Come join me in entering into the holidays without the teeter and totter in our emotions. Here’s how:

• Set more-sane house goals. Better to plan less and accomplish more than to fall short of your ideal and start your holidays feeling disappointed.
• Shop early, and buy a couple of generic emergency gifts. (unlike some kitschy socks, a box of fine chocolates holds general appeal).
• Settle on a reasonable budget before going into the stores to prevent falling victim to strong sales tactics (which include Christmas mood music that plays on our nostalgia, sale-sign seduction, and plastic explosives in the form of credit cards.
• Sow the seeds of goodwill, but don’t expect every “Scrooge” in your Christmas circle to embrace your efforts…. Or you, for that matter. Don’t snowball your own emotions by expecting love from people who can’t give it.  (History in a relationship is usually a good benchmark of his or her ability.)
• Seek some silence. Balance your busyness with moments of meditation.  Don’t allow all the flashing lights on the outside to distract you from the inner light of His presence.  Even a short silence each day will give a greater semblance of order to your emotions and schedule.  So, in case you’re still feeling a little overwhelmed, here’s some suggestions to celebrate simply:

Make a snow angel, drink eggnog, write a forgotten friend, decorate a snowman, go caroling, bake cookies, share tea with a friend, hug a child, hug an oldster, read the Christmas story out loud and, lastly, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Til next time, nice chatting with you…………………..Jan Strojny