Christmas Chores

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love the book "Unplug the Christmas Machine".  Although it is not a Christian book, it contains various strategies that help simplify your Christmas in very tangible and practical ways.  One of my favorite exercises encourages you to take a look at a list of Christmas chores or tasks.  Specifically, it suggests looking at the following list of typical holiday tasks and placing a check by the ones that you were primarily responsible for last year.

• Making up a gift list
• Christmas shopping
• Making gifts
• Wrapping gifts
• Mailing gifts
• Writing cards
• Making cards
• Helping out at church
• Holiday baking
• Home decorations
• Special holiday cleaning
• Buying stocking stuffers
• Advent preparations
• Getting the tree
• Decorating the tree
• Outside decorations
• Hosting parties
• Preparing company meals
• Helping with school activities
• Planning family gatherings
• Making Christmas dinner
• Extra grocery shopping
• Making travel arrangements
• Packing
• Preparing for house guests
• Add any others

Now, think about how you felt last year as you were doing each of these things.  Put a star by the ones that you enjoyed.  If you did not enjoy a task, write down a few words that describe the reasons you did not enjoy that particular task.

Although it is probably impossible to eliminate all tasks that you did not enjoy, I would strongly encourage you to let go of as many of them as possible.  Focus on the ones that you enjoy.  Also, if you are wanting to shift toward a more spiritual focus, you will probably have to eliminate some of these tasks to make room for other things.