Like everyone, I'm getting really excited about Christmas. Usually we visit my parents and brother in Warsaw, Poland so that I can stop being so homesick, but due to many reasons, we decided to stay in the Netherlands this year. When my husband and I were still dating, I would fly to Germany for Christmas, but Christmas Eve is so important and special in Poland and I didn't want to miss all the wonderful meals that go with it. We soon decided that we would spend Christmas Eve and Christmas in Poland and go to Germany for New Year's.
We kept doing this even after we moved to the Netherlands, taking first one child, then two, then three to Poland. But last year, my son became really sick and had to go the hospital for a few days. It was so stressful that we decided to put our traveling plans on hold for a while and this year will be the first year my parents and brother will spend Christmas at our place in the Netherlands. While I am sad I cannot go to Poland this year, I can't wait to see my extended family.
I know that for many people, Christmas can be a stressful time, full of planning, preparations and trying to make everyone happy. My family figured out a great way to have a simpler, but no less joyful Christmas- and here's how we do it.
1. Simplify and adapt
It it always a good idea to think which traditions to keep and which to get rid of. If you don't like cooking 2546 dishes or feel it's too much work, consider letting go of it. The Polish Christmas dinner is an elaborate affair, and for a while we even tried to make at least some of the dishes, but the truth is that noon ate that. We decided to make less food and focus on the meals everyone likes eating and so far, everyone is happy as long as we have borscht and uszka (mushroom dumplings). So, focus on the traditions you really like, but don't do them because it's a tradition. When asked for presents, we usually say we want books, clothes or something useful, like car seats. Sometimes, quality and practicality goes over quantity!
Read the full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/olga-mecking/5-tips-for-a-peaceful-family-christmas_b_6355078.html
Related Article: Dealing with dementia this Christmas: five tips for families
We kept doing this even after we moved to the Netherlands, taking first one child, then two, then three to Poland. But last year, my son became really sick and had to go the hospital for a few days. It was so stressful that we decided to put our traveling plans on hold for a while and this year will be the first year my parents and brother will spend Christmas at our place in the Netherlands. While I am sad I cannot go to Poland this year, I can't wait to see my extended family.
I know that for many people, Christmas can be a stressful time, full of planning, preparations and trying to make everyone happy. My family figured out a great way to have a simpler, but no less joyful Christmas- and here's how we do it.
1. Simplify and adapt
It it always a good idea to think which traditions to keep and which to get rid of. If you don't like cooking 2546 dishes or feel it's too much work, consider letting go of it. The Polish Christmas dinner is an elaborate affair, and for a while we even tried to make at least some of the dishes, but the truth is that noon ate that. We decided to make less food and focus on the meals everyone likes eating and so far, everyone is happy as long as we have borscht and uszka (mushroom dumplings). So, focus on the traditions you really like, but don't do them because it's a tradition. When asked for presents, we usually say we want books, clothes or something useful, like car seats. Sometimes, quality and practicality goes over quantity!
Read the full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/olga-mecking/5-tips-for-a-peaceful-family-christmas_b_6355078.html
Related Article: Dealing with dementia this Christmas: five tips for families
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