Christmas in Ireland is steeped in tradition, from lights in the window, Midnight mass, festive gatherings, turkey and ham, sea swimming, holly boughs and wrapped presents. However, the season can also bring pressures such as expectations to overindulge, spend excessively, or navigate challenging family dynamics. Here are tips to help you embrace a meaningful Christmas that aligns with your needs and values.
Take time to consider what Christmas means to you. Whether it’s a time for connection, rest, or marking the end of the year, focus on the traditions and activities that bring you joy. Whether you enjoy decorating, cooking a favourite meal, or simply reflecting on the year gone by, choose what feels meaningful and let go of the rest.
Family gatherings can bring warmth but may also raise tensions. Set boundaries ahead of time: decide how long you’ll stay and what topics you’d prefer to avoid. If it feels overwhelming, it’s okay to opt out. Prioritise your well-being and, where possible, suggest neutral activities like a walk to keep interactions light and positive.
Alcohol often plays a central role in celebrations, but it’s important to drink with intention. Know your limits, and don’t feel pressured to keep pace with others. Mocktails or non-alcoholic options are perfectly valid choices. A simple, “I’m not drinking tonight,” can be empowering.
Gift-giving is a lovely tradition, but it can be stressful and costly. Set a budget, suggest Secret Santa, or focus on shared experiences rather than material gifts. Thoughtful gestures like a handmade card or a meaningful note often mean far more than expensive presents.
You don’t need to pack your schedule with constant socialising. If you need rest, allow yourself to take it. A quiet day reading, walking in nature, or watching a favourite movie can be fulfilling. If you’re alone, a video call or message to a friend can create an important sense of connection.
The holidays can be difficult, particularly for those grieving a loved one or reflecting on a tough year. Allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment. Small acts of gratitude, like appreciating a warm meal or a quiet moment, can provide comfort. If you’re struggling, reach out to someone you trust or contact a professional for support.
Christmas doesn’t have to follow a rigid plan. If things don’t go as expected, adapt and let go of perfection. Traditions can evolve! Start new ones that suit your current needs or modify old ones to bring you joy.
Giving to others can add a deeper sense of purpose to the season. Volunteer locally, donate to a cause, or help a neighbour in need. Simple acts of kindness like leaving a note or buying someone a coffee can spread joy and help you feel connected.
If the season feels overwhelming, step outside. A walk in the fresh air, a quiet moment in nature, or bringing greenery indoors can reset your mind and create a calming festive atmosphere.
Set a clear budget and stick to it. Avoid last-minute spending or overcommitting to events with added costs. Be honest about your limits – Christmas is about meaningful moments, not excessive spending.
Take time to celebrate the wins, big or small, from the year gone by. Acknowledge your challenges, and set intentions for the year ahead that align with what matters most to you.
Christmas doesn’t need to look a certain way to be meaningful. By focusing on what aligns with your values, setting boundaries, and taking care of your mental health, you can create a celebration that feels authentic and joyful. Whether it’s spent with family, in quiet reflection, or giving back to your community, the best Christmas is one that nourishes and uplifts you!
I am amused when someone asks, ‘Caroline, what are your plans for Christmas?” in September. We spend so long arranging Christmas, and it’s over in the blink of an eye! We look forward to the new year, our annual fresh start…yet months fly past so quickly, and here we are again at Christmas and New Year.
Christmas comes and goes. Take time to chill and relax despite the festive busyness. Amidst the clinking of glasses, vegetable peeling, cream whipping or the chorus of carols, find time to breathe deeply and ground yourself in the present moment. Take off your socks and walk on grass or sand and feel the sea on your feet. You can only be in the moment when the sea’s on your skin!
Christmas does not have to be centred around spending money. Embrace the joy of giving/receiving homemade gifts, knowing that the love infused in them outweighs shop-purchased products. Give something you’ve lovingly made, baked, or created, e.g., a card, cake, painting, or a Spotify playlist.
The list of homemade presents you can lovingly create and gift is endless. Send loving kindness and thoughts of health and vitality to people you haven’t seen in a while – post a card, email, or phone and arrange to reconnect (while you have the chance).
After Christmas, when the decorations and the house are cleared and your guests have departed, sit with the silence, and let gratitude fill the space where laughter and conversations recently lingered.
Make time to pause, rest, and reflect. Post-Christmas days allow the potential for personal insight. If you’re feeling sad or feeling lonely, it signifies the wonderful time you’ve had or post-holiday melancholy.Take comfort in knowing you’ve enjoyed yourself.
Take time to acknowledge 2023. Make space for introspection and prepare for what lies ahead in 2024. Journal about the learning and events of 2023, parts of which you’ll wish to bring into 2024, some of which perhaps you’d rather forget.
January is about taking baby steps in the right direction towards achieving your objectives. Make time for calm and reflection at the end of the year, and rather than resolutions, write your intentions for 2024. How do you hope to feel, or what would you like to achieve? It might be to play the ukulele, learn a language, or understand Quantum Physics. Write the plan for achieving your intentions and your mental, physical, and emotional wellness practices in 2024. Write about how you will feel when you achieve your dreams/goals/intentions.
Choose one habit you wish to cultivate and link it to an existing routine for better adherence. You might decide that relaxation will become part of your 2024 daily routine. Every time you enter the kitchen, inhale as slowly and deeply as you can through your nose. Hold that breath for a few seconds before exhaling slowly through your mouth – your new relaxation habit has officially begun!
