No More Hectic Holidays

As I see the leaves begin to turn from the lush greens of summer to the fiery oranges and golds of autumn, I am prompted to consider all of the change we have seen so far in 2009. We began with the promise of change and we have certainly seen that come to fruition. No matter the size, intention, or result, the process of change is rarely easy and the current economic downturn has made these changes especially difficult for most of us. Now the holidays are approaching and we must all decide how to handle what has traditionally been a time of excess when many of us are suddenly having to cut back.

Flexibility seems to be the needed attitude to successfully get through the season and be better for it in the end. If flexibility is the attitude, then simplicity is the mode. It's time to return to what really matters. It's time to remember the simplicity of how these holidays began: the Pilgrim's celebration of survival, the humble birth of a tiny babe, the miracle of a lamp that kept on burning. What is consistent among all of these celebrations? Life! So let us celebrate life this season by focusing on our families, our friends, and reaching out to those who may feel forgotten. Let's take an honest look at what we have, not the material things, but the relationships, the knowledge, the experiences that shape us and make us who we are. Let's celebrate this crazy roller-coaster ride called Life and make the most of it this season and into the new year.

Holiday Tips 2009

In the spirit of resourcefulness and simplicity, I offer the following tips for having a successful holiday season this year:

• Update your holiday decor by incorporating some of the new color trends into your existing palette. For Thanksgiving, add warm olive greens or honey yellows to your basic brown elements. At Christmas or Hanukkah, combine your tried-and-true red decorations with one of the new teal blues or warmer grays being shown this season. Replace the worn or stained snow-white ribbons on your wreaths with creamy dove white ones. Incorporate new metallics into your decor through fabrics and ribbons. The idea is to use what you already have and simply add a few new items where they really matter or where the old ones are wearing out. For more information on the season's color trends, go to http://www.pantone.com/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20644&ca=4 . And here's some good news, because home furnishing trends are usually slightly behind fashion trends these new colors will still look great next year!


• Incorporate natural elements into your decor, and I'm not talking about expensive wreaths flown in from Canada or Maine! Go into your own backyard and take a look at your trees, bushes, pine cones, etc. You may already have all the greenery you need. Clip some berry filled branches from your evergreen shrubs and place them on the mantel. Spray paint can turn dead twigs into sculptural works of art that create a stunning centerpiece or an elegant alternative to costly ribbon wrapped around the tree. Use the same paint on pine cones and pile them in a beautiful dish or hang them on the tree. Silver and gold are always elegant, and dove white is beautiful. You can buy flocking spray to achieve a snow-covered effect. If you want to be really bold, paint them a bright glossy red instead! For more ideas on decorating with pine cones, go to Holiday Decorating with Pine cones
  

Here are some tips on honoring Life this season:

• Carefully consider the activities and invitations you accept. Prioritize time spent with family and close friends and be sure to donate some of your time and/or money to a worthy charitable organization. Some of the best times with those you love can be spent volunteering at a soup kitchen or shopping for those in need. If you're not sure where to volunteer your time, I suggest beginning with your local church or synagogue and then take a look at the community section of your newspaper for announcements of meals being served or assistance needed. If you want to make a financial donation, start local and then go global. What better way is there to see your contribution at work than to see the difference in your own community?


• Be sure you leave plenty of time in your schedule to be home and enjoy your decorating efforts. Whether it's a quiet evening alone with a book and a blanket in front of a warm fire or a laughter filled night of baking cut-out cookies or carving pumpkins with the children, we all benefit from enjoying time in our beautiful and comfortable homes.


• And finally, don't sweat the small stuff! So your holiday feast didn't turn out perfect - just be thankful for the time with your guests and the fact that you have food in the cupboards for the next meal. Your decor isn't exactly how you imagined? Be thankful that you have a home and for those who live within its walls. You couldn't buy the perfect gift for a loved one? Remember that love cannot be purchased and find other ways to show your affections. If you find yourself being pulled into the mindset of the commercialized marketplace, remember these wise words:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also." Matthew 6:19-21