Planning for a party can be fun but it can also cause a lot of stress. Guest lists, invitations, venues, decorations, drink, entertainment…. the lists never end. If you are a detail person, every decision is a struggle. You are so busy and tired by the time the celebration begins that you hardly relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor…. if this sounds like you, we have a lot in common.
I recently celebrated my 50th birthday with a lovely party. My sweet husband and many of my friends handled the details. I was really touched by their thoughtful decorations and creative use of old family photos. Of course I helped with the venue and the menu…I had to do something. That evening, right before I stepped into the room I did something I rarely take the time to do…. I took a deep breath and I relaxed.
November and December are two months out of the year that fly by for most of us. In just six weeks we have to plan for the biggest birthday party of the year, the birth of Jesus Christ.
Some people say let’s let go of all the shopping, planning, decorating and gifts, but not me…. why miss celebrating the most important birth of all? I say you should take the time to create lovely Christmas cards and send them to all your friends, buy or make personal presents for those most special in your life and for goodness sakes decorate! Even if you just throw some tinsel on your houseplants!
This is a party of all parties! Don’t let the details get you down…. you can work right up to December 23rd and then stop whatever you are doing… close your eyes, say a little prayer of thanks and take a deep breath. Enjoy the celebration. After all you have the long winter months of January and February to catch your breath!
Merry, merry Christmas to you and to your family.
Christmas, my child, is love in
action. Every time we love, every
time we give, it’s Christmas.
Dale Evans Roger
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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