1) Don’t sleep and go crazy from sleep deprivation
2) Cut back on sleep, thereby resulting in greatly increased crankiness and diminished holiday enjoyment
3) Try to get it all done but don’t. Feel frustrated and guilty.
4) Do only the holiday things I enjoy and that are important to me, skip or short-cut all the rest, and damn the consequences.
Not liking options one through three, I sanely selected number four. No sooner had I made my choice for happiness over obligation than the universe conspired to help me at every turn. In fact, it conspired so well in my favor that this has been one of the most enjoyable holiday seasons I can remember. Even with limited time I have had enough space to do what I love and enjoy, and then some. And that, more than altruistic intentions or principles, is the main reason I’ll stick with this approach for years to come and am inspired to share it with you.
So here’s what got kicked to the curb, what didn’t, and some tips for how you can do the same:
1. Gift Shopping
I love playing Santa with my own child and giving presents to the other children in my life. Since I’m not very crafty, this necessitates shopping.
Online ordering from Amazon and other established Internet retailers made this season’s shopping easy if not effortless. Better yet, this year due to the economic downturn retailers aggressively coupon and discounted merchandise pre-holiday, so while I did make one four-hour jaunt to the local mall (and paid the price with a killer migraine by the end of it), the 50 percent off coupons, free $10 gift cards, and other assorted perks made it worth the trip. The take-away: plan ahead and get it all done in as few visits as possible.
Here’s another idea: A few years back my siblings and I—all grown, married adults—decided to do away with our annual “Secret Santa” gift exchange. After all, how many more electronic gadgets, designer handbags, and home décor items did we need? Instead, every Christmas we contribute a minimum of $100 per couple toward a charity of choice. We take turns selecting the worthy cause of the year.
