May Your Holidays Be Imperfect!

I was thumbing through a magazine the other day while waiting for my dentist appointment. It was the ‘holiday issue’ of a popular décor magazine (which shall remain nameless). Within the first few minutes of picking it up, I must have come across the word ‘perfect’ at least a dozen times:

Buy the perfect gift

Set the perfect table

Bake the perfect pie

Host the perfect holiday party

No pressure. Surely I’m not the only one that has noticed this, right? In today’s time-crunched society, it floors me that the media is still sending out the message that the holidays should be perfect and that it’s up to us to make them so. To balance things out, I’ve decided to give you permission and show you how to make the holidays imperfect. I bet you’ll agree that by adopting the mind-set ‘imperfect is the new perfect’, you’ll have a happier holiday and a more joyful year ahead.

Don't lose your head over holiday preparations!

Under-decorate

If you find it overwhelming to decorate every room of your home for the holidays, consider a new approach. Decorate the one or two rooms you’ll use the most over the season and see how you feel. Chances are you and your family won’t miss the extra knick knacks and you may even enjoy the holidays more because you’ll be less stressed. You will be especially appreciative when it comes time to take down the decorations and put them away.

Help for the Host

If you’re hosting a holiday soiree this year, don’t be a superhero – accept help from others. Make it a pot-luck. People feel better when they can contribute and it makes the meal more interesting. While you’re at it, consider putting your kids to work during the event or hiring students to help out. They can take coats as guests arrive, freshen up the appetizer plates and load the dishwasher. They’ll be learning valuable skills and perhaps making some extra money and you’ll be a more relaxed and joyful host!

Make it Meaningful

Connect to what the holidays are really all about – spending time and making special memories with the people you love. Make time for doing fun things together, like baking cookies, going downtown to see the holiday lights and festive store windows, renting a favorite family movie, or going skating at the local rink. An effective way to make time for these activities is to let go of the need to create the perfect home, buy the perfect gifts, and cook the perfect holiday meal. Perfection is unattainable, no matter how organized and talented you are (especially this time of year).

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic; please share your comments below.