Beyond tradition or a religious holiday, Christmas is a season that both believers and non-believers may appreciate.
In general, everyone encounters them to a greater or lesser degree. This is due to the fact that it now has a transversal nature, where being able to see loved ones is one of the most significant things.
However, the very thing that makes the Christmas celebrations unique also causes some individuals these days to have emotional management issues. We will thus provide some advice below on how to fully appreciate them.
Not everyone likes them, but don’t become a Gringe
It is one thing to not take any particular interest in the Christmas celebrations, which is perfectly acceptable and reasonable, and quite another to deliberately work to prevent anybody else from taking pleasure in them.
This will not only make you uncomfortable on these dates by constantly comparing your emotional state to that of others, but it will also make the people around you prefer to avoid you and your negative attitude and have a distant or even hostile attitude towards you. This will likely make you become defensive and fall into a loop of constantly reaffirming your criticisms of Christmas, which will likely contribute to you getting defensive.
Remember those who are no longer here
Many Christians and non-Christians use Christmas as an opportunity to spend time together as a family. These gatherings have an emotional undertone when a relative has recently passed away, but they are also an opportunity for conversation.
In this way, Christmas lunches and dinners may serve as a chance to remember people who are no longer with us and to force them to be present at the gathering in a particular way. It is a highly effective approach to deal with those longings for losses that, even while they are no longer expressed in grief (since the death occurred some time ago), have left an essential emotional trace that occasionally surfaces in our consciousness.
A good way to honor a loved one while also providing comfort to those who are grieving the most is to express what we feel with these people, share memories, or even perform simple rituals (such as leaving an empty chair in their honor). This strengthens the atmosphere of love and support between us all.
Christmas Fact For You: Candy canes date back to 1670.
According to History.com, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany gave the red and white sugar sticks to young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche tradition on Christmas Eve.
Simplify before Christmas shopping
It is no secret that the Christmas season has become much more than just a Christian festival, and a dynamic of consumerism has developed around it over the years. This might cause some people to feel “obliged” to buy without really needing to in order to escape the discomfort of thinking they have not made something “special” enough.
In this regard, it is best to keep things straightforward and to limit how much money we should spend.
Set a spending cap at these times in advance, and schedule your major purchases so that they don’t go over it. By doing this, you won’t have to worry about what and how much to buy all the time. Also keep in mind that symbolic purchases and presents may be quite effective in conveying feelings of love or affection. You don’t have to acquire a lot of stuff or spend a lot of money on opulent items.
But in order to do this, it’s best to start your Christmas shopping as early as you can. That way, you won’t find yourself in a situation where you’re unsure of what gifts to buy at the last minute (occasions like these encourage us to buy a lot or expensively to make up for the lack of ideas about what the “ideal” gift is). On the other hand, the purpose is what matters, not worrying about the concept of delivering the ideal present.
Be careful with overeating and drinking!
Christmas dinners and feasts have unique qualities, such as serving a lot of food and wine (this is a deeply ingrained cultural dynamic) and maybe holding multiple of them in a short period of time. As a result, it’s critical to pay attention to what you eat and drink. Keep in mind that even though it is legal, alcohol is still a substance that may harm the body if it is misused.
If you’re thinking about giving up drinking, take the necessary steps in advance to ensure that alternative beverages are accessible, and use strong communication when you explain that you don’t want or should consume alcohol. Even if there is considerable societal pressure, choosing other things won’t make you seem bad.
Don’t give in to social pressure by participating in events that don’t do you good.
In keeping with the aforementioned, keep in mind that your health comes first and that you shouldn’t succumb to the social pressure created by Christmas customs and traditions: if you have an injury and shouldn’t move, it is reasonable that you put this first.
It’s acceptable to postpone these dinners for another year if you’re recovering from addiction and believe they may trigger a relapse. It is also understandable that you would prefer not to go if you have a precarious health condition and worry about contracting an illness. Of course, keep in mind that there are now available alternatives, such as video calls, enabling quick “virtual” meetings.
Don’t be obsessed with giving a perfect image
Christmas is often the time of year when we see loved ones for the first time in a long time. If this is the case, resist the need to provide a flawless picture; doing so will impede the connection and make open communication challenging because of a fear of upsetting the other person.
Take use of the opportunities that Christmas presents to deepen emotional connections rather than risk doing the opposite by erecting barriers between you and other people.
Conclusion
Enjoying Christmas can be a truly magical experience when approached with mindfulness and intention. The five tips mentioned – prioritizing time with loved ones, simplifying traditions, managing expectations, giving back, and practicing self-care – offer a roadmap to a more meaningful and fulfilling holiday season. By focusing on the essence of togetherness, gratitude, and the joy of giving, we can transcend the materialistic aspects of Christmas and savor the warmth and connection it can bring. Ultimately, it’s about cherishing the moments, creating lasting memories, and embracing the spirit of love and generosity that defines this festive time of year.
