2017 Home for the Holidays

Page 44 2017 Home for the Holidays LINCOLN DAILY NEWS November 22, 2017 n When you have answered these questions you may be ready “reboot,” turn off the machine that is carrying you into an out-of- control Christmas. The following suggestions are offered to help you rethink and reset your Christmas goals and expectations. Set reasonable expectations consistent with your beliefs about Christmas Commit only to what you believe in. Do only those things that fit your deep values. Being tolerant of diverse approaches to Christmas activities does not mean you have to be involved in those actions. Budget your Christmas Gifts, decorations, travel expenses, meals, and specialty food items all have the ability to lead you to spend money you do not have available. Planning ahead and setting boundaries for spending in each area enables you anticipate a less stressful Post-Christmas season. Guard against depression What? Depression in the “season to be jolly?” Breaking away from discouraging and aimless activities can keep you from the despair of feeling hopeless and discouraged because you didn’t do everything that you thought Christmas involved. Give for the joy of giving Giving because you love is far different from giving to engender love. Keeping score on gifts makes giving more like an empty ritual. Consider trimming your giving list. Some friends or relatives may be relieved when you say, “Let’s not give to each other this year. Let’s give to someone who has greater need.” That might enable you to expand your giving list, either to include people you know to be in need, or through programs in churches or social agencies that specialize in caring for people, especially children, whose needs are great. Decorate “retro” Young adults or recently relocated people may not have Christmas decorations in storage, but those who have experienced many Christmases often have older decorations that never come out of the box anymore. Experience gleeful nostalgia. Your children may find delight in the oldies. Your budget CONTINUED ===