“ Out of clutter , find simplicity , from discord , find harmony , in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity .”
Online shopping should be done from the last week in November ( many major online shopping destinations have sales to counter Black Friday shopping ) to the second week in December to ensure that you ’ ll get the gifts in plenty of time . Also , with places like Groupon around , it ’ s just as easy to give people experiences ( skydiving and hot air balloon rides , for example ) or much-appreciated services ( massages , spa days ) as it is a physical thing in a box . And a Groupon can be purchased at the last minute . If you are going to brave shopping in stores , doing so at times that are less busy ( such as weekday afternoons ) can not only speed the transactions , they will ease the burden of associated stresses ( traffic , not being able to find parking , crowded stores , etc .) It ’ s also a great time to make a concerted effort to support the small local businesses in your area ! Many of them rely on the holiday shopping season to buoy them financially , so patronizing them helps your community as well !
Physical and Emotional Demands We tend not to take very good care of ourselves during the holidays . We indulge gluttonous instincts , we get out of routines of exercise and proper rest , feelings bubble to the surface , we tend to be overwhelmed by family and expectations , and we are constantly on the move . While students and people who work tend to have time off , that time off can often feel like a bigger demand than school and work itself if we ’ re not careful . The holidays are about eating , indulging and enjoying of course , but adding some healthy foods to your feasts , or snacking on the occasional fruits and vegetables during the season can help your body deal with the flood of fats and sugars . Even 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise can help clear your mind , offset stresses , and allow you to turn off your mind for a bit and focus on the physical . Focusing on a positive attitude and creating positive memories instead of expressing the negative can be contagious and create a great dynamic for your whole family . Remembering loved ones who are no longer with you and what they contributed to the holidays can lead to lovely homages and tributes . For example , while it is true that nobody else could lead the grace like Great Grandfather , letting someone else pick up the baton and lead grace after talking about Great Grandfather can create a tradition that will lay the foundation to great memories .
Albert Einstein brilliantly stated ,
“ Out of clutter , find simplicity , from discord , find harmony , in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity .”
With planning , communication , and setting the example for the people around you , the chaos of the holidays can instead be the stuff that memories and dreams are made of !
DECEMBER 2016 | WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE | 37