And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
-Dr. Seuss
Oh, the obligations we endure around the holidays. It doesn’t matter what holiday you celebrate, there are always people who expect a visit, there are the delicious treats we feel pressed to cook or bake, and usually there are presents to buy which over-extend our budgets. The holidays have become over-commercialized and stress-filled. Is it possible to get through it unscathed?
As a tried-and-true grinch, I really appreciate the Dr. Seuss quote. However, the other day I had an epiphany. I realized that I used to love Christmas as a child and I have only become a grinch as an adult. So I decided to take back the holiday and make it what it was when I used to enjoy it. This takes courage and creativity. For instance:
I told my adult siblings that I will only be giving presents to the children and grandparents this year They grudgingly said “okay.”
I whittled my decorations down to a spotlight in the yard lighting up a wreath on the lamppost and a few poinsettias placed strategically around the house.
I decided since I love to bake with my kids that I will revel in baking with them. I will have the time to do this since I no longer have to shop for a gazillion presents for my many adult siblings.
Now that I have taken some stress off myself, I may actually enjoy Christmas this year instead of being a “grinch”. Hoping you find ways to de-stress and un-grinch!
by Claire Gawinowicz
Certified Parenting Educator
