ARTICLE OF THE WEEK:
It�s the Most Wonderful
Time of the Year�
By Sue
Dickinson,
www.UnlimitedMom.com
It�s time to be attacked the media with the message that if we only do
__________, or only buy __________, it will be a picture perfect
holiday. It seems to be the mission of everyone to create �special
moments� that will finally make this the most wonderful time�
I�ll
never forget the year I figured out how to create a picture perfect
holiday. I planned a traditional meal of Roast Beef and Yorkshire
pudding for Christmas dinner. Friends and family mingled around our
house, enjoying cocktails and appetizers before the meal. As I surveyed
our guests enjoying, Christmas music in the background, decorations
shining brightly, I almost cried. The scene was �picture perfect.�
Then,
the Yorkshire pudding caught on fire. The fire alarm drowned out the
Christmas music, and rather than mingling amidst the beautiful
decorations our guests were evacuating to the backyard.
I almost
cried. What happened to my �picture perfect� holiday?
As we
aired the place out with fans, our guests enjoyed more cocktails in the
backyard. Then, we finally sat down to our traditional meal of Roast
Beef and Minute Rice. I glanced around the table, pulled my sweater
closer (after all, the door was still open to let the smoke out, so it
was a little chilly), and couldn�t help but reflect on how great the day
really turned out.
I almost
cried (what can I say, I cry a lot). Our friends and family were
laughing and enjoying themselves despite the drama (maybe it was the
extra cocktails?). One couple even tried the charred Yorkshire pudding.
Okay, so the scene wasn�t perfect and probably wouldn�t make the next
cover of Courier and Ives, but it was ours - and we made the best of it.
The
month between Thanksgiving and New Years can be the most
wonderful time of the year. How? The trick, I�ve found, is to step back
from the media�s interpretation of a �picture perfect� holiday, and to
concentrate on making the moment ours. Here are just a few suggestions
to start.
First:
traditional holiday baking. There are thousands of magazines this time
of year describing all of the luscious cookies and treats we can bake
for the upcoming festivities. I admit drooling over the delicacies on
the covers as I stand in line at the store. I have even been guilty of
buying the magazines, only to spend half of the day I�ve designated for
cookie baking tearing the house apart trying to remember where I put
them. Then, I discover you actually have to buy the ingredients, too.
YIKES!
For
those of you out there who are wonderful bakers and find a �picture
perfect� moment spending the day in your kitchen measuring flour and
melting chocolate pieces, I think that�s great and I hope that you pass
your extras my way. For the rest of you, don�t fret. You, too, can make
a moment.
The
first step is to get in the right mood. Turn on the Christmas tunes and
light a few cinnamon scented candles. Next, set out a beautifully
decorated Christmas plate. Lastly, check to make sure no one is looking,
and pull out the cookies you bought the night before from the grocery
store bakery. Arrange on the plate and Oila! Enjoy your moment.
Second:
Christmas Caroling. It�s lots of fun, but so hard to arrange the party.
My solution - carol in you car! Again, the first step is crucial. Find a
cassette tape or CD by a performer in your vocal range. I prefer Anne
Murray, as she is a mellow tenor/alto, like me (except, she sings in
tune�).
Second,
make sure your windows are rolled up, even in warmer climates. The
drivers around you will appreciate this thoughtful gesture.
Third,
sing along, and don�t be shy. The louder you sing, the more effect your
caroling will have. This �special moment� is even better if your kids
are in the car to enjoy it with you. Although, the older they are the
more chance they will think you are nuts. Too bad. They are probably
right.
So you
see, those picture perfect events that you see on commercials and in
magazines are nice, but nothing compared to the moments you can create.
Let�s keep our eyes on the target � to enjoy this most wonderful time of
the year � and stop stressing over what we can�t achieve. Instead, let�s
do what we can, and have a great time doing it. The result will be a
wonderful � memorable � okay- probably � not � perfect � but � good �
enough � moment. And the best news � it will be all yours!
Copyright 2004
About the Author:
Sue Dickinson is a mom, a business woman, and the founder of
UnlimitedMom.com, a web site and e-newsletter designed to celebrate the
many facets of Mom - her family, her work, and her personal development.
Sue is also the author of the recently released book: "What's a Mom to
Do? Overcoming the Urge to Put Your Life on Hold", which can be
purchased at
www.Unlimited Mom.com or at
Amazon.com
If you have an article you would like to share please submit it to
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