Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year Summary

Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year

A little book of festive joy
by Beth Kempton • 2019 • 240 pages
4.08
1.3K ratings
Christmas Self Help Holiday
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Key Takeaways

1. Embrace the Five Stories of Christmas to Discover Your Ideal Celebration

Christmas is at once almost universally recognized and intensely individual.

The Five Stories of Christmas help us understand our personal connections to the holiday:

  1. The Story of Faith: Religious aspects and spiritual traditions
  2. The Story of Magic: Santa Claus, reindeer, and childhood wonder
  3. The Story of Connection: Gatherings, feasts, and shared experiences
  4. The Story of Abundance: Gift-giving, decorations, and commercial aspects
  5. The Story of Heritage: Family traditions and cultural customs

By identifying which stories resonate most with you, you can create a Christmas celebration that aligns with your values and brings you joy. Use the Christmas Constellation exercise to plot your connection to each story and compare with loved ones to find common ground and understanding.

2. Plan a Calm Christmas by Setting Intentions and Boundaries

Simplicity, generosity, delight, and belonging are the true touchstones of festive joy.

Set clear intentions for your ideal Christmas experience:

  • Reflect on what kind of celebration would be most nourishing given your current circumstances
  • Consider how you want to feel at the end of the holiday season
  • Establish boundaries to help achieve your desired experience

Practical planning tips:

  • Create a budget and stick to it
  • Reduce unnecessary gift-giving obligations
  • Simplify gatherings and spread out social events
  • Delegate tasks and ask for help when needed
  • Leave room for spontaneity and quiet moments

By thoughtfully planning and setting boundaries, you can create a calmer, more enjoyable Christmas that aligns with your values and energy levels.

3. Nourish Mind, Body, and Spirit During Winter's Natural Rhythms

Winter is surprisingly kind in many ways, but mostly because it expects so little of us.

Align with nature's rhythms to nurture yourself during the winter season:

  • Recognize the natural tendency to slow down and rest
  • Create cozy spaces for relaxation and reflection
  • Engage in gentle, nourishing activities

Winter wellness practices:

  • Take brisk walks in nature to invigorate body and mind
  • Prepare warming, nutritious meals with seasonal ingredients
  • Practice mindfulness through meditation or journaling
  • Maintain sleep routines and prioritize rest
  • Engage in creative pursuits or hobbies that bring joy

By honoring winter's invitation to slow down and turn inward, you can emerge from the season feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, rather than depleted and stressed.

4. Practice Mindful Gifting and Gathering for Meaningful Connections

When we give with genuine generosity and compassion, we generate joy for the recipient and ourselves.

Mindful gifting focuses on three key questions:

  1. Is it mindful? (Considerate of the recipient's circumstances and preferences)
  2. Is it meaningful? (Strengthens your bond or enhances their life)
  3. Is it memorable? (Unique, surprising, or connected to shared experiences)

Tips for meaningful gatherings:

  • Create sacred time for one-on-one connections with loved ones
  • Share the load of hosting and meal preparation
  • Establish a quiet corner for moments of respite
  • Plan activities that encourage connection and shared experiences
  • Be flexible and let go of perfection

By approaching gift-giving and gatherings with intention and care, you can create lasting memories and deepen relationships during the holiday season.

5. Honor Melancholy and Create Space for Joy Amidst Holiday Challenges

We cannot know the precise nature of someone else's emotional experience at this time of year—the shadow of loss, the beating heart of sorrow, the searing pain of loneliness, the dull ache of wishing things were different—but we can be mindful of what it might feel like, based on our own experience, careful observation, and empathy.

Acknowledge and support those experiencing difficulties during the holidays:

  • Recognize that loneliness, grief, and sadness are common experiences
  • Offer compassion and understanding to yourself and others
  • Create space for both melancholy and joy

Strategies for coping and supporting others:

  • Reach out to friends and family, even with small gestures
  • Practice self-care through nutrition, exercise, and rest
  • Volunteer or engage in acts of kindness
  • Adjust expectations and traditions as needed
  • Seek professional support if struggling with intense emotions

By honoring the full range of emotions that arise during the holiday season, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate celebration that allows for both joy and reflection.

6. Savor the "Hush" Between Christmas and New Year for Reflection

The Hush is a precious time. We face so much change in the course of an average year, in the wider world and in our own lives.

Embrace the quiet period between Christmas and New Year's Day:

  • Use this time for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation
  • Create space for processing the events of the past year
  • Allow yourself to dream and plan for the future

Ideas for savoring the Hush:

  • Take a day in nature to reconnect with the natural world
  • Engage in a digital detox to reduce stimulation
  • Spend time journaling or creative pursuits
  • Declutter your physical space to create mental clarity
  • Connect with loved ones in low-key, relaxed settings

By intentionally using this unique time of year, you can set the stage for a more mindful and purposeful transition into the New Year.

7. Envision Your Future with Gentle New Year Planning

Dream, scheme, and ease yourself in. Assess the amount of energy you have for the coming year, and pledge to remain open to new ideas.

Approach New Year planning with gentleness and flexibility:

  • Avoid the pressure to completely reinvent yourself
  • Focus on gradual, meaningful change aligned with your values
  • Allow time for ideas to percolate and evolve

Steps for gentle visioning:

  1. Acknowledge your dreams and aspirations
  2. Identify your current position in the Dream Development Process
  3. Set loose plans that align with your natural rhythms and energy levels
  4. Create nourishing rituals rather than rigid resolutions
  5. Revisit and adjust your plans as the year progresses

By taking a more organic approach to New Year planning, you can create sustainable change and growth that honors your unique needs and circumstances.

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