Easy 2 Send Cards - SendOutCards / Promptings Affiliate #11217’s Post

A Difficult Time at Christmas - a timely reminder. I spoke to a client today who, along with his wife, has made the tough decision to separate. They’ve decided to wait until after Christmas to start mediation because they want to try to give their three teenage children a good Christmas first. It struck me how much care and thought they’re putting into this, even while going through such a difficult time themselves. Christmas is such a pressure cooker, isn’t it? Even under normal circumstances, the expectation to create the “perfect Christmas” can weigh heavily on families. When you add something as life-changing as a separation into the mix, it’s almost overwhelming. There’s this idea that everything has to look and feel magical – the decorations just so, the family gathered around laughing, presents under the tree – but life isn’t a Christmas card. For this family, that pressure to keep things calm and joyful while knowing what’s on the horizon must be immense. Trying to shield their teenagers, who are probably already sensing that something isn’t quite right, can’t be easy either. And then there’s the personal side – having to push down their own feelings to focus on making Christmas “normal” for everyone else. It’s a reminder that the quest for a “perfect Christmas” can actually take away from what really matters. The truth is, Christmas doesn’t have to be flawless to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s about small, honest moments – sitting together, sharing a meal, or just showing love and understanding – even when things aren’t ideal. For anyone feeling that pressure this year, remember: it’s okay if things don’t look perfect. #mediation #preparation #itsokaynottobeokay

I don't celebrate Christmas by choice. Christmas has never been a joyful time in my family. I have no objections to people who celebrate Christmas, feeling happy, decorating their houses and spending this time with people close to them. But please just because it is the time of the year you can’t get enough of, and for some, the only time when they can meet with the whole family, don't put this expectation on me and others around you. There are plenty of people who find Christmas difficult. Let them get through this time the way they want and need to. Even though you may not understand it because your experience was completely different, try to show understanding and compassion. This is especially difficult when you're working in office. The unspoken expectation of being happy and merry. Participation in decorating the office and taking part in Christmas activities such as Christmas jumpers, exchanging Christmas cards, and playing Secret Santa. I don't hide the fact I don't celebrate Christmas. In return, I get pity or people simply get frustrated with me for not fulfilling their expectations of what we should be doing at this time of the year. Rarely, do I get a chance to talk to someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas by choice too and we can have a decent and normal conversation about it. Last week one of my work colleagues called me disgusting because I didn’t want to buy Christmas decorations for the office. I think she simply got frustrated when she couldn't talked me into doing something she was expecting me to do. Here's the thing, people can spend Christmas time how they want to. It doesn’t give you the right to shame and call them names just because you don't approve.   You don't need to invite me to the Christmas dinner only because you found out I'm spending Christmas alone. Especially if we are not close. I don't expect you to invite me over and believe me the closer it gets to Christmas the more you are going to regret you said this. People can find Christmas difficult. Don’t make it worse. After all, Christmas is all about love, acceptance, kindness and compassion, right? We don’t owe you an explanation, life story or apology. Happy Holiday to all. #Christmas #Celebration #DoItYourWay

It’s that time of year again…. The countdown to the holiday season has begun and we all start preparing for the festivities with a mixture of anticipation and dread. One tradition lingers on – the Christmas card.  While many of us would be overjoyed not to participate in this annual 'ritual' as soon as that first card arrives on the doorstep feelings of guilt emerge and we resign ourselves to playing along for ‘one more year’. Rather than resenting the exercise I’ve come to realise this is something to be embraced – and not for the opportunity to send a boastful newsletter, but for the opportunity to update my contacts. Most mobile devices have a contacts section that allows storage of so much more than just a name and address: -              Being a visual person, I find a photo an invaluable ‘aide memoire’ -              A date of birth, anniversary or other special occasion creates the perfect reason to send an (electronic) card – I’ve been amazed just how much people appreciate these simple gestures -              The Notes section is a great place to store bullet points from an ongoing discussion - ask any dentist! -              On a sad note – an up to date Christmas card list is a valuable starting place if you are organising a funeral   -              Links within your mobile device can also add value: o   Call up Maps and you can find directions o   Create a Calendar event and contact details are added automatically -              Managing contacts – maybe its time to end a relationship?  If you haven’t been in contact with people you really like for over a year, maybe its time you are! Ho Hum! 

