Let’s go through the checklist:
Christmas tree put up? Tree decorated? Presents bought? Presents wrapped? Presents placed gingerly under the tree? Stockings hung? Roast beast in the oven? All the other fixin’s in the works? Family headed to the house? Blankets ready for the kids to make a pallet and sleep over? Out-of-office email created? Christmas cards sent?
I’m exhausted just thinking of everything that needs to be done for Christmas. I’m sure you’re exhausted having to do it.
You may expect me to wax poetic about how wonderful the Christmas season is, how you can feel in the air the kindness and joy, how sweet baby Jesus and the grown one, too, have blessed us infinitely — but I’ll save that for another time.
Christmas is tough for so many. Think about it: the structure of your life goes haywire as work slows down or speeds up, depending on what you do. You suddenly are expected to make extensive plans with family, whether that may be inviting a big group to your home or making an hours-long trek over the hill and through the woods to Grandma’s house. Not only do you have to see family, you have to buy gifts for them and help with a massive meal. You have to budget for turkey and ham and iPhones and Barbies and Hot Wheels and Nintendos.
All that’s combined with the scientific fact the average Alabamian starts to feel a Vitamin D deficiency around December, since there’s less sunlight and you’re not likely to spend as much time outdoors. It’s called seasonal affective disorder — also aptly known as SAD.
So all the family stress, financial worry, and plan-making, especially when combined with the notion Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to depression and anxiety, all mean many of us are riding the struggle sleigh and hitting every chimney along the way.
Reader, know you aren’t alone.
It can feel incredibly overwhelming when everyone around you seems to be holly-jolly and gung-ho for the holidays. Or, if you’re like me, and you don’t have a supermassive family to tend to for the holidays, you may feel a little left out from the Christmas cheer.
Save your “Bah, humbugs” for another Christmas; we will get through this together.
Blah, blah, stay on the nice list, blah, blah, reason for the season… They’re cliches because they’re true.
Consider donating your time. Find a place to volunteer on Christmas. Lots of churches have Christmas events, and they need volunteers. Maybe see if your local senior center will accept some visitors and a home-made dessert. Maybe bring something for the service workers who have clock in on Christmas to make popcorn at the movie theater, ring up last-minute cans of condensed milk at the grocery store or make fast-food hamburgers for travelers.
Furthermore, pay attention.
Watch for the wrinkle in a stranger’s brow that may indicate they’re having a tough time. Walk up to someone and pay them a simple and genuine compliment and a “Merry Christmas.” The little things go a long way.
Pay it forward this Christmas, whatever “it” may be for you. Donate your time and money.
Most importantly, think of what you want and need this Christmas, and try to give it to others. I guarantee you’ll feel at least a little better.
