{"id":27677,"date":"2023-12-21T14:43:33","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T19:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/briwebapp.net\/cfgxfm\/?p=27677"},"modified":"2023-12-21T14:52:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T19:52:51","slug":"merry-christmas-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/briwebapp.net\/cfgxfm\/blogs\/afternoons\/2023\/12\/merry-christmas-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Merry Christmas To You"},"content":{"rendered":"

Because I’m not sure I’ll get to say it before the busyness of the holidays really sets in – Merry Christmas to you and yours.\u00a0 I sincerely hope that you find time this holiday season to find a bit of joy, peace and happiness.\u00a0 With life and all it’s challenges, sometimes it gets hard to focus on the small things.\u00a0 I hope you find time for what matters this holiday season.<\/p>\n

I know for me, I have managed to spread out shopping and gift buying over the past few months.\u00a0 We don’t entertain or go anywhere for the holidays – we stay home and that’s okay by me.\u00a0 I like the quiet and staying in pj’s most of the day on Christmas day.\u00a0 It’s comforting.\u00a0 But I have managed to spread out all that we want for our holiday feast over the last few months as well to make it a little easier on the pocketbook.\u00a0 (smile).\u00a0 \u00a0The gift buying has been more thoughtful I think.\u00a0 More intentional and purposeful.\u00a0 I still think we spend too much, but it’s sure hard not to.<\/p>\n

I know this time of year has it’s magic.\u00a0 Beautiful decorations, happy Christmas carols, get togethers, parties, and dinners.\u00a0 I also know the heartbreak that comes with it.<\/p>\n

The feeling of overwhelm.\u00a0 Grief.\u00a0 Sadness.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s a tough holiday to navigate when you’re feeling any of those things, and if you are in that place I send a big hug your way and words of encouragement to help you through.<\/p>\n

I think it’s hard to fight against what the world tells us Christmas SHOULD be.\u00a0 The perfect picture, with the perfect tree, and the perfect family, and presents and food etc etc.<\/p>\n

Find what works for you and do that.\u00a0 Make the holiday your own.\u00a0 Start your own traditions.\u00a0 Do it big or do nothing at all.<\/p>\n

I will be doing a bit of baking this weekend.\u00a0 Not a lot because it costs more this year, white chocolate chips are hard to find, and I’m pretty sure I will eat most of what I bake as I’m baking it and that’s just not what I want for my waistline going into 2024. (smile).<\/p>\n

I will be going to church on Christmas Eve.\u00a0 We’ll drive around and look at lights and hope for a few flakes of snow to make it look pretty and magical.<\/p>\n

My oldest daughter will be working Christmas day this year, so we will wake up early, open stockings (fingers crossed we’ve been good this year and Santa makes it to our house!!!) and then presents when she gets home in the late afternoon.\u00a0 That will be different for sure.<\/p>\n

This year has been a bit more challenging for some reason, to find the spirit of the holidays.\u00a0 No matter how many cheesy Hallmark movies I watch, I’m still struggling to find it this year.\u00a0 I think a lot of people are feeling that way.\u00a0 Life is just hard sometimes.\u00a0 Expensive.<\/p>\n

So I hope that with all that is going on around you, you find time for you this Christmas.\u00a0 Do a few things just for you.\u00a0 Escape with a good book.\u00a0 The library is still free (smile).\u00a0 Light a candle.\u00a0 Enjoy a hot chocolate.\u00a0 Walk through the lights.\u00a0 Write a letter to a friend.\u00a0 Catch up with someone you haven’t talked to in a long time.\u00a0 Reach out to those who might be struggling right now.\u00a0 Don’t wait for them to reach out to you.\u00a0 Your message might be just what they need.\u00a0 Watch a cheesy movie.\u00a0 Bake some cookies.\u00a0 Eat the dough.\u00a0 Eat the cookies. (smile).\u00a0 \u00a0Dance in the living room when nobody’s watching and just let go of the worries and frustrations.\u00a0 (OK that might have been how I started my morning, but it worked for me and might help YOU too!)<\/p>\n

Don’t let the world tell you how to make the holidays special.\u00a0 Make your own magic.\u00a0 Make your own holiday magic.<\/p>\n

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season.\u00a0 I’m always excited about a new year – a new start, with new goals and dreams and plans.<\/p>\n

Thank you for sharing your afternoons with me and for all the emails and texts you have sent through 2023.\u00a0 I hope in 2024 we get our Facebook and Instagram back so we can get back to connecting even more.<\/p>\n

As always – feel free to reach out and let me know what your plans are for the holidays!\u00a0 What are you doing to make it special?\u00a0 What is something you are doing for you?<\/p>\n

Merry Christmas!\u00a0 and Happy New Year!<\/p>\n

Carrie<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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