Lsbcal
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I don't really like all the holiday stuff and it seems mildly depressing. I notice a pick up in happiness in others early in the new year -- is that related?
Anyway, here is what we are doing this year to make it a happy time. For us it's easy as we are a very small family unit.
1) Our son is visiting with his new girl friend's family (we got Thanksgiving with them and she is a sweety). So we're sending out Amazon gifts to him. No fuss that way and he is a happy camper.
2) For each other we are just going to the stores together and buying our gifts. No wondering what DW needs. Instant happiness. Can avoid crowds, maximize selection by doing it now, avoids returns. I also ordered a few items she wanted on Amazon.
3) I'm taking DW out to some nice dinners and lunches between now and the New Year's. Probably just nice places that are not formal or very expensive. Seems to be a point of diminishing return with restaurant menu costs. We'd rather go out multiple times then splurge on high end restaurants.
4) Hoping to put off setting up and taking down the artificial Xmas tree . This depends on DW's mood. If she wants it I'll lug it down from the attic.
5) Avoiding controversy in our discussions and I'm becoming more aware of the friction I cause by being too picky or fussy i.e. redirecting my analytical skills to my own interests. Hopefully maximizes happiness.
What are you doing to avoid the holiday blues?
Anyway, here is what we are doing this year to make it a happy time. For us it's easy as we are a very small family unit.
1) Our son is visiting with his new girl friend's family (we got Thanksgiving with them and she is a sweety). So we're sending out Amazon gifts to him. No fuss that way and he is a happy camper.
2) For each other we are just going to the stores together and buying our gifts. No wondering what DW needs. Instant happiness. Can avoid crowds, maximize selection by doing it now, avoids returns. I also ordered a few items she wanted on Amazon.
3) I'm taking DW out to some nice dinners and lunches between now and the New Year's. Probably just nice places that are not formal or very expensive. Seems to be a point of diminishing return with restaurant menu costs. We'd rather go out multiple times then splurge on high end restaurants.
4) Hoping to put off setting up and taking down the artificial Xmas tree . This depends on DW's mood. If she wants it I'll lug it down from the attic.
5) Avoiding controversy in our discussions and I'm becoming more aware of the friction I cause by being too picky or fussy i.e. redirecting my analytical skills to my own interests. Hopefully maximizes happiness.
What are you doing to avoid the holiday blues?