Page 144 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2022

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TIME FOR THE
story by Holly Harrison and Shannon Stage
Time is a funny thing. It seems to pass by us at a rate
directly related to our age. The older we get, the quicker time flies. But there is an upside to getting to a certain age and understanding how precious time is and how important it is to spend it in a way that brings us joy and joy to those we share it with.
This year has gone by particularly fast – it’s already November and the year’s two biggest holidays are already upon us. It is the perfect time to think about how we want to spend the next few weeks preparing to celebrate with family and friends.
Every year lists are made to cover the holidays basics: food, gifts, and decorations. These lists are almost always the same because there’s a routine to how we do Thanksgiving and Christmas and everyone in the family tribe knows it. From who hosts what meal, to what will be on the menu itself, how the house will look, there’s a pattern that is followed. It comforts us to know what to expect, right down to who in the family will do the unexpected. We look forward to the traditions we’ve grown to love and there’s something heartwarming about belonging to this group of mismatched relatives that have less in common the other 363 days of the year!
We appreciate family traditions, all of it, we really do. But perhaps it is time to simplify the holidays just a little bit. If the
past three years have taught us nothing else, they have surely made us all rethink what is important. We think it’s time to be less busy and less fussy over the holidays and lean into the adage that less really is more. Trim down the holiday menus, shorten the gift list, and leave some of the decorations in the attic. Give yourself more time to savor the meaning of the season.
The holiday feasts don’t need to be magazine-worthy buffets. The hosts might need to hand out recipes or change up the menus altogether. Invite others to contribute their favorite dishes and ask the family grill master to BBQ. Spend less time fretting over the details of the meals and more time looking forward to the catch-up conversations you are going to have. Start saving plastic containers now so everyone goes home with a taste of another successful family gathering.
When it comes to gift giving, think outside of the box. Shopping for others shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should be enjoyable to think about what someone special might appreciate. Share a lunch date, or a trip to the movies, or a beach picnic. Giving someone an experience is two gifts in one – one for you
144 | November 2022 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Holidays