This season, are you spreading holiday cheer and singing loudly for all to hear? Or are you more Green with annoyance at how overly joyful and triumphant all the mall music can be? Maybe, you fall somewhere in the middle on the spectrum. But me? I LOVE the holiday season! Not only am I crazy about Christmas, but I also find enjoyment in the craziness that comes along with it.
Each year I become immensely excited as soon as October hits. Sure, I enjoy Halloween. But, the real reason I get excited for October is simply because we are that much closer to the holiday season. It’s crazy, I know. But, I love it. One of my favorite parts is early planning.
I anxiously await the Toys-R-US, Target, American Girl, and other catalogs to hit my mailbox so I can go through them with my kids. Then, I start my budgeting. Each year, I save what we budgeted the previous year for gifts. This includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, work exchanges, etc. I head to Amazon and start filling up my cart. Crazy . . . I’m aware.
Most of my gift shopping is done by Thanksgiving with maybe a few odds and ends that need to be grabbed here and there. But, that doesn’t stop us from heading out on Black Friday. We don’t do your normal crazy shopping at 3 am. But, we do try to get great deals on holiday decor from Home Depot and Lowe’s. We come home and decorate that day, rain, snow, or shine. My husband is at his wits end and probably one season away from hiring someone to do it for him.
Although my hubby can be a Grinch at times, I choose to embrace the chaos of the season. My glass is half full and brimming with cheer (and maybe something stronger too). I’m well aware that we will be driving all over the place to see family. But, I’m okay with it. There’s something magical in the air and I love seeing my children feel it too.
To some, the holidays can be very stressful. But for me, I find it so exciting and peaceful. I don’t see people arguing over presents. I see people letting someone cut in front of them in the check-out line. I don’t see a cold and bitterness. I see an opportunity to bundle and cuddle. I don’t see stressful road trips in traffic. I see quality quiet time with family.
I guess it’s all about perspective. This season, you can choose to find stress and annoyance in the holidays or you can choose to enjoy them. It’s just a small reflection on how we can choose to live our lives leading into this new year. We can choose to lead a life that always sees the glass half empty. Or, we can choose a glass that is not just half full, but spilling over with endless opportunity.
While I know I can’t change every green Grinch out there, I will still hold onto hope. I will keep singing loudly (and off tune) for all to hear, spreading my love, positive thinking, and holiday cheer.
