Hello friends,
Are ya’ll ready for the holiday season?
I’m certainly not.
In Austin, the weather is finally becoming bearable and I want to just curl up on my couch and drink tea, and dream of traveling. Or going for a long walk along the water, soaking up some of this cooler weather.
But the holidays are coming! 🙀 How is this year already over?? Do you feel that this year has felt so different from the past? I do, and have been thinking a lot about it lately…
These last three years have been challenging and somehow I feel like everything has changed forever. For me, Covid changed my business model, it changed the way I communicate with my children and even my friends, it has made me feel like I need to really focus on what matters, and that time with friends & family is more valuable then ever.
This year, I want to find a way to make the holidays feel easier, more relaxing, delicious, and grounding. I want to drop the expectation to decorate, cook, and buy the elaborate gifts for everyone on my list.
Who is with me? 😉
I talked with my ex-husband yesterday and he flat-out told me he is not doing Christmas this year. Good luck! He has a three-year-old! 😂
But I can understand his sentiment. We have been doing the whole hoopla for over 22 years now, and while I have many happy memories of these enriching times, I also remember the amount of pressure I put on myself to make everything “perfect”. A time that I remember as a child as magical has become more of a chore.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to cancel the holidays; I just want things to feel more pleasurable, more chill (as my kids would say). But how do we have a relaxed holiday and still have everyone be “happy”?
Permission to make this year easier?!
Here are a couple of things I will be doing.
I will make cookies and I make Vanilla Extract as my gifts for everyone. Both I can make well ahead of the holidays and all my gifts are covered. Its not like anyone needs more stuff anyways. And I will make a point to spend more time with my friends and family. Going for a walk, getting a cup of coffee, jumping on a call. I am craving more connection.
As far as the food goes, last year we ordered Chinese food for Christmas - it was awesome. Everyone was happy and all I had to do was wash some plates.
What do you do to make your holiday easier?
Chef Pascal
PS: If you want help to make cookies for gifts, we have a class for you