All to Him I Owe

I’ve found that this time of year can be very difficult for families. Some of my most unusual counseling situations have come during the weeks prior to Christmas. Over the years, I’ve made a habit of sharing tips in an effort to help folks keep the Holidays Happy, rather than Horrible.  

1. Budget now, not in the midst of the season. Go into this season of giving with a knowledge of what you can afford, and then stick to your budget.

2. Be pro-active in setting expectations ahead of time. Remember, you know your situation and needs best. Go into family activities, vacations, etc. pro-actively planning what is best for your family’s physical and spiritual needs.

3. A creative gift can be better than a costly gift. Give your gifts some thought. Don’t limit yourself to only spending money on the things you give or do with family. Creativity can be a special, memorable gift.

4. Let “variety” be your tradition. Changes happen in a  family that often make it difficult to do the same thing every year. If we are not careful, our “traditions” can become so important that they overshadow the whole point of Christmas. Let variety be your tradition that enables you to easily adapt to the changing needs of your family, season after season, while always keeping Christ as the real reason behind the season.