Slow down Santa!
It's time to be thankful.
Welcome to a new week!
If you’re reading this on the day it was published, there are only 42 days left in this year. Can you believe it? I’ve just barely started to adjust to the time change that took place a few weeks ago. It seems a little surreal that Thanksgiving is just days away.
Are you ready for the holidays? Whether or not we are ready - here they come!
Welcome to The LIFT
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CHANGING TRADITIONS
For 20 years, my husband + I hosted a neighborhood golf tournament on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year is the first year we will not be hosting the tournament.
Even though the tournament was a big project that consumed our Thanksgiving weekends all of those years, I often joked that it saved us a bunch of money because I ALWAYS missed all of the Black Friday sales. For two decades, that Friday was dedicated to last-minute preparations for the big tournament. No time for shopping.
These days, Black Friday is no longer just one day. It starts early + lasts for weeks! So, golf tournament or no golf tournament, there are plenty of deals to be had.
Since the deals start so early now, even with the tournament going on, we would make sure to have our holiday lists ready so we could knock out most of our shopping before Thanksgiving + take advantage of the deals.
This year, I’m feeling a little behind because I’m not prepared at all. Not sure what my excuse is given I have no golf tournament to prepare for.
Obviously, there’s still plenty of time for holiday shopping, but it’s time to get with the program + get prepared.
GRATITUDE FIRST
We definitely see a trend in the blurring of holidays. Everything starts so early that by the time it actually happens, we are already onto the next one.
Thanksgiving always seems to fly under the radar in our culture. Beyond the standard food staples - there’s really nothing to sell. So, it feels like we move quickly from Halloween to Christmas.
We live right next to an outdoor mall in San Diego so we get an up-close look at how quickly these transitions take place. The day after Halloween, all of the stores had their holiday decor up. I was amazed at how quickly they turned it over. Overnight!
Last week, the mall started installing an elaborate “Peppermint Beach Club” where Santa will be spending his vacation time leading up to Christmas.
They have decorated the center plaza with red + white umbrellas, peppermint candy tabletops + a DJ clubhouse for Santa.
It’s all fun. I love the festiveness. But, I think we have to be really intentional about not getting swept up in the speed of it all. The pressure.
There’s a reason why Thanksgiving happens before Christmas. The spirit of giving comes from gratitude. If we don’t take time to be grateful, to fill ourselves with gratitude, then gifting isn’t really giving at all. It’s just going through the motions - which, of course, steals the joy of giving.
THOUGHTFUL GIVING
We always had fun with Christmas shopping at our house. We loved creating the magic of Santa for our girls. Showering them with gifts + watching their faces light up with delight.
Now that everyone is living on their own, it’s different.
We don’t want to add to waste + we tend to be more practical with our gifting. But, that can get boring. Our girls pretty much know what they are getting because they are the ones who gave us the list. Where’s the magic in that?
I always admire those who do their holiday shopping throughout the year. They see the perfect thing + store it away until Christmas. That’s a skill I’d like to work on in the years ahead.
For now, I’m just working on slowing things down, soaking things up + sorting things out. Bringing a little more presence to the presents.
And, of course, trying to get some good deals along the way.
YOUR MISSION:
This week, I challenge you to slow down + really cherish Thanksgiving for what it’s meant to be - a time of gratitude. Let it fill your heart with gratefulness so you can overflow with generosity in the season ahead.
GIFT IDEAS:
If you’re looking for some thoughtful + festive gift ideas, please consider doing a little shopping at my Beautycounter store - especially this week during the Black Friday deals.
I’ll share a few favorites below. If you shop using my links here, I will earn a small (and very appreciated) commission.
Teens/Tweens: Some clean makeup options
Teachers, Girlfriends, Co-workers, Hosts: Break up these sets to make smaller gifts or bundles
Stocking Stuffers or Great to Pair with Gift Cards: Simple, festive & cheerful
Hard to Gift: Something special
Take advantage of their site-wide Black Friday savings now through Nov. 25.
**Everything from Beautycounter meets the highest standards for safety + efficacy + they have a full 60-day return policy. If you need help with an order or have questions, just reach out to me. I have gift certificates, too! Happy to help!
IN SUMMARY:
I hope you will take some time this week to slow down + really feel the gratitude. And, if I can help you with your gifting + saving some money this week, you know where to find me!
Thanks for being here.
You can learn more about me + my work on my website or follow along with me on Instagram @itMayBeMenopause.
See you next week?
Meanwhile - you can read thru the archives here. And, please reach out to me anytime!
Email: karen@itmaybemenopause.com
Instagram: @itmaybemenopause