Merry Stressful Christmas

I have a few blogs going at the moment, drafts I can’t seem to find time to finish, so I thought I would start a new one…logical, right? But today’s topic, I think, is an important one.

‘Tis the season to be unnecessarily stressed, fa la la la la la la la la.

Okay, so the words don’t exactly flow with the song, but isn’t it the truth? I’m sure there is a medical journal out there stating the overall increase of hypertension in the month of December. But tell me, is it really worth it? As a parent, I am just as guilty as the next person, for wanting my child to have the best Christmas memories. This year I let the Diva Princess help decorate the tree – albeit driving my inner Martha Stewart insane – we decorated a “gingerman” house – she insist it’s not gingerbread – she even helped wrap the presents for her teachers and placed them under the tree. At three-years-old, it’s the first year that she really gets it, and I wanted it to be magical.

But there is a reality that we can’t ignore. Stress.

We stress about money, about getting everything done. We stress about whether the family can manage to get through a meal together without Uncle Bob pissing off dad again. We stress about what to buy and will the receiver like it. We stress about the exact placement of ornaments – wait, I may be alone there. We stress. And stress some more.

But is it worth it?

Here’s the thing folks…we’re missing the point. The point of life. Love.

I remember the year my parents asked us what was the “one” thing we wanted for Christmas, because there would only be one thing that year. My dad’s health was failing, and the medical bills were climbing; it was going to be tight. And, I can only imagine how painful that was as a parent; how stressful it must have been. But the truth is that Christmas was just as special to me as any other. I don’t look back now and think how my life was ruined because I only got one RC car – I really loved that car too. No, I look back at my childhood and feel blessed. Beyond anything I could ever ask for, I was loved and my parents made sure we knew it.

I’m not saying don’t buy your kids presents, but let the stress go. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. I don’t have a clue what my parents bought me when I was three-years-old, but I knew they loved me. I don’t remember if we baked cookies together or decorated gingerbread houses, but I knew they loved me. I don’t remember much outside of pictures, but I knew they loved me. And that’s all that matters. Because I guarantee, if you spend every holiday stressed, your kids will see it, will feel it, and the magic will be lost. So check the stress at the door and enjoy your blessing.

Merry Stressless Christmas to all!