Oh, hello tired lady.
Are you the one who makes the Christmas magic? The one who figures out who loves what, shops for it, hides it, wraps it, and places it with love under the tree?
The one who makes sure that the holiday treats are in the cupboard…the peanut butter balls, the gingerbread houses to gift, the special cookies, the chocolates you all love? Turkey, ham, cranberry sauce?
Are you the one who remembers, remembers, remembers and decorates so everything sparkles and then tries to make the magic happen in the hearts of the people you love?
My sister, Rena, did this:
Made 10,00000000000000 gingerbread cookies to give away. Her gingerbread recipe is the best — healthy, fresh, delicious.
I use it every year to make simple gingerbread houses (just so so so much better than the kits you find in the shops, or the ones you buy for $80 at the bakery.)
But oh, my friends, sometimes we get a little tired of being magic-makers.
So today I’m here to remind myself (and you) of this: the best Christmas memories are made when the magic-makers RELAX.
When I chill the crap out.
When I hug my crazy, frenzied merry-making brain and say to myself, “You’ve done enough, Catherine. It’s okay if nothing is sparkly or fun today.”
It’s okay if my people are grumpy.
It’s okay if the gift is disappointing, if the teens are not into family games night, if the turkey is dry.
When I RELAX, when I settle in to being with my family and letting things be, then the true magic happens. It gives everyone else space to step up and help. My family gets to be with the more fun version of me — the one who puts on fancy earrings and sits down on the sofa. It gives me the chance to breathe and find my own joy in this beautiful, sparkly season.
Work and then rest, my friends. Plan and then celebrate. Let’s be present as our present to the people we love.
Here’s to happy holidays!
Love Catherine x
PS.
Rena’s gingerbread recipe is easy and the best. It’s here for you :) Enjoy….from her Canadian house to yours.