x-mas has arrived

A few words before the x-mas madness starts (unless it has for some already).

Has the world gone mad? Autumn is only just here and I find x-mas decoration everywhere. I had a big struggle shopping today forcing myself passed all the x-mas chocolate which I just love. No, I am not a size 0 (I like food far to much for that), but still try and eat sweets in moderation. I usually have chocolate or/ and ) crisps on Friday and Saturday night, but try and leave it at that for the rest of the week. I keep my eating habbits in check with running to create a BALANCE. The more I eat, the more I run. But getting back to the point of x-mas. I have tried over the last couple of years to take on a more environmental approach. Well, not just x-mas but also birthdays. Instead of paying all this money for wrapping paper which usually just ends up in the bin anyway, I bought a birthday/ x-mas bag for my husband which I can reuse every year by just placing the items in the bag. No peeking! For my son we have been doing the following for years on his birthday and x-mas. When he was younger the presents somehow got lost all over the house/ flat and he had to find them. Basically a treasure hunt which made it a little bit more exciting. Now where he is older we cover his presents up with a blanket ( we don’t go over the top with presents anyway) and we have a quizz. We ask him questions about his favourite book, tv program, math ….. and when ever he gives the right answer he gets a point. Each present has a certain amount of points and when he has enough, he can put his hand under the blanket to pull it out. BUT when the answer is wrong he looses points. It can be a right laugh and drags the whole “giving presents time” out that little bit longer. UUUhhhh, I love to torture my children ). So, it is a fun way of saving paper and money.

Last year I have stopped sending x-mas cards. Well, not entirely. Primary school made x-mas cards with the kids each year so we bought the smallest pack that our son has created. These cards are send to grandparents and great grandparents without a computer. Other people (not that many anyway) are getting e-cards. I also ask for the same in return. The money we have saved on cards and stamps I donated to PETA, but there are obviously other good causes to give money to. Donations don’t have to be big. I think it counts more what you do yourself to improve a situation. If you give a lot of money to Greenpeace because you have a guilty conscience for using the car to get to the corner shop every day is a bit hypocritical. I only give a little bit to PETA because my main contribution is not to eat meat anymore.

The hunt for presents. No, we don’t end up in debt over x-mas just so we can go mad. Why should we? I enjoy being with my family more than a pile of presents that probably end up in the cupboard sooner rather than later. Instead of struggling every year to find the right presents for the family and throwing yourself into the x-mas crowd, consider making it yourself. Something that comes from the heart. Maybe a relaxation kit with a herbal candle, a scented bath salt ….. Honestly, last year I did not go down town anymore from the end of October. Sounds silly, but I just can’t stand crowds pushing you around. You hardly see any friendly faces because everybody is panicking about getting the right present and not really looking forward to this stressful time full stop. Why do people do it? Why do they let this time of the year turn into stress? Some thrive on it, but others don’t. They are close to a nervous breakdown to impress the family. Chill out!

Apart from the chocolate in the shops that are a huge temptation I am more looking forward to Samhain anyway. I take it one step at a time and Yule is not quite on my list yet.  

For the once that are already wandering now, have you considered doing something completely different as a Yule/ x-mas (what ever you celebrate) present this year? For example buy a tree as a present and “hand it over”. Have a look here http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk but I am sure there are many other organizations and possibilities. Can you not also buy a star )?????? Not sure how all this works, but I am sure it would make a nice change. Let your imagination run wild.