I know for me this time of year is the hardest when it comes to trying to deal with my ME/CFS, FM, and IC. I would like to hear from you readers on how the weather changes and holidays affect your health. While I don’t like to see other people suffering, it is comforting to know that I’m not out here struggling alone, trying to make it through each day. Now that I have went back to work a few hours a week, I have decided to cut out some of my normal holiday routine that creates extra work for me. I will not be hosting Christmas lunch at my house this year and it will be nice to just have the day to relax and enjoy my son and husband enjoying their presents. Yes, my husband is as much of a kid as my son and he gets several “boy toys” for Christmas and the two of themplayingtogetheris truly priceless.
The past few years my husband, son and I have had my parents and my mother-in-law for Christmas lunch and we prepare quite a feast for them to eat. My parents are still going to come on Christmas Day to deliver presents but I will only have a few snack foods put out to eat and will not have to spend two days preparing. I will probably be working Christmas Eve day as well so that is another reason I decided not to make a meal this year.
Typically around this time of year I also like to get reader tips on making the holiday season less exhausting and less stressful. Share your shopping, meal planning and wrapping tips as well! Don’t be shy! Please comment away!
always running, running, running, the time has come to be at peace, even in pain,
this year we won’t worry about rushing here and their, we’ll do two stops, and if their family, their will be more of an effort to have individual time not just formal affairs left and right, do your part but don’t feel obligated to do everything, its to hard on our family unit, takeing people away from their comfort zone is problematic but if you know its the right thing to do let it be known!!!! and open to company or one on one time.
I try and fix meals for week in one or two days, or have ready and on the calendar, so it doesn’t have to be thought about continually, soup’s etc, once a week last few days good for snacks etc.
Happy Holidays.
I’ve learned to do things well in advance, and in little bites. It’s the only way I can get through Christmas with two young kids of my own and hosting two big parties, plus 20-22 people for Christmas dinner every year.
For gifts, I shop all year round. I actually try to be completely finished with gift buying before December arrives. I keep a list of what I’ve bought on my computer.
I decorate in bits and pieces starting Dec 1. Because the shopping is done, and just as the weather gets really cold, I can now hibernate. 🙂 I decorate (with my kids helping) for about 10-15 minutes a day. By the time Christmas arrives, it looks gorgeous and I’m not exhausted.
I cook in bits and pieces, too. In November, I prepare a ton of meals for the freezer for December. I also make cookie dough (and freeze it in rolls so you can slice how many cookies you need and just bake them), apple pies, cheesecake, and phyllo appetizers.
Because I start so early, I can afford to “take days off” when my body isn’t cooperating, and I don’t have any one day that throws me into a flareup because I’ve overdone it. Except Christmas day itself, but with two little kids, that’s hard to avoid. 🙂
Great subject and timing Sandy,
I am mostly homebound (CFS/FMS, MG, IC, Gastroparesis…) and have been ill for over twenty years. The first years I fought hard to continue to hostess and carry out all of our traditions–made for some bigtime flare-ups. After two decades I’ve let go of a lot.. Here’s some things that have worked for our family over the years:
-Online shopping
-Wrapping-Gift bags rock!
-When we cook, the whole family cooks and cleans up together
-We ordered Thanksgiving dinner from Marie Calender’s last year when going through extra tough times. Many grocery stores offer this service. (Comes with the works).
-Fun appetizers to munch on Christmas Day instead of a big dinner. (Our kids loved this).
-Playing games together. Mom can lay around and play (when brain’s not too fogged) or at least watch and enjoy. Watching movies together too.
-Enjoying and appreciating the little things we could do, like together bake the neighbor and friend gifts. When our kids were little, we loaded up the red wagon and walked the neighborhood delivering to the neighbors. This is a “normal” thing for many able-bodied, but for us as a family it became very special.
-Letting go and letting whatever is that day be…and be good enough. When I accept the state of my health and function, it helps those around me feel comfortable–and helps us all enjoy the moment.
Sandy, this was a great exercise in helping me mentally prepare for this upcoming holiday season. Thanks, Kerry