While attending a local networking group last week, the leader chose to take 15 minutes to ask women how they were simplifying the holiday season. I sat there in awe of how someone can choose not to decorate at all. I also was amazed by a couple women who were leaving town for several days at Christmas so they didn’t have to be involved with all the gift giving and craziness that goes with it. They were the extreme examples to which I couldn’t quite relate. I enjoy celebrating the birthday of Jesus. I can’t imagine skipping it.
Then there were the examples that had to do with shopping. One gal announced that her shopping was done without stepping foot in a mall. She did all her shopping online. Since I work online, I could relate to the ease with which that could be done. Another boomer announced that she did all her shopping without going to one single chain store. I loved that because I believe in supporting small businesses. However, it would be hard for me to do because some of the items my children requested can only be purchased from a chain store. Another gal bought all alternative gifts for her loved ones that had to do with caring for those in need. I love that. In fact, our church has an Alternative Gift Market so I was very familiar with that idea.
More examples flowed that had to do with cooking and baking.
“I’m no longer baking because no one eats it. Everybody’s dieting, so why bother?”
“I’m only making one type of cookie and that’s my son’s favorite.”
“We’re buying Christmas dinner prepared. I don’t have time to cook, and I don’t feel like doing it again.”
“We’re going out for Christmas dinner.”
I shared that our Christmas dinner will be cooked by everyone that attends. The youngest in the family is now 19. The rest are 20-somethings, boomers, and one from the greatest generation, so why can’t everyone make one dish that all can enjoy? The younger kids are excited. They’re looking up recipes online, trying to decide what to bring. I think this is going to be great fun. It doesn’t put the “create the perfect Christmas dinner” pressure on one person. Why not get everyone involved? I’ll let you know how it works.
I’m wondering if you are doing anything to simplify Christmas… Want to share?
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Oh Dotsie! Your Christmas sounds like so much fun! I love the idea of everyone bringing a dish! I don’t love it so much for me, because holidays are like projects. normally I hate cooking, but a holiday meal is a project to do to perfection and I LOVE projects! I finished my Christmas cooking project on Saturday with a Polish Christmas meal for my husband. But I’m all about everyone helping with things like decorating.
This year will be somewhat simple for me for the actual Christmas. I did a lot of what the women in your group suggested: online shopping, local retailers, stayed away from the mall (except when the ice storm knocked out power and we wanted to stay warm), bought livestock for the Dalit in India for several relatives. It certainly was an easier experience all around than past Christmases. But this Christmas will be my first with my family in nearly 20 years, and almost everyone will be there, so I’m sure there won’t be much simple about it. I just won’t have to do much except show up with presents. Yay!
Enjoy your Christmas dinner! It sounds like tremendous fun.
Simplifying Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning for us this year as we spend the first Christmas since we were married away from all of our children and grandchildren. Gulp. Since moving to Texas in August of this year we have simplified more than Christmas. We downsized our home (leasing a sweet cottage until we decide where to buy/build) and many of our things are in storage. There is simply no room for a tree or decorations - and the holiday decorations are buried under stacks of boxes anyway.
But we did bring out one item to place in the living room. One of our treasured Nativity sets. The true meaning of what Christmas is all about. This year, Baby Jesus isn’t being upstaged by a ga-zillion tree lights, or lovely packages and bows, or the fragrant scent of pine and cinnamon.
This year, it’s all about Him. This year we are counting our blessings in a new way. This year we are finding joy and peace even though parts of our hearts are breaking because our children are far away. And my own son is in jail…a fact alone that breaks my heart in another fashion altogether.
There is nothing wrong with anyone making the choice to decorate and bake and celebrate and have a festive season replete with lights, fragrance, and the joy of family. In fact, your holiday sounds like great fun, Dotsie.
Yet for us, this year has been all about simplifying and while I felt a bit “out-of-sorts” at first, I’m finding myself in a place of peace and tranquility that I’ve not experienced in quite some time. No rushing to the stores for shopping, we chose instead to give each of our children a special book of Bible Stories with an accompanying CD - a gift we pray will live long after the holiday season.
All that said - as boomers all over the world are striving to “simplify” I pray that does not mean that we forget about the true meaning of the season. I’m all for removing some of the trappings of consumerism that have invaded this precious season - but not the focus on The One to whom we owe so much.
