifts, hand over the job.
As often as possible, use store gift-wrap services.
Smell
the evergreen. Sit by the fire. Stare at the tree and remember
the family history its ornaments tell. Do as my friends, Mark
and Maria, and pick a night to star-gaze this month. Building
quiet, reflective time into your day will help you pace yourself.
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