The Advent season is upon us, which means that we all should be preparing. There are cookies to bake, presents to buy, cards to address, school concerts to attend, trees to trim, and credit card bills to pay. But is this what our Savior had in mind when He asked us to prepare? Should it be filled with domestic chores and regarded as a time when there is more to do and less to celebrate? Now, please don’t misunderstand – I am not advocating that the cookies don’t get baked or that the trees don’t get trimmed. These traditions are part of the big picture. But just a part.
Like you, I have the same to-do list, and it’s overwhelming. What adds to this feeling is the uncertainty of what gifts to purchase for my loved ones–namely, my children. My mailbox has been stuffed daily with catalogs, flyers, and coupons – all loudly inviting me (and you, and everyone else) to their stores for their great deals and abundance of inventory. There is pressure for each Christmas to be bigger and better than the last – and I can’t tell if this pressure comes from the stores, the internet, or me. Whatever the source, the pressure is there. And I really, really don’t like it.
In an effort up, something to eat, and something to create (no catchy rhyme like the first list, sorry). It is not guaranteed that there will be a gift purchased for each category – but this has been a lifesaver in terms of staying organized and not going over-the-top with the gifts. And the pressure to make this Christmas gift-giving bigger? Gone.
In the category of something they want, I try to find that item that they have wanted for longer than the day after Thanksgiving when all the ads start rolling on T.V. This requires a lot of listening and remembering. For something they need, I try to expand beyond socks and underwear, but work to keep it in the necessity category. Since both of my children wear uniforms to school, I am always scrambling to find weekend clothes or holiday best for the times they aren’t in school. This is a great time to pick some of those items out for the third installment of the guideline. Something to read, well, that’s easy! I usually try to find a new author or series to pique their interest. Moving to the ad-on section of my list, I like to include a classic movie or two. The section for dress up can be for imaginative play, or for special occasions, depending on the ages of your children. Unfortunately, due to the ages of my children, we have segued into special occasion attire. I miss those princess dresses and military helmets. For something to eat, I try to make a special treat, unique for each child, or create a coupon for “dinner of your choice” to be redeemed later in the year. Something to create is a tough one for me, but a great one for the kids. I, by nature, am not a crafty-creative type. But children, by nature, are, and mine are no exception. I try to find something they can make, that I can keep, that showcases their current ages/stages.
I have found that since implementing this strategy, I have more time and less stress. And with more time and less stress, I am able to dedicate myself to the true meaning of this season. I spend more time preparing my heart and mind for what really, truly is the most *wonderful* time of the year.
Posted by Mrs. Wilson
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