The Beauty of a Simple Holiday
We have all done it, we have all been guilty of trying to host the perfect holiday celebration. One too many Hallmark movies and we have convinced ourselves we can make it snow in Las Vegas. Let’s be real, we cannot make it snow, nor can we will it to snow, but we can have the perfect simple holiday.
In our family there are a few things we have come to expect of every holiday, a major appliance will go out, someone will be sick or get injured, and there will be a fight. This may sound very negative, but after 40+ holidays together, we know with our luck and history these things always happen. By turning them into a joke, we avoid the stress of the moment, share a great laugh, and move on. Allow me to explain. Years ago, when my grandmother was alive, every holiday had to be perfect with 20+ sides. This equated to Grandma getting sick, and Mom and I working to exhaustion. I can’t speak for my mom, but I hated these holidays. The stress and work were simply too much. Not to mention Grandma’s temper. Thus the jokes Mom and I created.
Fast forward a few years, and holidays have become much smaller, much simpler. We look for the fight, injury, and broken appliance in a reminiscent manner. In an oddly dark way, they make us feel closer to my grandmother and remind us to not take the holidays or ourselves seriously. Between the families, we have a rag-tag pack of rescue dogs who usually fulfill the list. The excitement of the day proves to be too much, and someone snaps, no blood or dogs are ever hurt, a dog steals a key piece of the meal, and somehow, an appliance goes down. But rather than tears and stress, we laugh.
Meals have become budget and diet-friendly, with the focus placed on great conversations and memories. Games are played, old photos looked at, stories shared. The dogs happily snack on whatever hits the floor, waiting for the opportune moment to steal the turkey. A few years ago, Sheebah waited until we were all busy talking to tip-toe into the kitchen and steal the turkey. She enjoyed the turkey so much that when we found her we couldn’t help but laugh. We have learned to never leave a bird unguarded again.
The past holidays have been filled with laughter, barks, the sound of playing, and no stress. While the menus are much smaller, I would never trade the holiday traditions we have now for the complicated holidays of the past. The joy I find in guarding the turkey from a dog is so much more fulfilling than figuring out how to seat 50 people in a home. Over the years, I have come to learn people will never remember what you gave them, they will remember how you made them feel. For me, creating memories, and enjoying my family is so much more important than showing off or cooking for days.
I encourage you to find ways to simplify your holidays, slow down, and enjoy the moments. PB&J sandwiches can be a delicacy enjoyed by all, rather than having one person slave in the kitchen. Fewer presents mean fewer bills in January. And nothing can ever take the place of a shared laugh.
Sincerely,
Sara O
