Peace, joy, and love – that’s Christmas in a nutshell. So why is it, so often, the ‘peace’ component is the first to go missing? Sometimes, it’s because of the actions of others (over which we have little control) but so very often it’s because of the stress we place on ourselves. Whether it’s exposing ourselves to expense we can little afford, committing to calls on our time when we simply don’t have the energy to expend, or telling ourselves we must feel a certain way when, in fact, we may be dealing with loss, pain, or loneliness. This festive season, we encourage you to bring joy and love to yourself and others in simpler, gentler, stress-free ways. Some of the suggestions below can do just that!
A hand written letter
Communication, these days, is digital, and gone in a trice. This Christmas, bring joy to another with a handwritten letter on the prettiest paper you can find. Include a sprinkle of dried flower petals that flutter out when the letter is opened. Make the decorative envelope yourself from a colourful magazine page or Christmas paper! So pleasurable to write, make, and send, and such a joy to receive.
Button hole beauty
There are many people in our lives who, although not exactly friends, we deeply appreciate and want to thank, and Christmas is a great time to do it with an inexpensive button hole you make yourself. Check out the video below for the ‘how-to’s,’ and Christmas-them-up with tinsel and a sprig of artificial red berries. Add a little gold safety pin to make it easy to attach, and you’re all set to hand it to your doctor’s receptionist, your favourite supermarket check-out operator, or your hairdresser!
Garden secs!
Do you have a shrub or hedge in your street-facing garden? If you do, hunt out the tinsel or festive bunting (check out op-shops for next-to-nothing Christmas decorations) and get decorating! It will bring a smile to the faces of passers-by, especially children. Who knows, it may even encourage others in your street to do the same!
Merry mailbox drops
We can never thank our favourite neighbours enough, but mini Christmas puddings are a great start. Bake-free ‘puds’ are the way to go with this simple suggestion for decorating MelloPuffs. Place the finished results into a cellophane bag with a note of appreciation, tie with a pretty ribbon, and slip your gift into your neighbour’s mailbox!
Be inclusive
We are nation of different ethnicities, not all of whom celebrate Christmas. If you do celebrate this festive period, remember to include those who don’t. It can be as simple as greeting them with ‘Happy Holiday Season!’ rather than ‘Merry Christmas,’ or sending them a ‘happy holidays’ card.
Shop for another
When you’re next heading to the supermarket, pick up a few potential-Christmas-gift items to put in the food bank collection. Felt pens, note pads, glossy magazines, scented candles, and chocolate almonds are good starters. Include some gluten-free treats, too. Food banks appreciate early Christmas giving as it helps them with their Christmas distribution planning.
Gifts from the garden
Love is a garden hamper(!) and when you pop it in a shoe box lined with a festive tea towel, it becomes a Christmas gift like no other. So gather up those excess courgettes, pop the sugar snap and snow peas into a cellophane bag, and scatter some Christmassy-red strawberries over the top! It’s the perfect, stress-free seasonal gift for someone you appreciate.
This December, leave stress behind as you enjoy making and giving Christmas cheer to those you love and appreciate!
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