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I wrote “The End” this week, which is always a good feeling. Having accomplished that, I feel better about doing things like browsing the mall just to see what’s there or reading a book just for fun. I have revisions to do, but they require thinking breaks, intervals of doing something else while my subconscious works on the issue at hand. So I can go stroll through the mall and start shopping, in a leisurely way, without feeling guilty.
Some of us celebrate Christmas for religious reasons while others just enjoy the secular spirit of goodwill and still others celebrate other holidays, or no holidays. Those of us looking toward one holiday or another often find ourselves with preparations to make. The biggest, for those who give Christmas gifts, is the sometimes dreaded, sometimes delightful holiday shopping ritual.
The biggest shopping day of the year, the Friday after Thanksgiving, has come and gone. Some of you probably braved the crowds and got great deals. Some of you probably have lots of shopping left to do. I’m in the latter group. I haven’t really started, except for the few things I picked up during the year because I didn’t trust them to be there in December or didn’t trust myself to remember them.
Fun can tend to vanish into the chaos of holiday preparations—not just gifts to buy and wrap and possibly mail but cards to address and mail, decorations to locate and put up, meals to plan, purchase and bake, and, maybe, company spurring you to give the house an extra cleaning or do laundry or finish specific things before they arrive. In our quest to do nice things for others in honor of the holidays, we sometimes neglect to do something nice for ourselves. An hour with a cup of coffee or tea and a book, half an hour driving or walking around and looking at decorations, or a family gift-wrapping session after dinner can recharge the spirit wonderfully.
I start my shopping, officially, tomorrow. We also have cards to address and a house to decorate. I’m resolved not to let it make me nuts, though. If the last little figurine doesn’t show up on the mantel, who’s going to care? I’m setting aside time to drink tea and read, as well as work on my revisions, between now and December 25.
Do you have a special recharging strategy for the holidays? What do you like best about the season? Leave me a note and let me know.
2 Comments
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Susan 
Nancy,
Congratulations on finishing your book! Writing The End ~is~ truly a wonderful feeling.
This year’s Christmas preparation are a bit different for me since I’ve had to do most of my shopping online. But you know, I’m enjoying the holiday so much more as a result. I’m not stressed as I usually am by having to deal with traffic and mall madness. I might even do it this way again next year!
Happiest of Holidays to you!
–Gerri