You guys, I’m NOT usually a holiday person. Like, at all…..
I know – that seems really strange considering the title of this blog post, yes? I hear you. It seems odd….
We usually go AWAY in Nessie to the backwoods for Thanksgiving. And, since I lean more towards minimalism the older I get, Christmas at our house is really supposed to be (lookin’ at you, Grandma’s!) about fewer gifts and more giving to others.
But, here’s the thing: when you write a blog all about more substantial living and living a life that is much more meaningful: you REALLY start to think about what those particular things might be! I know this seems completely obvious, but this blog really IS supposed to streamline and prioritize and simplify! And since I spend an embarrassingly large amount of time marinating on just what those things might be for muah….I also spend (admittedly) an enormous amount of time thinking about what those things might be FOR Y’ALL!
As you follow me along my journey of living with more clarity and focus on what’s important, you might not necessarily find the particular things I point out “speak to you,” which is totally okay!!!
For example, you may not share my adoration for fermenting foods, or from scratch cooking or essential oils – and again: TOTALLY OKAY. The point is that with each of this blog’s newsletters you read, ideally what you are doing is taking my version of a more substantial life — and making it your own….
Sound good? Good!
So, if you aren’t (naturally) a traditionalist regarding the holidays – remember, I am totally right there with ya!
BUT: I ask you to steep your mind into a long thought process about just how you CAN create a more substantial (essential!) holiday season!?
You see, a recent wee health scare (thankfully – I’m fine!) had me REALLY thinking about the whole ‘what-if-I-wasn’t-around-for-as-long-as-I’d-like’ mindset, which also (since the holidays ARE coming up) had me navigating this thought process towards just that:
How *maybe* I’ve let the wonderful traditions during the holiday season become less of a priority….
I am (in every sense of the word!) a non-traditionalist. Like, about as non-conformist as one could get. I’m quite proud of this, to be honest. But it was during my mind marination that I realized it isn’t JUST about muah. Totally bizarre, I know!!! 😉
I started thinking about my son, and my stepdaughters, and my parents and mother-in-law; I started thinking about just HOW important it was for me to make memories for my kids. Also, it got me to thinking about how our parents are getting older, and with my own Dad’s recent bout with pancreatic cancer, well – that I clearly need to make more memories for everyone special around me! This includes girlfriends, too! And, since I am passionate about making positive changes on as big a scale as humanly possible for me – I also started thinking about how I could incorporate this into my holiday season.
And, the holidays are just the perfect excuse to make those new memories happen!
Here are some tips to get started on creating a more substantial life through making memories this holiday season, you guys!
Remember, you just need to focus more on memory-making and less on going to the local big box store to get something mediocre. This is really about focusing on creating a memory….NOT just buying stuff for others….
Make holiday cards a tradition….
This one is so simple these days! You certainly do NOT need to hire a professional photographer, either! With high-quality cell phone photos, just take some recent shots of everyone in your family (furry friends included!) and create an awesome holiday card through Basic Invite! They are not just ANY online card company, I assure you! Their dedication to high-quality detail is what blew me away!
Basic Invite offers you much, much more (for your money!!!) than the average online card company out there today. Here’s the Basic Invite Difference I fell in love with:
Almost Unlimited Colors – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. This is what I personally feel sets Basic Invite apart from almost any other online stationery company and is what I love most about creating (truly!) custom cards.
Custom Samples – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as feel the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order. SOOO awesome!
Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes – Basic Invite is just as colorful with their envelopes as they are with their invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of the Basic Invite envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed without licking a single one. It’s the little things, y’all…….
Address Capturing Service – Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses which will be stored in the customer’s account and can then be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all Christmas card orders. See what I mean???? Basic Invite is the BEST + most forward-thinking card company out there today!!!!
Foil – Foil holiday cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Customers can choose flat or raised foil on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs.
