I‘m no Frankie, but I’m adopting the sentiment this holiday season. The cliche is to rush rush rush, shop ’til you drop, attend every party, work function, potluck, charity, concert, holiday tea, etc. until January 1st when we collapse in a puddle of gifts, pine needles, and prozac.
Is this what we want? It certainly is not what I want. I want a calm holiday, spent with warm drinks, warm friends and family, and of course celebration. In moderation. How do we attain this balance? Fear not, frenzied friends. I’ve got tips!
Meri’s “Keep Calm and Christmas On” List:
1. Just say “yes” when you are invited to the St. Paul Hotel’s Holiday Tea (we went last year and it is divine, relaxing, and so slow moving you can’t help but relax. Plus, there is the tree in Rice Park all lit up). Just say “no” when you are invited to a random acquaintance’s Ugly Christmas Sweater party the night before your early holiday dinner with your side of the family. Just don’t do it. Saying no can be hard, but when you’re gazing out the window at this
instead of running around with frostbitten hands trying to find an appetizer to feed 40 strangers, you will thank me for encouraging resolve.
2. Get some d$%# exercise people! I like to do kickboxing or yoga. Friday afternoons after work are a great time for this- it really amps up my energy, clears my head, and gets my blood pumping. Choose your poison for this one, but for crying out loud get moving.
3. Give yourself a break on the “one cup a day” rule. Caffeine, that is. I encounter so many people who limit themselves on principle and drag onward day by day. Fill up a cuppa joe, or (GASP) an oh-so-poisonous diet coke. You know you want to, and Meri says it’s okay! (slyly sipping second cup of coffee…)
4. Do something nice. It might be for someone you love, it might be for a stranger, it might be for your neighbor or coworker that you hate. It really doesn’t matter- you will find peace doing this.
5. Treat yourself to something fancy. Depending on budget, this might be a sassy red lipstick, a fresh shave (if you’re a dude), getting your hair “painted” like I did yesterday (that’s what I call foils, my friends), or a rockin’ new dress or pair of earrings. I know this is incredibly shallow, but I can be incredibly shallow when it comes to simple aesthetic delights. Stay posted for a photo list of my favorite things this week!
6. It’s okay to sleep in when you can. I slept in until 10:30 today and it felt incredible. Sure, I didn’t have 40 crafted ornaments completed by noon, but I have to say I’m feeling pretty good.
7. Finally, my most important:
Spend some time with the ones you love. Quality time. Pour a drink, put on some holiday tunes (after watching SNL on Tivo this morning I’m really missing the Sesame Street Christmas Record!) and have a good old fashioned good time.
Man-go-round was gracious enough to surprise me with some bubbly last night, to kick off the holiday week and also what we have deemed to be “birthday week” (I get a week since I have to share it with Christmas).
 |
| it’s only an illusion that mine looks more filled! |
What about you crazy kids? Do you have any tips for the masses to keep their sanity in this crazy time of year? Do share!
Cheers!
Meri
26 Responses to Meri says RELAX