It is almost December and already the feeling of Christmas is in the air! Shopping centres are decorated and Christmas music is playing. I have even seen Santa and we aren’t finished with November yet!
With this feeling I’ve also noticed people looking stressed already as they prepare for the Festive Season and what should be an enjoyable time.
I was talking to a friend the other day who was stressing about Christmas and I thought how sad it was that we feel pressured at a time of year when we should be feeling happy.
The last few years have been difficult for everyone with Pandemic lockdowns cancelling Christmas and Family Festive activities for many.
Although here is Queensland during November we were warned about Stage 4 Wave of COVID and urged to get our boosters and wear masks, fingers and toes are crossed that everyone will still be able to get together with loved ones and celebrate the Festive Season.
Christmas time is my favourite time of year.
I love everything about it and especially having our family Christmas celebration where the grandchildren open their Santa Sacks and we have all our family together for probably the only time each year. This year we are actually hosting two functions one on 23rd and one on 25th December.
I want to enjoy this magical time of year with my family, especially the grandchildren and friends. However, like many of you I don’t want to feel worn out by the time the Festive season arrives.
A few years ago, whilst discussing my countdown idea with my daughter, we came up with a new twist on using the Advent Calendar. Instead of the 24 days of Christmas as the theme I will be using the Advent Calendar for the 25 days of Happiness.
I’ve never had an Advent Calendar but I found the perfect one at Target. I love the design and it will become a keepsake for me to use each year. I have now made my 25 days of Happiness my own Christmas tradition.
How will it work?
Each day starting December 1st, I will open my Advent Calendar and discover one thing to do that will make me feel less stressed, happy and sometimes just whimsical.
Some things might only be small that I can fit into my day and still continue with life, but for at least a few moments each day I will be putting the focus on my health and wellbeing by doing something that brings me happiness each day.
This is not a challenge but rather an exercise in making time each day to focus on myself , whether it is five or 30 minutes.
Won’t you join me?
I would love you to join me so I’ll be posting each day on Instagram (here is my link Instagram) and in my Facebook Group, Women Living Well After 50 . The idea is just a quick post with the theme of the day plus I’ll also be updating my progress each week on the blog, including photos.
I know I could give you the theme for each of the 25 days now, but isn’t it more fun and exciting to find out when I open the drawer each day?
Let’s give the gift of joy and health and well-being to ourselves during this magical time of year!
Join me you and post your photos to Instagram or social media, tag me and use the hashtag #My25daycountdowntoahappychristmas You don’t have to participate every day just when you can.
22 Comments
This is a lovely idea, Sue, and I’m looking forward to your Instagram posts. I totally agree that we hear too much about stress during the time up to Christmas, too much. This will be the first year in many years that I have no stress around Christmas, and I’m going to fully enjoy every minute of it.
HI Susanne, I’ve done it for the last couple of years and it really makes the lead up to Christmas fun and also helps with mindfulness to reduce stress xx
Hi Sue, your advent calendar is beautiful and it’s a lovely idea to put a 25 days of happiness twist on it. I will try to participate if or when I can. I’m hosting Christmas this year and still have a lot of gifts to get so I am feeling a bit of stress creeping in which isn’t great but if I break it down to one day at a time, bit by bit I will get there. I’m determined too to enjoy Christmas Day and create a beautiful day for my family to enjoy. Enjoy your week! x
Hi Min, yes the Advent Calendar is lovely I bought it a couple of years ago. I’m sure you will have a lovely Christmas day but hosting can be stressful so try to delegate what you can so you can enjoy the time as well. xx
Hi Sue – this is a fun way to lead up to Christmas and you’re absolutely right about that it should be a fun time and not stressful or budget busting. I’ve bought the grandgirls’ presents and I think I’ll put the tree up this weekend – and then I’ll just enjoy the lights and sparkle until closer to the day. I must say that my favourite part is having the family together – it’s always such a joy isn’t it?
Hi Leanne, we put up our tree yesterday and immediately felt in the festive mood! It is such a happy time of year but this can be overshadowed by stress and anxiety because our focus is on what to buy rather than giving the gift of love and enjoying our time with family and friends. x
Hi Sue – I love this idea. As you say, it’s a real shame to spoil what should be a happy joyful time of year by feeling stressed and burnt out. I look forward to seeing what delights are hidden in your advent calendar x
It is so easy to get caught up with the planning and stress of what to buy rather than enjoying the time with family and friends isn’t it Janine? x
This is a great idea Sue. I’ll be watching out for your themes. It will be a reminder for me of the point of Christmas. Christmas in the busiest time of year for us, so we usually get caught up in the busy-ness. When you add in family visits it’s a crazy time. We have to travel for our family visits, so we have decided that this year for the first time, we are staying at home. We will be working most of the time anyway so it will be a relief.
Thanks Jen, I’m sure you will have a lovely relaxed Christmas this year. Trying to fit in visits everywhere certainly adds to the stress. x
Hi Sue, this is a great idea and I will play along on the days that I can. I was anxious about decorating our little apartment for the first time, so I got a head start yesterday by putting up the tree. That settled me down. Now, we can head down to Miami for our Thanksgiving staycation and come home to pretty lights. This time of year is busy with activities, but generally stress-free for us. I’m sure participating in your focus exercise will help to keep it that way.
Hi Suzanne I’d love you to join me when you can. It is a fun project that I’ve done for the last few years and helps keep the focus on being happy and enjoying the lead up rather than stressing about it all. x
I like this advent idea – I’ll check I’m on your Insta. Here’s an idea for next year, get friends or your daughter to write the idea and put them in so you get a surprise too when you open the draw (or did I miss that – I’m watching the soccer and there’s a bit too much action in this game! Ha!) #WWandP
Hi Lydia, I’ve done this for the last few years and it certainly makes the lead up to Christmas fun. I also like the idea of having others come up with ideas for the drawers so I get a daily surprise too! x
I love your idea and will check it out. I admit, when we moved here, and away from our family, Christmas traditions were very challenging to maintain. Change is always hard for times like these but I am glad you are doing while you can with 2 small boys with their excitement overflowing!! Thank you for sharing your post for Wednesday’s Words and Pics. It is great to have you be a part of this blogging community each week. Denyse.
HI Denyse, I hear you re distance and Christmas traditions. We had to modify ours when we lived on the Coast but this year we are back to having our combined family Christmas with all of our children and grandchildren which I am looking forward to. x
Family is the heart of any major celebration and your words reflect your love of family. Looking forward to joining you.
Thanks Deb, I’m looking forward to doing the countdown again and hopefully bring some happiness to others. x
Hi Sue, Thank you for your weekend coffee share. The 25 days of happiness exercise is a wonderful new tradition. I look forward to seeing your theme for each of the 25 days.
Thanks Natalie, I have done the countdown for a couple of years and it really is a lovely way to lead up to the Festive Season x
You are so right. I don’t want to be stressed. It’s not worth it. I love your idea…my first thought was “wait they have Target there?” Lol.
Hi Kirstin, yes we do have Target here LOL! Putting the focus on finding happiness each day means we enjoy the Festive Season rather than stressing and being overwhelmed. x