What would you change about your holidays this year? Big or small, what would you do differently?
Right now, before you tuck the decorations away for another year, before you put the recipe box back on the shelf, before you write your thank-you
cards, think about what you'd do differently next year. Write a note to yourself and tuck it into the first holiday box you'll open next year.
Think of it as a letter to yourself for next year. Your memory is fresh right now, use it!!
These are the things I want to remember for next year:
1. I budgeted, and I didn't die. It was hard to not buy all the things I wanted to buy for people, but it was fine and now I don't have those horrendous bills to pay from years past. I want to remember that restraint didn't feel good on December 19, but it feels very good on December 29.
2. Three pounds of meat isn't quite enough.
3. I do not need any more ribbons or wrapping paper, regardless of the amount of the store discount.
4. I am destined to argue with my brother unless I just realize, once and for all, that we are radically different souls and that it's not going to change. (And that I, especially, cannot change him.)
5. Christmas lights make things seem magical.
6. Just like we tell kids, the presents I MADE(photographs of my nieces and nephews, blown up large for their parents) were the most fun to give, and caused the best expressions of delight on the recipients' faces.
7. Start earlier next year. The rush at the end is no fun.
8. Either do the Christmas cards early, or blow them off early, but don't beat myself up about it for a month.
9. I need to be as open to receiving as to giving. This is hard for me sometimes, and I wonder why.
10. Cookies are not really necessary.
There. I'm going to print it out, I may make a few more notes to myself in the margins, and I'm tucking it into the box with the wreaths, because it's the first box I get out every year.
What about you? What would you change?