YOU BETTER WATCH OUT,
YOU BETTER NOT CRY,
YOU BETTER NOT POUT,
I’M TELLING YOU WHY…
You, too, can enjoy the holidays!!!
I know what you’re thinking – “But I have the planning and the shopping and the wrapping and the juggling and the negotiating and the cooking and the decorating and the photos and the cards and the religious services and the family…”
* I get it. Just bear with me for a minute. *
Every year, many moms approach the holidays with a cheerful dread – happy to see their children and families experience the wonder of the season, but bracing themselves for the what it will take to provide said joy.
What if we flipped the switch this year, and, inspired by the women in the recent Bad Moms movie – take back the holidays?!
Here are a few ideas for slowing down, taking a breath, and finding a little of that magic for ourselves:
Stretch it out. When you feel the tension rising, and the pot is boiling over, stop, drop and do a few yoga poses. Animal poses are recommended for stress relief – cat, cow, puppy, camel, and fish. Or, you can just play opossum …
Put the phone down. Stop looking at everyone’s perfect holidays on Facebook. Let’s be honest, behind that exquisite table setting is at least one child coming down with the stomach bug and an uncle getting drunk in front of the TV.
Hand the camera to someone else. One hundred years from now, your great-great-great-grandchildren will hear the legend of your existence but will have no proof because you were always behind the lens.
Hide the good stuff. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Lindor’s Truffles? Woodbridge Cabernet? Go treat yourself in bulk at Costco and stash it somewhere no one else will find it. The weirder the place, the better. This way, you can have a quick nip, all alone, whenever the need arises.
Order out. This is a big one. Maybe the biggest one. Whether you are hosting everyone or coming as a guest, don’t kill yourself trying to outdo Julia Child. Someone once put it perfectly, “Are you trying to bless, or impress?” Who cares where the food came from, as long as it is served with love? (And yes, you can hide the evidence if you don’t want to out yourself – baby steps).
Shop online. Amazon Prime is worth its weight in gold. Your children can create wish lists for the relatives, and you can roll through your purchases without having to brave the crowds or wear a bra.
Girl’s Night Out. Get yourself out of the house, at least for one evening. Earlier I referenced Bad Moms Christmas, which I just saw with some neighbors. It is not for children, partners, or the Pope, but it was spot-on hilarious and gave us all a proper pre-holiday catharsis, no matter what we celebrate.
Soak it all in. Finally, be intentional with your time. Take a beat every so often to “bookmark” memories. It might be watching your children light a candle, or sing a favorite carol. Or, it might just be a nice snuggle by the fire. Whatever those moments are in your house, make a mental note of them, or take it a step further and write them down to share next year.