My reasons I often put my Christmas tree up early (and why I don’t care what anyone says!) 🎄 I look forward to decorating a tree all year round, it’s a creative outlet. 🎄 The nights are dark and it makes the room glow with coziness. 🎄 As a young widow I struggle with Christmas so confronting it head on and embracing it can help. 🎄 I take my tree down early so house is clear and tidy to see in the new year. 🎄 Knowing I have to do it can be daunting at times so it’s a ‘big job’ to get ticked off the list and I can relax and try to enjoy the season. While I understand people can have very strong views on putting decorations up early, we never know what people are dealing with... ..Perhaps a relative may not make it to Christmas. ..Perhaps someone is struggling with burnout or depression, or chronic illness, and they have to jump onto doing it ‘on a good day’ or they don’t know when it’ll happen. ..Perhaps someone is missing a loved one and the comforting glow of fairy lights feels like a gentle hug from them. 🙋♀️ ..Perhaps someone is due to go into hospital for an operation or to give birth so doesn’t have as long to enjoy the decorations or physically can’t manage it in a couple of weeks time. Christmas is a tradition that means different things to different people. If you celebrate it as a religious festival then that’s fine. Likewise, if you’re not religious and you celebrate it as a traditional festival, also fine. Telling people they can’t have decorations up due to a number on a calendar doesn’t feel very ‘spirit of Christmas’ to me. Spreading joy, does ❤️ If you want to jazz up your home with Christmas decorations this weekend then go ahead! After all, a month tomorrow is Christmas Eve. 🎄 🎁 🎅 Photo: Jay and Logan Christmas 2019. Jay’s last Christmas. 🌻

Christmas is the season of giving, but have you ever stopped to think about how your partner feels most loved? Gary Chapman’s classic book ‘The Five Love Languages’ is a game-changer for understanding relationships and it’s never more relevant than during the festive season. Chapman explains that we each have a primary way of feeling loved, whether it’s: • Words of Affirmation – Hearing “I appreciate you” can mean the world. • Acts of Service – Helping with the Christmas prep might say more than any gift could. • Receiving Gifts – Thoughtful presents that show you really know them. • Quality Time – Switching off the phone and being fully present. • Physical Touch – A hug, a kiss, or even holding hands by the fire. The trick is that we often give love in our language, but what makes your partner feel loved might be entirely different. This Christmas, consider taking a moment to discover and speak your partner's love language: • Have a conversation about which love languages resonate with each of you. • Plan a gesture that aligns with their primary love language; a handwritten note, an afternoon dedicated just to them, or simply holding their hand more often. • Reflect on how these small shifts can deepen your connection not just at Christmas but forever…. By aligning your actions to what genuinely matters to your partner, you offer a gift that can't be wrapped - a deeper, more authentic connection. Have you read The Five Love Languages? How might understanding these languages change the way you approach Christmas?

A cliché is a phrase, idea or tradition that has been overused to the point of becoming predictable or unoriginal. However, clichés often endure because they’re relatable and evoke shared feelings or experiences. Christmas is full of clichés - some we lovingly embrace, others we laugh at because they’re so familiar. The image of Santa squeezing down a chimney and getting stuck is a classic holiday trope in movies, songs and cartoons. It’s an exaggerated, humorous take on Santa’s job, playing on the idea of his jolly, round figure. It’s amusing because chimneys today are often too small or don’t exist in many homes, making it a delightful impossibility. In countless holiday movies, something magical happens at the last minute - snow falls, families reunite or Scrooge-like characters discover the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a feel-good factors that reinforces the idea of Christmas as a time for miracles and happy endings, no matter how unrealistic or predictable it may seem. Santa’s sack is impossibly full of toys for every child on Earth, and yet it never empties. It plays into the magical, larger-than-life image of Santa. People laugh at the physics of it, but they love the whimsy it represents. Christmas movies often show families waking up to a white blanket of snow, with everyone dressed in matching pajamas, and a golden glow lighting the scene. While it’s an idyllic vision, most people experience chaotic mornings and (depending on location) no snow at all. The last-minute gift shopper is a frantic person who rushes to buy gifts on Christmas Eve, grabbing whatever’s left in stores - often resulting in hilariously bad presents. Christmas clichés endure because they bring comfort, humour, and a sense of nostalgia. They remind us of shared cultural experiences and the magic (or chaos) of the holiday season. Giving men socks and underwear for Christmas is a cliché, but it’s also a practical and thoughtful gift for several reasons eg the presents are useful, can be high quality and can be tailored to hobbies and personalised. Who gives their partner or family member such presents? ⬇️

Christmas isn’t always joyful for everyone and that’s okay! For many, Christmas can amplify feelings of loneliness. Not everyone has a close family. Some are estranged from their children. Others feel like the holiday’s meaning is wasted on them because they don’t have the picture-perfect family unit that Christmas often portrays. I understand this deeply. I haven’t celebrated Christmas since I left home. I’m not Christian, I don’t follow any religion, and I don’t have children. For me, Christmas has always felt like a family-focused event, and without that connection, it simply didn’t resonate. But here’s what I’ve learned: Christmas doesn’t have to be about what you’ve lost or what you don’t have. It can be a gift you give yourself, a time to reflect on the people who do care about you, who have stood by you, and who’ve shared amazing moments with you. It doesn’t have to be family-based. Instead of focusing on what feels missing, focus on what’s present: 🌟 The friends who check in on you. 🌟 The memories you’ve created with people who matter. 🌟 The strength you’ve found within yourself to keep moving forward. For me, Christmas Day isn’t much different from any other day: • I’ll start my morning with a long walk with my dog. • I’ll do some housework and a yoga practice. • Later, I’ll probably go to a friend’s house for food, drinks, and a catch-up. It’s simple, but it’s fulfilling. How will you spend your Christmas this year? Will you create your own self-care routine, reach out to someone who matters, or maybe just take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for? Let me know in the comments -I’d love to hear how you’re making this season your own. #christmas

