| Christmas is a time of joy and family | | | | Don't go it alone, Mom. Spread the joy of holiday |
| togetherness. It is also a time of stress for a lot | | | | preparations to your children, your brothers and |
| of moms out there. | | | | sisters, nieces and nephews, parents, in-laws, |
| Parties to plan, shopping to do, presents to wrap, | | | | everyone. The smallest tot can bring napkins to |
| cooking, baking, visiting, decorating ... and trying to | | | | the table while older kids decorate tree and home, |
| do it all with the good cheer the season deserves. | | | | and the cheerful voices of your family in the |
| And all too often it's all up to Mom to get it done. | | | | kitchen as they stir and sample and set up will |
| Make sure all the gifts have been gotten, the | | | | free you to admire how well everything comes |
| cards signed and stamped, the batches of cookies | | | | together. |
| marked nuts, no nuts, no chocolate for those | | | | 4. The greatest presents are fond memories. |
| who must be careful with their holiday treats. | | | | Going crazy hunting for the perfect gift might |
| It is too easy to get caught up in the duties of | | | | only lead to disappointment when it turns out to |
| the holiday and for Mom to forget the little things, | | | | not be so perfect after all. With everyone |
| the truly important things, about Christmas. So, | | | | together and enjoying the Christmas spirit, the |
| from one busy Mom to another, here are some | | | | greatest gift is already there. |
| ideas to help us all get through this holiday with | | | | Grab the camera and the photo album, Mom. |
| good cheer and great memories. | | | | Have different people taking pictures as you all |
| 1. Christmas is about the joy of a promise kept. | | | | enjoy looking at past Christmas joys and other |
| Not about shopping, or wrapping paper, or festive | | | | family treasures. Tell the stories that make the |
| tins to nestle home-made goodies into. It's the joy | | | | older folks laugh and the younger kids stare in |
| of that quiet moment in the night when a Savior | | | | amazement. Share your favorite holiday |
| was born, and all the world paused in peace and | | | | memories as you create a new one to share |
| wonder. | | | | next year. |
| Take a moment for yourself, Mom, to relive that | | | | Remember: |
| miracle and appreciate all it has brought into your | | | | It's not about the shopping, the presents, the |
| life. Take that moment to know that the tree, | | | | paper, the food. It's about a promise kept on a |
| the presents, the food, could all be swept away in | | | | cold winter night and the warmth of a happy |
| a moment, but in the circle of your family, the | | | | family brought together to celebrate. |
| joy of Christmas is in your love for one another. | | | | "Perfect" is impossible - but wonderful is easy if |
| 2. A happy holiday is one shared with a happy | | | | you can let go of the idea of perfect. And when |
| family. Perfection exists only in the magazines and | | | | everything is wonderful, your happy family will |
| on television. In reality, the cookies might burn, | | | | declare you have given them the perfect |
| the goose get dried out, the green bean casserole | | | | Christmas anyway! |
| be forgotten. | | | | And, finally, remember most of all: |
| Let some stuff go, Mom. Forget perfectly folded | | | | After it is all over, and the mess of paper is |
| napkins on the table and silver-bell charms on the | | | | shin-deep on the floor and the dirty dishes are |
| wineglasses. Simplify your goal for the holiday | | | | stacked high in the sink, when everyone has gone |
| meal so that you too can enjoy the pleasures of | | | | home and the kids are asleep, and it is just you, |
| the season, instead of worrying and working to | | | | Mom, and the aftermath of the get-together ... |
| try to make everything "perfect." | | | | It was a single, small moment in a cold winter's |
| 3. Christmas means togetherness. Our close | | | | night that started it all. There was a mess on the |
| family, our extended families, we all gather | | | | floor and work waiting to be done then too. But |
| together to celebrate another year of being | | | | none of that was important because of the tiny |
| family and sharing love as love was shared with | | | | miracle of a promise kept. |
| us so long ago. | | | | |