And, to boot, they offer OVER 500 Christmas card and holiday card designs!!!!! What’s NOT to love? Right now, Basic Invite is offering 30% off with coupon code: holi30 – but that is a special code through this blog only! So, take advantage of such a generous offer, you guys!
I’d like to challenge you, dear readers, to get the most out of those holiday cards people send you AND the ones you send! Create a festive decoration where they hang along twine, or scrapbook them if that’s your thing, or you could even create a clear keepsake box for the special holiday cards you don’t want to forget! I think the most fun thing to do is to hang them by simply punching a hole in the top corner and hanging them in the house! Even in mid January it’s lovely to be reminded of those faces you hold near-and-dear!
Gather…..Just, GATHER….
However you need to make this happen – MAKE it happen! For example, my closest girlfriends and I are going to do a fun wreath-making party (wine of course included!) – but we’ve not put ANY pressure on ourselves! We’re going to order a pizza, research on our own how to make the wreath we each decide on, bring those supplies ourselves, and then get to it! We’ve banished any Martha Stewart expectations and are just looking forward to playing vintage Christmas music, diffusing my essential oil holiday blends, and creating fun memories together!
Another idea would be a family and friends holiday buffet! This way, you are only responsible for making ONE dish! Alternatively, a fun idea is getting family and friends together for a holiday-themed game of charades! Create a beautiful holiday party invite online, and then have each guest inform other guests what dish they will bring. You don’t provide anything but the adult beverages! See?
I just gave you a fantastic way of creating holiday memories without making you cook!!!
Of course, there’s the traditional Thanksgiving feast and Christmas dinner and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and, well – the list goes on and on….but whatever holiday you celebrate this winter, just remember to gather! It does NOT have to be elaborate – and let’s banish this weird tradition where we put the work on one person (or family)!
Remember it isn’t about impressing others, who gave the most expensive gift, or which family member to ‘out-do’ next season. It should ALWAYS be simple, focused around the people you love most, and I say the more intimate the celebration – the more memorable! So keep it light and don’t put too much pressure on yourself! And, remind others around you that that is NOT what the holiday season is supposed to be about….
Give Back.
What do I mean? Well, this can mean a lot of different things!
I would personally like to teach my son the importance of helping those less fortunate than we are, so creating a new family tradition where you volunteer at your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter is a wonderful way to create memories (and instill life lessons) for your loved ones!
You could also give donations to charities rather than an actual gift for others. For example, if your cousin is passionate about dog rescue, donate to her local animal shelter in her name. Or, if your friend is trying to build a small side business, purchase her some business cards to help her find inspiration or even assist her in taking her business to the next level!
As a passionate doTERRA Wellness Advocate, I always make sure to make handmade holiday gifts for friends and family members each year! With doTERRA, I am supporting a company who believe in making positive changes in the world, supporting others ethically, and making a serious global impact. So, I’m able to support a company I’m apart of, believe in, deeply trust, AND that I know makes a difference in a positive way! It’s a complete win-win!Â
So, my point is this: take your idea of what you think the holiday season is (or, what it has simply BECOME) and turn that concept on its head: stop supporting big box stores, take the time to give to others and create meaningful gifts, and make sure to photographically capture each holiday season with a wonderful seasonal holiday card.
The holidays really DON’T need to continue being what they have traditionally been for the last upteen years! So, the message I’d like to get across is this:
[bctt tweet=”Maintain MEANINGFUL + SELFLESS holiday season traditions, but take the generic Holiday Season GIFT GIVING + FEASTS and make them about as NON TRADITIONAL as you can! – A Substantial Life Blog” username=””]
I would love to hear what YOU, dear readers, are doing to cherish quality time with those you love the most during this holiday season! Make sure to leave comments letting me know how you turn holiday traditions on their head, maintain existing or new traditions, OR simply how you survive it all! 😉
Regardless, I am most looking forward this year to receiving beautiful cards I can display, laughing and creating with my friends, and creating nontraditional memories that my kiddos will remember for a lifetime….
Always Here,
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