5 Things I’m Not Doing this December 1. Going to loads of Christmas events🎄 It’s easy to get sucked in when people talk about the Christmas things they're doing - Lapland, Kew Gardens, Winter Wonderland etc. but.. as beautiful as these activities are, I’ve also had some hairy experiences where the kids are cold and miserable and the grown ups are cold and extra miserable because the mulled wine is over-priced and under-alcoholled. We'll choose one Christmas event and really savour it. 2. Putting pressure on creating Christmas traditions 🤶 My family is happiest when we’re together. We'll do some fun activities and hang out and if Christmas traditions are born as a result, well, isn't that lovely. 3. Abandoning my health and wellness goals for December 🏃 I’ve done this so many times and I don’t fancy it this year. I've got health goals that I really want to stick to because they make me feel good and help me function well. I plan on sticking to these goals in December whilst making some tweaks so I can still enjoy the festive gatherings in the diary over the next few weeks. 4. Trying to cram things in before Christmas 🤶 Some things have to be done before Christmas - buying presents and closing out client work but other things do not - decluttering the spare room and making sure I see all my friends. Sometimes it feels like Christmas is this hard deadline and everything needs to happen beforehand but in reality, a lot of things can be scheduled into the new year. 5. Expecting everything to be perfect and for everyone to have a lovely time 😇 I've finally learned that Christmas is many things. Sometimes it hurts so much, painful memories are stirred up, it's cold and dark, you want things to be perfect, but life happens and sometimes there are arguments, things not going to plan, feeling disappoined. There are also beautiful, special moments, lovely food, laughter, bonding time, connection and love. I want to hold all of these feelings and accept some moments will really suck and some moments will be sublime (and everything in between).

Tis the Season to Be Jolly, so the Christmas songs tell us. But is it really? Yes, Christmas can be a time of joy, connection, and celebration...for some. But for others, it can be a time of feeling alone, stressed, and sad. I know this mix of emotions well. Christmas is a bittersweet time for me. My Mum’s birthday was Christmas day, and my Dad passed away on Christmas day night. So, this time of year reminds me of the mix of love and the losses that helped shape me. We’ve now moved back to the UK, after 18 years in NZ, and we get to spend our first Christmas with my daughter and her family. It’s a gift I’m profoundly grateful for and a reminder of how precious family and connection truly are. But not everyone feels that same sense of joy. Many face financial pressures. Stretching themselves thin to buy gifts they can’t really afford. By the time Christmas arrives, their stress levels are through the roof. So what if, instead of feeling the pressure to buy expensive presents, we decided to cut ourselves some slack? What if we let go of the stress? No expectations. No comparisons. Just showing up fully for those we care about and giving them the gift that everyone craves. The gift of being truly present! And here’s a novel idea. What if we kept that spirit alive beyond the festive period? What if we made showing care and compassion a part of our everyday lives? Imagine the difference it would make. Are you up for it? Then join me - and let's do this!

Let’s Decommercialise Christmas 🎄✨ As the festive season approaches, it’s hard to ignore the pressure to spend—on gifts, decorations, and everything in between. But this year, with the cost of living crisis weighing heavily on so many, perhaps it’s time to reimagine what Christmas truly means. The reality is, no one should feel obligated to overspend to create the “perfect” holiday. Christmas isn’t about stretching budgets or piling up debt; it’s about love, connection, and generosity of spirit—not necessarily of wallet. Here are a few ways we can embrace a more meaningful, less commercialised Christmas: 🎁 Thoughtful over expensive: Handmade or personal gifts can carry so much more meaning than something costly. 🎄 Time over things: Prioritise spending quality time with loved ones. A walk, a meal, or simply catching up can be more valuable than any item. 🤝 Community focus: Share kindness through volunteering or supporting local initiatives that help those in need. 💬 Open conversations: Normalize saying “no” to expensive traditions or gift exchanges if they’re not financially feasible. This festive season, let’s remind ourselves that joy doesn’t come with a price tag. Let’s show compassion—to others and ourselves—by celebrating in ways that honor what truly matters. How are you planning to celebrate meaningfully this Christmas? Let’s share ideas and inspiration to help each other during these challenging times. #CostOfLivingCrisis #DecommercialiseChristmas #MindfulSpending #TheMoneyProject