Celebrate less for the holidays

Before I’m accused of Grinchiness, hear me out.

The period between thanks giving and Christmas is characterized by many things: lots of yummy treats, lots of shopping and celebrating (when COVID has allowed), cheesy holiday movies, sweaters that light up, and relatives we only see a few times a year. It’s also characterized by stress, busyness, and even feelings of dread and disappointment when our reality doesn’t fit the images of the perfect holiday portrayed in the media. I fall prey to this every year, even though I think I know better and try to limit my exposure to advertising and Hallmark movies.

I’ve noticed that when I focus on experiences and moments and not things, my holiday seasons are more meaningful. I also don’t end up lugging an over-stuffed trash can to the curb. The past few years I’ve allowed my December to be what it is: dark and cold. But by embracing the season, I’ve tried to enter into a spirit of waiting, expectation, and quietness in this season so that the moments of celebration seem more special.

I’m spending more time in nature. Bundling up and taking a walk in the woods in December can be a meditative experience. The leaves are down and underfoot. The air feels cold, but the exercise is invigorating. Without the foliage, it’s easy to see the lay of the land and notice things I would normally miss. It’s fun to spot the birds overwintering with us: jays, cardinals, juncos, and chickadees. The thermos of coffee tastes really good afterwards. Getting in tune with natural processes has all sorts of health benefits—fresh air, exercise, unhooking from the merry-go-round of shopping and decorating.

I’m bringing nature inside by purchasing a real tree in mid-december. I don’t do much decorating (I’m lazy and my house is small), but using natural elements remind me of the fact that this celebration is ancient. Evergreens are a symbol of eternal life. Somehow using actual branches puts me in touch with generations of Christians who have come before me and done the same thing. I wait till mid-december for a practical reason: real trees are a fire hazard if they get too dried out, so it’s important to keep them watered and away from heat sources. Buying from a nearby tree farm also helps me contribute to a local industry, and when you go later in the month, the selection is still good, but the crowds are gone.

I’m using light creatively. Light is another symbol of the holiday season. It’s one of the delights during a month that’s cold and dark. The coming of the Winter Solstice—when days again get longer and nights shorter—was a real relief to our ancient forebears. I try to use soy or beewax candles in the house to prevent indoor air pollution from candles made from petroleum. I also use LED lights for added illumination on the tree and mantle. I try to spend time every day sitting quietly in the presence of candles and sometimes a fire in the fireplace.

I’m making and eating seasonal food. The last few years I have been in graduate school, which wrecked my cooking habits. I’m getting back into cooking, though, by making healthy warm foods that suit the season. Employing my slow cooker helps a lot—i can throw the ingredients in before work and they are ready to go when I get home. Good leftovers, too! Eating seasonal food--winter greens, squash, apples, to name a few—is both less expensive and satisfying. It also puts me in tune with the turning of the year and family traditions I can pass on to my kids.

Holidays are allowed to be excessive—celebrations should be! But by making time for simple observations and experiences, the times I allow a little excess are more fun. I’m looking forward to catching up with my (now grown) kids, baking cookies, watching the usual movies, and visiting local stores for presents. But I’m going to make sure that I get a healthy dose of nature, light, and good food to keep me sustained during this busy time.

I’m going to lighten up my holidays.