Are You Ready for the Holidays?

Halloween was barely over and suddenly Christmas lights, displays, and ads are everywhere! It seems as if the holiday season is exploding and we haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving yet.

This could be a strange holiday season. There are not enough service workers in most industries – you’ve probably noticed some of your favorite stores and restaurants are short staffed or even closed on certain days because of staffing issues. Add to that the supply chain issues and this could be a strange holiday season indeed.

With gifts being difficult to find in stores and even online, this might be the year to temper back some expectations. Of course it’s always a good idea to lower expectations around the holidays – because they tend to be so high. This might be an excellent year to get straight about the holidays and what’s really important.

Of course Covid is still out there and while it may never completely go away, we’re still living with high risks that usual.

So how do we prepare for the holidays with so much uncertainty still lingering in our lives? That’s a good question. It might not be the best year to throw a large New Year’s Eve party, but it’s a perfect year to host a gathering with family over the holidays. Pot lucks are always fun and a perfect way to lessen the load on the host and enjoy different dishes from family and friends.

If you can’t find the perfect gift (or it won’t arrive before next summer) consider making something to give such as a special meal or a loved dessert and including a hand-written recipe card with instructions on how to make it.

Instead of spending money on gifts that might not arrive on time, spend time with family doing the things that make you laugh. Laughter is a mood lifter and we could all use a little mood lifting.

There’s still plenty of time before the holidays, but now is a great time to get started on planning some special and memorable things to do and give for the ones you love.

Remember, it’s not about the dollar amount you spend, or the size of the gift – it’s about the memories you make with those you cherish.

Enjoy this holiday season!