WNY Family Magazine December 2018 | Page 9

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