I had the house all ready. The kids were about to arrive. Fresh cookies were on a Christmas platter on the counter by the deliciously scented candle. The kitchen was twinkling from the red and green lights shining in from the deck. It was a magical moment for me.
The anticipation and preparation had been as enjoyable as the time we were about to spend together. How can that be? Isn’t the preparation time running frantically, scrambling to get it all ready, stressed because we waited too long to order gifts, complaining of the traffic, and feeling guilty because we didn’t get this or that done… yet.
The anticipation and preparation can be as enjoyable, even magical, IF… you are intentional.
Before you begin, set your intention.
What do you want to feel going into this holiday season? Love? Connection? Peaceful? Grateful?
Once you decide how you want to feel, choose a thought or two to create that emotion that you will use to renew your mind daily.
Here are some of my favorite examples:
- If I want to feel LOVE, I think the thought, “Love is always the best choice. Love is my favorite!”
- If I want to feel PEACE, I choose the thought, “Everything will go exactly as it’s meant to go.” Also, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
- If I want to feel PRESENT, I think, “I am present in THIS moment.” And bring myself to notice this moment’s sounds, surroundings, people, etc.
- If I want to feel the Holy Spirit, I remind myself of the promise, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19
As I see stress-evoking or negative thoughts emerge in my mind as I go day by day, I name them, take them captive and bathe my mind in my intentional thought(s).
Add these thoughts to your bathroom mirror, screen saver or kitchen cabinet.
Now that you have your intention set, use the organizing steps to create a plan for the holidays.
Organizing Step #1: SORT
Take a few minutes to empty your brain of all the things. Think of it like decluttering a room. Turn on the light switch and see the swirling thoughts, worries, to-dos, and ideas. Get them all out on paper.
I like to sort, as I empty my mind, into categories such as errands, food, computer, home, calls, thoughts, activities/traditions, ideas, etc. Or, start by just writing everything down and sort it into categories later.
Is anything else in there? Anything around meal planning, gift ideas, activities, traditions, or decorating? Get everything out of the room (your brain). Sweep it out and wipe it clean with a few deep breaths.
Organizing Step #2: PURGE
Now that you’ve emptied out your mind, it’s time to purge.
Remember you do not HAVE to do anything that you have written. Really! If you want to you can CHOOSE to but never tell yourself you have to. It’s just NOT useful.
In the moment, I may not feel like making the sugar cookies but ultimately I want to and choose to because I want to create the memory of sitting around the table as a family and decorating cookies. I’m very careful not to say I “should,” I “have to” or I “need to” do something. Instead I “choose to” and ultimately “want to.”
Go through and evaluate each item. Do you choose to do this? Could you delegate it? Delete it? What is the value it adds to your life, others’ lives and to the purpose of the season?
Also, take a moment to evaluate each thought you wrote down. Is it useful for you this season? Could you delete the thought or reframe it in a way that is honoring to the Lord and that creates a more useful emotion in your life?
Organizing Step #3: ASSIGN HOMES
Now you have only the things you CHOOSE to do and the thoughts you choose to think on your list. It’s time to assign each to a home on your calendar.
Group and batch like things together. For example, can you plan to do all the errands on the way home from work? Can you schedule phone calls while waiting in the carpool line? What about planning computer tasks one afternoon while dinner cooks, etc?
Think of your calendar as your dear friend. She’s there to help you create the holiday experience you desire. Follow her as you travel through each day.
Also, remember to be kind to the future-you that has to carry out the plans to completion. Trying to squeeze more things in is not going to help you get more done or enjoy the moments of preparation. If you don’t have enough time on your calendar, delete or delegate some of the tasks.
My Favorite Holiday Idea
I used to draw big summer calendars on butcher paper when my kids were little. I’d ask them to share the one thing they for sure wanted to do and then I’d put those four things (four kids) on the calendar first. I do the same for the holiday time now.
I text each family member asking them to share one thing they want me to plan and one meal they want me to cook. I get those on the calendar first. These usually include Christmas eve service, our annual cookie decorating, a movie together, Pad Thai, game time, driving to Crown Center and the Plaza, etc.
These activities together create memories that last forever. Planning and thinking about them is part of the enjoyment.
Preparing the Home
Clean
The thing I love to splurge on before the holidays is a house cleaner. I get all the rooms picked up, fresh sheets on the beds, and a slight touch of holiday cheer added before the cleaners arrive. It feels so good knowing each bathroom is clean and each room is set for company…with vacuum marks and all!
If you don’t choose to spend the money on hiring cleaners, you can do this room by room yourself. Be sure to add these tasks on your calendar…because you WANT to.
Decorate
I admire it when people ask for help. I do not enjoy decorating so a few years ago I enlisted the help of a friend. I gave her a budget to update my 20-year-old holiday decor and then paid her to come decorate the main floor of my home. Best money I EVER spent!
I watched in amazement as she put all the items up…making it look so easy! After watching her that year, I now put the decorations up myself.
Meal Planning
Although I still plan the meals and buy the ingredients, I’ve been having each of the kids choose a recipe to make for Christmas breakfast or dinner. This has created more memories as we all cook together in the kitchen!
Final Christmas thoughts…
Be very selective.
Keep it simple.
Only choose to do what you WANT to do.
Come back to your intentional thought(s) often.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tracy Hoth
