Arm yourself with responses like:
“I’m here to enjoy myself. I don’t want
to talk about that right now.” Or, “Let’s
agree to disagree.”
Also, physically exit from the situa-
tion by saying: “I’m going to go refresh
my drink.” Or, “I have to make a call.”
Thou shall simplify.
“The holiday can be manageable
and simple if we allow it to be,” Flynn
says. “What makes the holiday so dif-
ficult is our own thinking about it. We
make it difficult for ourselves.”
Experiment with small changes that
can relieve your stress. Hire a caterer for
your party. Forgo Christmas cards this
year. For the relative who has every-
thing, send flowers or make a donation
in their name to an organization that is
important to them.
Thou shall not compete
with thy neighbors.
As Theodore Roosevelt once
quipped: “Comparison is the thief of
joy.” Some people enjoy casting their
home in a professionally-created holi-
day glow while others prefer to hang a
festive wreath on their door and call it
good. Do what brings you pleasure and
makes sense for your budget.
Thou shall give from thy heart.
Rather than twisting yourself in
knots seeking the perfect present for ev-
eryone on your list, take a more light-
hearted approach to gift-giving. For ex-
ample, give a T-shirt with a meaningful
quote, a digital photo album commemo-
rating a fun getaway, or an experience
like tickets to the zoo or a concert. Vol-
unteering your time is also a fulfilling
way to give.
“If you are intentional, you can
make Christmas about the ideas of love,
caring for one another, understanding,
enjoying quality time together and treat-
ing each other as the precious beings
each of us are,” Flynn says.
Freelance writer, Christa Melnyk Hines
and her husband are the parents of two
sons and a menagerie of pets. Her inten-
tion this holiday is to slow down and fo-
cus more on the magic of the season and
less on lopsided Christmas trees.
TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA DEPARTMENT OF
YOUTH & RECREATIONAL SERVICES
Winter Recreation Celebration
Friday, December 7th
Christmas On Ice
Cheektowaga Ice Rink
7-9pm
Skate Free With Donation of
New Gloves/Mittens
Saturday, December 8th
Breakfast with Santa
Alexander Community Center
9:00am
(Pre-Registration Necessary)
Saturday, December 15th
Join us for a Winter Celebration
Stiglmeier Park
6pm – 8pm
Bring the family for a fun night of
pictures with Santa, decorations,
hayrides and fireworks!
Event hosted by the Cheektowaga
Youth and Recreation Department
Event Sponsored by Assemblymember
Monica Wallace
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
CALL 897-7207
Town of Cheektowaga
Erie County, NY
December 2018 WNY Family 9