Planning for the Holidays

This year, I’m looking forward to the holidays. What’s ahead? I don’t know, and I’ve learned not to plan too far ahead. It can be difficult to plan around me, and those closest to me understand this.

Others might struggle with their own health, but I’ve learned to go with the flow. I can comfort and care for them when they’re here, and some can’t understand why I don’t get stressed out. I tell them that stress affects my health, so I choose not to go there.

I’ll take things in stride, and it’s up to each person to decide how they react and feel. That mindset has been a long time coming, but I’m still a work in progress.

Holiday plans and family visits

My oldest daughter plans to visit from Tampa in January, and hopefully, my son and his family will come from Orlando, too. It’s so exciting. My niece is also getting married a few hundred miles away, but sadly, I won’t be able to go. My kids will represent our family by being there, which makes their visit even more special.

It’s likely that Christmas Eve and Day will just be my husband and me. We’re fine with that. I told one person that it’s okay, and there will always be good after-Christmas sales to take advantage of for some online shopping. Everyone loves a sale!

How about you? Do you have anything planned? How do you manage?

Managing holiday preparations and self-care

Taking care of yourself is most important. Backup plans are helpful for any occasion, especially when meals or get-togethers involve more than a few people. I try to plan ahead, and my husband would probably say, “Sure, you haven’t done that yet!”

Together, we work out a meal plan and assign dishes. I often feel like I’m letting everyone down because I get worn out easily, especially because of allergies.

I also do egg-free baking, which is not only great for me but also my vegan daughter. Light foods for dieters are also important—things that won’t cause bloating or trigger coughing spells.

I love to bake but try not to do it too often. Once I see or smell it, I can’t resist eating. I also need to focus on the obesity site to help with my weight loss. I plan to bake some items that can be frozen or even gifted. Jello salads are always a hit, and everyone has their favorite versions, along with desserts.

This year, I’ll be making some gifts and buying others. I’m excited to find things that are locally made in South Dakota. I love homemade items and try to encourage others to create them, too.

These are just my initial thoughts, and now I can start putting a plan together. I’ll have more time to do it, and I know my body can only do so much before fatigue or pain takes over. I used to be more organized, and my mind worked better, too, including my breathing.

Rest and recovery are important

It’s important to stop and regroup periodically. Rest is healthy. Is it time for medications or nebulizer treatments? I like to relax and elevate my feet over my heart. When I’m worn out, I enjoy working on puzzles or games. Even though I take Furosemide, my feet and legs still swell, so I wrap them when necessary.

I keep a list for each family member, including their age and birthdate. I make notes on their wish lists and ideas for gifts. Having a master list helps me stay organized, and I love looking back on the pictures and notes I take. I really miss it when I don’t keep track, but there’s no point in getting upset about things that can’t be changed.

Before bed, I start a box for next year’s holiday season and begin a notebook with lists and notes for the upcoming holidays. I like to start early, especially when crafting or making photo gifts.

As you prepare for the holidays, create a list for you, your family, and friends. Take note of your meal plans and appetizers, including preparation times. Document any additional thoughts and take pictures to share with others. You might even want to email them a copy.

Allow yourself a couple of days to rest after the celebrations. Even if you weren’t too busy, a day or two of downtime can help recharge your energy.

Do some stretching to revitalize yourself. Planning ahead and being able to adapt to changes is important for maintaining your health.

My hope for you and your loved ones is that you can enjoy the holidays and the company of those around you.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!