Managing Expectations

Over the past few years, I have found a mantra that has really helped me when planning for big occasions, "Over prepare, then lower your expectations!".  For me, that has meant that I find one "goal" for the event, and then I stick to that.  For example, this Christmas goal is, "I want to create wonderful memories with my family".  That is it! 

Now, that can seem like a lot, but memories can be created by so many simple moments.  Driving down the road with my girls singing along to the Chipmunk Christmas, cuddling by the fire watching Christmas movies as a family, and making gingerbread houses are all the building blocks to wonderful memories. 

This means that I do my best to not get bogged down in the tiny details that can make for misery, when in reality most of it doesn't even matter.  Hang in there with me...the menu of the Christmas dinner isn't what makes the memories, it is the people around the table that you are spending quality time with.

Don't completely forget the "over prepare" part of the mantra.  For example, when we go as a family to the special drive through lights that the girls love, I make sure we get some yummy take out to eat on the drive and while in line.  As much fun as it is to be in a toasty car as a family listening to Christmas music and seeing beautiful holiday displays, if everyone is starving and ornery, it will dampen the goal of making wonderful memories with my family.  

Try out this mantra, and see if it doesn't help you to get the holiday that you are (realistically) shooting for. 

One piece at a time

When I was 12 years old, I received a Christmas gift from my grandmother that I will never forget.  It was one place setting of Christmas dishes.  I will admit that it wasn't the most exciting gift, and the card was even depressing to me.  My grandma said that she would be giving me one place setting of these dishes every year for Christmas, and that she hoped some day, when she was gone, I would use them at Christmas time and remember her...WHAT?  Somehow the thought of my grandmother's death didn't mix very well with my holiday spirit.  Each year, I was given a new place setting as promised. 

In my adulthood I have loved the dishes more and more, Christmas, after all is my favorite holiday.  I looked forward to pulling them out each year to lovingly place them in my hutch to be admired for the holiday season.

Last year it finally happened, my first Christmas after my grandmother's death.  I started out in my typical fashion, pulling each piece out.  As  I continued, it was as if each piece was a reminder of my grandma and her love.  I was overcome and broke down with sadness, missing my grandma, but more so, amazement at her thoughtfulness to me that will continue every Christmas.  Even now, typing this story, I am tearing up knowing that I will be pulling those precious dishes out in a few days. 

It is rarely the gift that it given, but the thought behind it that remains.  Thanks to my grandmother's creative gift giving, her thoughts behind her gifts will remain throughout the years. 

Perhaps this is the year for you to start giving a special, lasting gift, one piece at a time. 

Keep it together!

"Where do you keep it all?", everyone asks me when they hear how many holiday decorations I have.  I keep it all together.  All the of Halloween decorations, coloring books, and stuffed animals are in the same container under the stairs in the basement.  The instructions to make the darling marshmallow bunnies for Easter, as well as the Bunny Mr. Potato Head are all in the Easter container.

Holidays come with so many things to match the holiday; salt and pepper shakers, magnets, toys, coloring books, and movies.  Keep them all together with their specific holiday in one container (or more depending how much you have for each holiday). 

It is amazing how excited my children get about a puzzle that they have done every Christmas season, but because it has been put away all year, it seems new to them!

All I want for Christmas...

Are the requests starting at your house yet?  "Can I have (fill in the blank) for Christmas?"  Have you been receiving multiple toy catalogs in the paper and mail lately?  Do you feel like every commercial is a ploy to get your kids to ask you to spend more money?

This is the time when the commercialism of the holiday really starts to pick up, and it annoys all of us.  Then the questions start to creep into every parents mind, "Where are we going to put said requested toy?".  As always, I say to you,  none of us NEED what we think we do. 

Just like at Back to School time when doing an inventory helps us to not purchase unnecessary items, the same rule applies to Christmas time.  Go through your childrens' toys/clothes/electronics with them (depending on age).  You will find many things that are no longer played with, broken, or do not fit them.  This is a great time to get rid of items that you do not need cluttering up your house, but may also be good items for donations which are so helpful, especially at this time of year.

