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Asperger’s Syndrome At Christmas Time
The Christmas season is a time of joy and peace; celebrating with loved ones; when a feeling of hope renews the spirit. At least that’s what it’s meant to be like…however the reality for those of us blessed with a child with Asperger’s Syndrome is often ...
Sot Suppe (Norwegian Sweet Soup) for Christmas
My mother was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded our small Wisconsin dairy farm in the late 1800s. When my mother was a child, sweet soup was a traditional part of Christmas Eve, served cold with julekake, lefse, Christmas bread, or ...
Truck Stop Christmas
This is a true story. It was told to me by a guy I met on a Riverboat. That’s how I know it’s true; who could doubt the veracity of a River Rat? He didn’t use any backup singers when he told it to me, but I thought since this is going out on the Internet ...
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Christmas is a wonderful time! Everyone is full of good cheer, the milk of human kindness and 20 pounds of candy. All gifts are given with love, are exactly the right size, are exactly the right color, or exactly the right thing for exactly the price you could afford. Right?
Well, if YOUR Christmas seems to fall short every year, here are some ways to keep your sanity and enjoy the unexpected joys that the season brings.
1. News Flash! You are not perfect! Nor is your family! Give up the myth that they should be!
2. Dont make the season complicated! Simplify! While elaborate decorations may appeal to your decorating ego, putting them up takes time and energy that may be best spent elsewhere this Christmas.
3. Everything doesnt have to be homemade. Pies, cakes and cookies are perfectly acceptable if they are bought at a bakery. And your children just might celebrate if you decide not to make that knitted scarf this year!
4. Relax. Take time out from the hustle and bustle to just sit with a cup of tea or cocoa and read. Or take a long hot bath. If you take some time for yourself, you will be better able to cope with the holiday chaos.
5. Let other people pitch in. You are not the only one who can do Christmas! Ask someone to do tasks you usually do, such as make the eggnog or cookies. And then LET THEM DO IT even if they dont do it just the way you want! Dont constantly look over their shoulder.
6. Dont make the season an ordeal for your children by expecting perfect behavior. Children can easily be overloaded with the food, sights, expectations and social whirlwind of the season. Again, simplify for their sake and yours!
7. If you can afford to
hire a cleaning service before company comes for Christmas, do it! Give it to yourself as a Christmas present! You will enjoy the season more because you wont be worn out from scrubbing that tile with a toothbrush!
8. If you cant afford to pay cash for a gift, wait until next year to buy it. Save for the gift in the meantime. The short term thrill of buying the gift will be more than overpowered by the struggle to pay it off months into the new year.
9. Get out of the house and walk when you begin to feel stress. It will help you calm down and keep off those extra pounds. And it will give your family a break from you!
10. Dont do guilt to yourself and others. Dont use your expectations of the season as a weapon against your friends and family. Enjoy what comes this season. It may not be what you expected it may be better!
And remember love doesnt come wrapped in paper, or tied with a bow. You cant get it for $19.95 if you call now or for two easy payments of only you name the price. But love is but in the corners of a small childs smile, the twinkle of a fathers eye or the drape of an arm across your shoulder. If you are expecting something else, you just might fail to recognize it! How crazy!
Pamela Cole Harris is an editor and writer with 35 years experience. Visit her website, http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com, for her unique view of home decorating and remodeling (and a free monthly newsletter!). Or for original content unique to your website, written especially for your keywords and your audience, visit http://www.pamelacoleharris.com.
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