As the saying goes; it’s the most wonderful time of the year. We have entered the holiday season, which means it’s time to bake our favorite treats, adorn our homes in festive decorations, and of course; shop for gifts to give to the important people in our lives. However, as important as all these things seem to be, we can often lose ourselves in the consumerism of the holidays and forget the real meaning of what makes this time of year so special.
The holidays are about being with the ones you love and giving thanks to those you care about. It’s the coming together of family and friends, and serves as a reminder of the love that surrounds us. However, it’s surprising how easy it is to forget all of that when we’re stressed out over the need to mass produce baked good and the obligation to purchase gifts for everyone we know, which kills our bank accounts in the process.
This time of year just wouldn’t be the same without the food. From pumpkin pies to roasted turkeys, we go to extremes to make sure that our holiday menu is perfect. The same goes for gift giving. The idea of “it’s the thought that counts” seems to haunt us, as we don’t want to forget anyone and do whatever we can to ensure that we have a little something for all the people in our lives. More often than not, a load of unwanted stress comes with these holiday policies, which turns them into painful chores rather than fun, festive tactics.
A great way to keep from wanting to pull your hair out this holiday season is to stay organized and plan ahead. It may seem like you have all the time in the world to purchase gifts or bake goods, but the days will definitely go by fast and the worst thing possible would be trying to put everything together last minute.
If you keep yourself organized and plan ahead, you’ll probably not get lost in the consumerism of the holidays and will be able to keep the real meaning close to heart. We’re often so distracted by the glamorization of the holidays that we’re too busy to remember the true meaning; our family, friends, and overall love. Remember that the presents and food only enhance holidays. The real meanings cannot be purchased or baked, but felt with the heart. Don’t let the little things preoccupy you this holiday season and remember to count your blessings for all the wonderful things you have in your life.
Words By: Gina Stornetta
Image By: Bobby Ray