This holiday season, may you find a balance between celebration and solitude, action and reflection.
Wishing you a season of serenity and a new year of living with intention.
www.carolinecrotty.ie
This Christmas will come and go. Take time to rest and relax despite the festive busyness. Amidst the clinking of glasses, vegetable peeling, cream whipping or the chorus of carols, try to make the time to breathe deeply and ground yourself in the present moment. Take off your socks, walk on grass or travel to the beach, walk barefoot on the sand and feel the sea on your feet. You can only be in the present moment when the Irish sea is on your skin!
Christmas does not have to be centred around spending money. Embrace the joy of giving and receiving homemade gifts – the love infused in them outweighs shop-purchased products. Give something you have lovingly made, baked, or created, e.g., a card or cake, a painting, or a Spotify playlist. The list of homemade presents you can create and gift is endless. Send loving kindness and thoughts of health and vitality to people you may not have seen in a while – why not post a card, email, or phone and arrange to reconnect (while you have the chance).
After Christmas, when the decorations and the house are cleared and your guests have departed, sit with the silence and let gratitude fill the space where laughter and conversations recently lingered. Make time to pause, rest, and reflect. Post-Christmas days allow the potential for personal insight. If you’re feeling sad or lonely, it can signify the wonderful time you’ve had or ‘post-holiday melancholy’. Take comfort in knowing you’ve enjoyed yourself.
If Christmas is lonely, which it is for many, remind yourself that you’re allowed to feel however you feel. Then do something that helps you improve your mood. Perhaps you might arrange to go somewhere new for a change of scenery. Rest assured that Christmas will be finished in a day so you might light a candle for people you miss, for those who cannot be with you at Christmas. Keep them in mind and reminisce on the lovely times you’ve had together (which is why you miss them).
Take time to acknowledge 2023. Make space for introspection and prepare for what lies ahead in 2024. Journal about the learning and events of 2023, parts of which you can bring into 2024, some of which perhaps you’d rather forget.
Make time for calm and reflection at the end of the year, and rather than resolutions, write your intentions for 2024. January is about taking baby steps in the right direction towards achieving your objectives for the future. How do you hope to feel, or what would you like to achieve? It might be to play the ukulele, learn a language, or understand Quantum Physics. Write the plan for achieving your intentions and mental, physical, and emotional wellness practices in 2024. Write about how you will feel when you achieve your dreams/goals/intentions.
Choose one habit you wish to cultivate in the new year and link it to an existing routine for better adherence. You might decide that relaxation will become part of your 2024 daily routine. Every time you enter the kitchen, inhale as slowly and deeply as you can through your nose. Hold that breath for a few seconds before exhaling slowly through your mouth – your relaxation habit has begun!
May you find a balance between celebration and solitude, action and reflection.
Here’s wishing you a season of serenity and a new year of living with intention.
Christmas is almost here! Some of us will be thrilled with this and some of us, less so. Christmas can be a time of great joy or huge stress (or both)! Christmas can be a difficult time, particularly when it is the first Christmas without a loved one or when there has been a change to the family composition. Every first is tough following a life change so aim to do things at your own pace and remember to be kind to you.
Here are some “dos and don’ts” for Christmas 2018.
Don’t overdo it and exhaust yourself – remember to make time for breaks, rest and relaxation.
Don’t try to do everything yourself – delegate and ask for help.
Don’t rush. Slow down; taste, smell, enjoy and savour every moment.
Don’t assume everyone shares your expectations for Christmas. Respect that others may not have the same plans or traditions (‘each to their own’).
Don’t drink too much alcohol. Enjoy moderation. Same goes for food – a little of what you fancy does you good.
Don’t react. When something is upsetting you, bite your tongue and come back to chat about it when you are in control.
Don’t get into debt because of Christmas. Spend within your budget. Santa loves bringing one present to each child, perhaps with a surprise!
Don’t get too distracted during the holidays by fussing, tidying, cooking etc. Be present for your loved ones.
Don’t hold grudges. People make mistakes. Forgive easily so you can enjoy Christmas in each other’s company.
Don’t stress about Christmas. It will come and go but what memories will you have?
Don’t argue with family, friends or with anyone – it’s not necessary. Discussion and debate are fine.
Don’t take things too seriously – have fun, laugh, play, smile.
Don’t expect perfection. It is not attainable. Good enough is good enough.
Do take responsibility. Whatever you do or say and how you behave – these are all within your control and are your responsibility. You are an adult, be accountable for your actions.
Do engage in activities that you enjoy with people who are easy to be with.
Do say you are sorry when you get something wrong. Own up. Apologise readily, especially to your children.
Do pay attention to your feelings. If you are not in great form, ask yourself what you can do to improve your mood and act.
Do try to disconnect as much as possible from technology and reconnect with friends and family.
Do write three things every day for which you are grateful. Count your blessings, not your problems.
Do ensure you get enough physical exercise to help you remain calm particularly at what you know will be potentially stressful times.
Do remember that although it takes two people to argue it only takes one to stop. If you are right about something, there is no need to prove someone else wrong.
Do face each day with a positive outlook. Look for the things that are right and good.
Do speak positively about and to others.
Do something today and every day this December for which your future self will thank you!
Every best wish for Christmas and beyond xxx
www.carolinecrotty.ie
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