Release high expectations for better holiday

Release high expectations for better holiday

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Letting go of holiday expectations might be the wisest choice for one’s well-being.

I always imagine these perfect Hallmark-like scenarios in my head. My heart bursts with anticipation beforehand, only to plummet into disappointment, even anger over how nothing ever turns out the way it is supposed to.

One Christmas, I chose a cute rocking horse for my daughter, Kaitlyn. This cute, soft horse looked almost like a sturdy stuffed animal. Excitement in me grew as I anticipated her joy. We made a big mistake though. We failed to assemble it ahead of time. Had we done so, we would have realized that parts were missing. Just like that, I was upset. The special gift had flopped. Other gifts occupied my daughter’s attention. I, however, acted like a baby.

The next day, I wanted to exchange it for one with all the parts. Of course, they were out of stock, and we couldn’t get another anywhere. In hind sight, I don’t know why we just didn’t go buy the missing parts at the hardware store. I loved that gift. My desire involved that particular gift whole and working. Instead, I settled for a plastic rocking horse that made galloping sounds. We still have that toy. She and her sister enjoyed it. The first choice, however, lives on in my mind though as the perfect gift gone wrong. Maybe someday, I can find another similar to it or just like it for a grandchild. Maybe I can live the special moment the way it was supposed to go. But there I go again, setting myself up for possible disappointment.

It would be nice if that was just a fluke, but it isn’t. Maybe that is how it was for the toy, but the experience of disappointment occurred in other ways over the years with different kinds of expectations. Expectations may involve gifts or people or food or feelings or moods.  Let’s face it—nobody really acts like a Hallmark movie gathering.

Opportunities for offense of some kind abound at gatherings. Tension often remains until forgiveness is given or people lighten up or comparisons are dropped. If we can laugh at the cake that turned out a bit lopsided instead of being mortified over it, the day may be more enjoyable. Perhaps we can accept each other, faults and all.

Christmas is about more than perfect gifts, special outfits, elaborate tables of food, and fancy decorations. The holidays aren’t a competition, nor are they meant to be “perfect”. Perfection is a mirage.

Perhaps we could avoid the stress that emerges this time of year by lowering our expectations and relaxing. Simplify the menu. Pare the spending. Maybe give to those in need rather than adding to a stockpile of someone who has so much already. Block out the gimmicks and noise.  Make Christmas the light in the darkness again. Let Christmas be about love and honor. May it be about people and relationships, not about stuff.

And if the special gift you wanted to give someone special fails somehow, remember that material things wear out, break, lose their luster; but the memory of cuddling on the couch for the Christmas story, singing to a favorite song, and laughing until your sides ache make memories no one can steal or destroy.

Christmas isn’t about the food. It’s about one gift: Jesus. That is the perfect gift. No one can trump it, but you could try to replicate the love.

Merry Christmas!

 

 

6 Replies to “Release high expectations for better holiday”

  1. So true, Michelle. Those expectations will bring disappointment every time.
    Hope you enjoy a wonderful, relaxed, and meaningful Christmas this year.

  2. Oh my gosh…I so totally relate. Our family has had a huge disconnect, and we won’t be spending the actual Christmas Day with anyone. But in the past, I can absolutely relate to wanting everything to be perfect. My faith has brought me to the reality that it never really was perfect. I might have posted this here before, but if not…this quote is from a book I read, and it hit home for me and this quote hangs on my work desk wall.

    “It’s only before the realities set in that we can treasure our delusions.” Anna Quindlen “Every Last One”

    If you haven’t read the book…it’s a good one…but a hard one.

    I am a Hallmark Christmas movie addict…and I know that it is not remotely reality. I try to pray every night…to remind me that God/Jesus is the reason…and not to get so caught up. I still do, though, and try to find good gifts for everyone.

    Bless you Michelle for sharing.

    1. Thank you, Deb. That is a really good quote. I will have to look up that book. Our draw to Hallmark movies must be their happy endings. We all need a break once in awhile to immerse ourselves in a good story. 🙂 I wish you a peaceful and blessed Christmas!

  3. Michelle, I must have been very busy the day this arrived, and I didn’t take time to reply. I wanted to tell you about an episode that happened to me when I was a new bride. Lynn was still in the army at the time, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. We lived near there in a small duplex provided by the army. Lynn wanted to invite a couple of his army buddies for Sunday lunch, which was fine with me, or so I thought. I have two older sisters, the oldest of which did much of the cooking as a teenager while mom worked, so I was not an accomplished cook. I don’t remember what my menu included, but I well remember that I burned the biscuits. I was do embarrassed and disappointed, but the guys were so nice about it, we ended up laughing about it. All I could do was thank God for such understanding friends.

    1. Thanks for sharing this story, Donna! I love hearing your stories. I can relate also. It seems if something is going to get burned or flop, it’s when you want it to be perfect. LOL I am so glad for a happy ending.

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