The annual shopping frenzy seems to intensify with each passing year. It’s very different from the holiday sales of my childhood that kicked off after Christmas. Back then, my mom and my friends' moms would start buying next year's birthday and Christmas gifts in the post-holiday sales of late December and early January.
While we understand the retail push is driven by the need for stores to boost sales—especially during the holiday season, when many businesses earn the bulk of their revenue—it's essential to recognize that this might not always be in our best interest.
This time of year is not just about the stress of spending money; it's a hectic period for all of us. Personally, balancing my speaking engagements, coaching commitments, and holiday preparations, such as travel, Advent concerts, church music planning, and directing a production of Elf the Musical, all adds to the chaos. What’s adding to your chaos?
So, if the pressure to spend money, the season's intensity, and overwhelming busy-ness aren't good for us, what should we focus on? What are the aspects of the season that truly fill our hearts with joy and contribute to our cherished memories?
Instead of succumbing to the chaos, consider keeping the elements that genuinely work for you and letting go of the rest. I can almost hear your agreement, but then the inevitable question arises: How do you actually go about doing that, especially considering everyone else's expectations?
Well, what about them?
What do you genuinely want your family and loved ones to experience this holiday season?
As we’re almost into December, with Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas or Hanukkah, not to mention the New Year, on the horizon, the race is on to get everything together. How about we flip the process around this year? Instead of starting with a list of presents and what to buy, let's begin with a dream. What results do you want from this holiday season? What feelings do you want to experience, and what do you want to impart to others?
Start with your intentions, dreams, and desires. Then, and only then, create a plan to make those dreams a reality.
Before the shopping, baking, wrapping, and entertaining frenzy takes over, pause and become clear and purposeful about the direction you want to go in.
You have the power to create the holiday season you desire. It requires aligning your intentions and actions. What are your dreams, and what would truly be wonderful? Once you've identified that for yourself, ensure that all your actions both reflect and align with it.
Consider creating a theme or "mission statement" for this holiday season. Make a declaration. Perhaps involve your spouse or partner in this process. Here are some ideas:
This year, we will feel closer and more loved.
This year, the holidays will be fun.
This year, the gifts will be meaningful.
Choose one simple declaration and let it guide you. Don't commit to anything that doesn't align with your declaration. Don't spend time, energy, or money in ways that don't enhance and enrich your chosen focus.
Fundamentally, if we want things to be different, we need to change both our intentions (dreams, desires, ideas) AND our actions simultaneously. Consider making this commitment a holiday present to yourself and those you love.