Merry Christmas

I love the holidays.  I also hate the holidays.

I love getting our kids into their jammies, loading up the car, cranking the heat and Christmas tunes, sipping hot chocolate, and looking at Christmas lights.  I love decorated churches and Christmas concerts.  I can't wait to see my kids tear into their presents, watch people open ones they gave, and then have them call all the aunties and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, and cousins to say thank you.  I can't wait for them to come running in at 6 am on Christmas morning and bounce on the bed in excitement.  I love our Christmas morning tradition of opening presents, eating monkey bread, and just enjoying ourselves all day.  I love eating a lovely Christmas dinner Christmas Eve, and opening one present.  I love that a stocking not overflowing is not yet full, and I love that my wife never fails to make Christmas special no matter what.

I hate traffic, crowded stores, and the commercialization of Christmas.  I hate Walmart at Christmas (no offense to Walmart, there is not much they can do).  I hate being 3000 miles form much of my family.  I hate that travel is nearly impossible this season.

I have discovered a Christmas secret: relax!  How?  Try these ideas:
1) Shop online- lots of free shipping this time of year.
2) Travel earlier, later, or not at all.  We make our big visits in the summer.
3) Keep traditions, embellish them, and enjoy them.
4) Make sure you kiss someone under a mistletoe and at 12:00 New Years.
5) Make sure Christ is the center of Christmas.  It's about GIVING: money, time, help.  Make sure the kids are part of this.

Relax, enjoy, love and give.  Happy Holidays!