We’ll be spending Christmas Eve with a favorite aunt and uncle here in Texas, and we’ve been invited to Christmas dinner at the home of a new friend we’ve met here in Texas - so the smell of the season will no doubt be a fond remembrance of holidays past.
Yet for us, this will be a Christmas quite different from any we’ve ever spent.
And for that we are praising God’s name. Thankful for our health, for a roof over our heads, for jobs we love, for friends and family, and for the opportunity to worship the birth of the Saviour who forever changed our lives.
Simple? Yes. Different? Yes. Thankful? Yes. Joyful? Yes.
Great post, Dotsie! Last week, I made the announcement, “The Christmas kitchen is closed this year; we’re going out to a restaurant for dinner!”
Shortly after that groundbreaking announcement, my oldest son, Jeremy, said, “I’ll fix Christmas dinner (he loves to cook), and you won’t have to do a thing—Mom—just come and relax!”
I love being a boomer mom, and I can’t wait to sit and enjoy what my son cooks up! While going through college, he worked at the George Street Cafe where he developed his culinary skills (he’s now a world cultures high school teacher), so no doubt we’ll be having sushi for an appetizer (he pulls all his recipes off the internet). Do I feel guilty? No way, how could I deny my son his greatest pleasure—cooking on his favorite holiday?!:)
One thing I do to try to simplify the whole season is to avoid making things like doctor or dental appointments, etc. during the month of December. That is easier said than done because I have to take my mother-in-law to all of her appointments & she has ended up with 4 since Thanksgiving — 2 of those unplanned. But still I try to do my best not to schedule things that are absolutely not necessary. We even skipped a Christmas party this year, and I just try to be careful not to get involved in everything that presents itself during the holiday season.
I also try to do baking, etc. ahead and put stuff in the freezer so I’m not in the kitchen constantly when the kids are home. I want to be able to spend time just having fun with them when they are here. They arrive this weekend — can’t wait!!
Flea,
It’s great to hear that you will be with your family. Be sure you take lots of photos.
I love projects too. And Christmas is one hige project for me. I begin early, do a little each day, and try to take time to include some peaceful moments too. I can’t live like a “wait til the last minute” person. Extended family get a kick of of my organizational skills, but I don’t know another way to operate.
Allison, I guess one of the points I’m not sure I made, was to leave Christ in Christmas no matter how much you cut back.
I love your idea of only a manger. It’s beautiful.
We have a big, off white, very simple nativity set on our lawn that is adorned in white lights, sitting beneath a tree that is also loaded with white lights. It’s simple, but meaningful. No big Santas or snowmen on our lawn. We figure it’s one way we can include Christ in Christmas.
Connie, I recall us talking ab out our sons who love to cook.
Last year our oldest (only 21 at the time) cooked Christmas dinner for 18. It was over the top. This generation does gourmet cookiing, thanks to all the food network channels.
I actually got the idea for everyone to pitch in from our Thanksgiving feast. Many, but not all of us cooked something. As we were all complimenting one another on the dishes, one who hadn’t made something said, “What is this, a compliment fest?”
I noticed that he was one who wasn’t getting comopliments because he didn’t make anything. That gave me the thought that it would be cool for everyone to be complimented and encouraged about something. He’s 21, and he’s hit the internet to make some fancy shrimp appetizer that he’s never made before. I can’t wait to taste it and encourage him concerning his cooking.
I think it’s great to let these young guys cook.
I know you’ll love eating ANYTHING he makes!
Cheryl, I can so relate to making ourselves available when the kids are home. My daughter got home Firday night, and here I sit working. She’s in the other room and I’m dying to cut loose to do something with her. Are you an empty nester? How many are coming home? I have another one arriving from college Saturday. Can’t wait!
Dotsie..oh my, you DID make that point, and I so apologize if I rambled on and on…:-) I’m afraid I’m in a period of “waxing poetic” these days…way too many thoughts in my poor tired old brain. I love hearing from you and from everyone about kids baking and cooking and all the plans you have. I’m really sorry if I rained on anyone’s parade with my post. (smile) please bear with me as I sludge around in the occasiinally yucky soil of a life in transition. God is good and it will all work out…I am gaining strength and empowrement and inspiration from this group. May God bless us everyone this Christmas!
Allison, never to worry dear friend!
Sometimes during transition we feel like we’re in and out of the valley. Just remember it’s all part of the mountain top experinece. Fear not, for I am with you always!