Make the 23 days until Christmas happy ones

Mental Matters
By Dr. Jennifer Goble

I experienced a twinge of anxiety when I wrote the title for this article – 23 days until Christmas.

Dec. 25 should, would, and/or could be the joy of preparation, the process, the anticipation of the greatest day of the year. Unfortunately, Christmas day is often a day of, “Don’t ask me to do one thing! I am exhausted!”

When I was a kid, Christmas Eve was stressful.

Mother would have this amazing feast prepared, a house full of guests, and we were not allowed to open presents until dinner was over and dishes were done.

We waited for my dad to get home from the annual VFW egg-nog party. Dinner became cold, Mother became colder, and the kids grew louder.

Christmas morning was more fun. My sisters and I were excited as we ran to the living room to see what Santa left. He knew exactly what we liked because he always filled our stockings with nuts, orange candy slices, chocolate bonbons, and a real orange.

I remember the Christmas when Santa left me and my four sisters each a bride doll. One sister recently confessed a clear memory of the morning. She swapped her doll with one intended for our older sister. She said, “It was bigger and prettier.” When she went bouncing into our parents’ room to show them her doll, they were, to say the least, surprised.

After the excitement of the Santa gifts, my parents discussed, loudly, the topic of whether we would go to his family’s house for Christmas dinner, or to hers.

Looking back, I wonder why they didn’t discuss the topic before it was time to leave the house. It was very stressful for this little girl.

I share this personal story to emphasize how one remembers emotional events, good or bad

We have 23 days to plan a pleasant, joyful, Jesus kind of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

We can choose activities and behavior creating warm fuzzy feelings instead of anxiety.

Kids might remember a few gifts they receive, but they will certainly retain memories of what is stressful or genuinely loving.

Plan the next 23 days with your end goal in mind. Don’t miss your opportunity to enhance the memories of those you love.

Until the next time: Live while you live!

(Jennifer Goble, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Coun-selor. Check out her book, My Clients…My Teachers and her weekly blog at www.jennifergoble.com.)

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