Christmas List

I know you have one. The infamous Christmas list—and it’s on a count down! If you’re anything like me you’ve mumbled to yourself, “How am I going to get all of this done?” Then somehow, we seem to make it happen, and before you know it, you’re planning a time to take your tree down and packed up all the decorations.

But this year as you wrap up Christmas, stop and pause and ask yourself if you did the things that you really wanted to do.

Did you spend time with the people who matter most to you?

Were you present?

Did you enjoy the season?  

It’s not too late to put to practice what I call the Have to, Like to, Whatever list.

It’s what holds me and keeps me smiling and joyful through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

This is how it works…

I make a list of all the things I absolutely Have to do. For me it’s buying hubby gifts, planning and buying the food for Christmas breakfast, getting all the gifts wrapped, and number one, spending time with my family. As well my regular time with God, and also, church.

Then, I move on to my Like to list. For me it’s going to parties, spending time with my mom baking and writing out her Christmas cards—see last week’s post Christmas Tranquility HERE. Pulling out the Christmas tree and decorating it. (The tree is on hubby’s Have to list so, I usually don’t need to be concerned about it. This year he decorated the tree and house with all of our grandchildren, and they had a wonderful time. And I had a wonderful time watching them.) Also, I usually fly to Texas to spend some holiday time with my son and daughter-in-law and kids.

All of this makes my Whatever list longer and longer.

My Whatever list are actually things I would really love to do but know in reality I usually don’t have margin for it—and need to give myself permission to move it to the Whatever list.

Here are some of those things for me…pulling out the china for Christmas dinner. Oh, it’s so nice and pretty and I love it, but do I really have the energy for it after cooking? Some years, it’s a glowing YES! and others it’s not even a question. The point is I give myself permission to leave it on the Whatever list. Baking is also on this list along with Christmas cards. I love you, and I will most likely write it to you or say it in person, but a card may not be in the cards. I’d love to but…well, you know. The years I did them led to meltdowns and I like to leave meltdowns on my Not Again! list. The more I allow myself freedom with my Have to list the more it opens up my Like to and Whatever list.

How about you? What’s on your Have to, Like to, Whatever lists?

When I shared this concept with a husband, who’s also a dad, he said, “EVERTHING during this season is on my Whatever list.”

And I said, “Really? Getting a gift for your wife is on your Whatever list?”

We both laughed as he realized he too had a Have To list.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joy filled season as you spend time with the people who matter most, being present, and loving yourself and everyone around you.

Need a gift for the season? Check out books by Lucille Williams: Know someone who’s getting married? From Me to We would make the perfect gift. Want to give someone some fun laughs and a boost in their intimacy department? The Intimacy You Crave is a fun gift. Know a mom who could use some encouragement? Order a copy of The Impossible Kid.