By: Stephanie Andrews
Every year, I find myself longing for a simpler holiday season. The fourth quarter is always our busiest time at Balance Design (thank you!), and with increased social engagements and the pressure of gift-buying and decorating, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. Today, I’m taking a pause to reflect on how I can simplify the season to manage it better and with more joy.
Enclosed are some of the ideas that I came up with (with a little help from my friends and family).
1. Set Boundaries. I really struggle to say “No!” I get a fear of missing out or a sense of not wanting to disappoint someone, or simply a life-long habit of saying “yes”. I have decided that for December, my first answer is going to be “Let me think about that”. This answer takes away the urgency and lets me think about what I really want to do (and not do).
2. Set a Budget for Gifts (and stick to it!). Each year, Ed and I set a budget for the holiday list, and each year we blow it. This chaotic practice causes us stress in January and backs up some of the financial goals that we have set together (like travel and paying off our mortgage). This also allows us to have a meaningful conversation about goals and dreams, so I am looking forward to that!
a Beautiful Cutting Board that I Am Getting Ed After Pitching His Plastic One!
3. Healthy, Natural, and Handmade Gifts. This year, I intend for my gifts to fit one (or all) of these criteria: healthy for the body and mind, natural and not plastic, and made by a talented individual. This means that I will be searching on Etsy versus Amazon and that I am carefully considering each item that I have placed under the tree.
Holiday Decor Inspo. Photos by Jen Timms and Mikhail Pushkarev
4. Use only Natural Decor and White Lights. I am curious if I only use pine greenery, plants like amaryllis, paperwhites, strung cranberries, pinecones, etc., and white lights for sparkle, how will my house feel? I hope the answer is warm, cozy, and organic. So this year, I will have fewer ornaments on the tree and I am not going to put out my extensive Santa collection. I will include only my favorite tree ornaments because those are beautiful and bring me joy. However, I plan to simplify and give each ornament its own space in the greenery.
My Next Book for This Holiday Season… The Travel Book by Lonely Planet
5. Holiday Self Care. This December and January, I intend to read more as my chosen past time. Less TV, less phone, more good books! Lately, I seem to have lost my ability to sit still and read! I am going to start with small doses-1/2 hour in the morning and 1/2 hour at night. Like a muscle that needs usage, I am hoping to build up my reading muscle memory. I look forward to pairing this time with morning coffee and nightly tea for a full immersion experience!
Cherished Moments with Maggie!
6. Create Special Moments with Loved Ones. Ed and I both still have our parents and this is such a blessing. As they get older, we make a conscious effort to spend time together doing fun things. Whether it is a watercolor class, a game of cards, time talking about shared memories or simply eating together, we are grateful for these moments. Also since both kids have flown the nest, getting time with them is so much rarer than holidays past when they were kids. On that same note, our beloved dog, Maggie is 14, so she needs to be appreciated and treasured as well.
7. Slow Down at Work. When I am rushing to get everything done at work, nothing is done really well. I know this, yet I try to accomplish it all anyway. I need to edit my December schedule so that I can be really proud of the projects that I finish during the holidays. The same goes for our team, I need to allow time for projects to have the careful attention that they need, and not just push to do one more thing. I know our clients will appreciate the time we spent to make it beautiful and perfect for them.
These are a few items that I can get excited about, this holiday season. I will give you an update in 2 weeks and let you know how I am doing and perhaps even share some pictures with you. I am also hoping to share our team’s annual gift-giving blog! This guide always has some unique ideas and gives you a glimpse into what they find fun and meaningful! I hope your Thanksgiving is joyful and somewhat peaceful.