Help your children (and yourself) to understand that if there is no more room for the new requests then room needs to be created and/or requests need to be reduced.

I always feel that a holiday has been a successful one when we can easily find places to put all of our new treasures away.  It is not a good feeling to be drowning in "stuff" that was giving to increase the holiday experience. 

I also find that my girls are VERY willing to do a clean up/inventory when they know it is making room for new Christmas gifts.  Hopefully it will be a slightly easier request at your home for the same reason.  Good luck!

Getting back into the swing!

Did you think I fell off the face of the earth?  I felt like I did!  After my surgery (one month ago today!), and set back, I was then re-admitted to the hospital for 4 days, only to be sent home on bed rest and being told I was back to zero with my surgery recovery.  AHH!!!

Well, this is my FAVORITE time of the year, and I NEED it to raise my spirits, so here we go, all together.  Yes, we didn't finish the October focus of Craft Organization, and I am sorry, if you have specific questions that you would like me to answer just send me an e-mail.

Now it is November (can you believe it?), and our focus is Holiday Organization!!!  It is NO secret that Christmas is my all time favorite holiday.  I look forward to it, plan for it, and long for it almost all year long!

Many of you do not feel the same way.  Christmas, for many, is hectic, stressful, and a big let down from the expectations and promises of Christmas Carols.  I think that I have found one of the main reasons that I enjoy Christmas so much more than the stressed out masses.  Sorry to say, it does go back to organization.

Thanksgiving is three weeks from today, which means my tree goes up three weeks from tomorrow.  Weather you are a Christmas fan or not, it is almost upon us, and with a little prep time, I hope that you can all enjoy the holiday season a little more this year.

My most important holiday tip?

Sit down with your family before the holiday season begins (now!). Have everyone list the “traditions” that mean the most to them, there may be multiple for each person.  It is a great reminder to parents about what REALLY matters to your children during the holidays!

Once your list has been finished by you and your family, schedule your holiday around fitting those traditions in first.  This may mean less parties, but it will mean more memories.

To get you started, here is the Christmas season list from my family:

• Train ride with Gramie and Papa for our girls

• Temple Square lights
• Thanksgiving Point drive through lights
• Creating a gingerbread house or tree

• Letter/e-mails to Santa

• Christmas cards with a family picture
• Girls gifts to each other
• Girls gifts to parents

• Visiting Santa

• Christmas movies

• Delivering neighbor gifts/foodbank donations

• Outside lights on the house

• Girls decorating their own trees

• Decorating with my sister the day after Thanksgiving!!

• Christmas Eve Italian Food  and nativity traditions

• Advent Calendar
• Listening to Christmas music in the car (typically starting November 1)

I hope all of you can take the time to make your tradition list, and enjoy the wonderful memories with your family this holiday season!

Start now and enjoy later!!!

It is NO secret that I adore Christmas.  For me it really is the most wonderful time of the year!  I look forward to it, and I plan for it at least half of the year. 

Today I did something to make for a happier holiday season.  Our family had our Christmas card pictures taken.  Yes, it may seem a little crazy to think about Christmas cards in September, but for me, it is a lot better than stressing about it in December.

I know that the holiday season is something that many dread for a number of reasons.  It is a very busy time, and it can bring a lot of stress.  By spreading out some of the financial burdens and the laundry list of tasks it can make for a more enjoyable time for everyone. 

If a family picture for a Christmas card is something that you like to do, or something that you have been "meaning to get around to", schedule it now.  Don't wait until it is too close to the holiday when the photographers are all booked, and the card websites are backlogged. 

Crossing this off your Christmas to do list, can help to make the holiday a little less stressful.  Extra bonus = all of the Fall colors make for a beautiful backdrop, especially with two beautiful red heads!