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top 5 things to do before the end of the year

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Written by Chris MacEachern | It is the time to make lists. Lots of lists. Lists of gifts to buy, groceries to purchase, events to attend, cards to write, people to call, chores to complete, and maybe even a list of lists to complete. Too often what should be a joyful holiday season turns into a period of overwhelming stress and tension. But in the hustle and bustle between now and New Year’s Day, we often forget some very important things that we really need to do. Let’s count down the top five – we’ll explain later.

5. Take a bubble bath.

Don’t be so concerned with scrubbing the bathroom that you neglect a good relaxing soak in that squeaky-clean tub.  Put the lists away, ditch the dishes, pour in a whole bottle of moisturizing bubble bath, light some scented candles, turn off the fluorescent overhead, play some music, and sink into delightfully warm water. Tell anyone who lives with you that they may not disturb you unless they have just called 911 and you need to put your bathrobe on before the emergency personnel arrive. You deserve some quiet time to relax and soak the cares away. Add a few bath salts (not that kind) for sore muscles and fantasize about the things you’ll accomplish in the year ahead.

4. Cross five things off your list without doing them.

Yes, you read that correctly. WITHOUT doing them. Often we put too much to do on our to-do lists.  Prioritize and then let go. Find shortcuts. Do you really need to make Christmas cookies that look like exact replicas of Botticelli’s angels? Will your guests really have an awful time at your house if you don’t put out every single holiday decoration you have collected since kindergarten? Does Uncle Jack really need that special yodeling pickle gag gift that you have to drive 20 miles out of your way to get? Lift your eyes up from the list, look at the bigger picture, and let five things go.

3. Sing and dance loudly and outrageously.

Blast some Christmas music. Forget the quiet harps in the background. Set the volume ten levels higher than you normally would and let the classic crooners rock the house. The entire neighborhood should know that it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Then, belt it out with Bing Crosby and dance as you dust. Create some never-before-seen moves. Can’t sing or dance? Then screech and hop. It doesn’t matter. The music and the dancing endorphins will help boost you right into the holiday spirit.

2. Buy yourself a present.

You have spent a lot of time thinking of the perfect gift for family members, friends, teachers, coworkers, neighbors, and even the dog.  You have budgeted, shopped, wrapped, and delivered. You must have come across one thing that made you say, ‘Wow!  I wish I had that!’ Go get it. Like the bubble bath, you deserve it. Buy it for yourself and thoroughly enjoy it. Do not cheat and give a significant other an easy out by providing them with the item number and website.  This is from you, to you, because you love you.

1. Make the most important list of all: a gratitude list.

When you are fried and frazzled and even running that bubble bath seems like too much work, begin to count your blessings – all of them, down to the smallest detail without self-editing or setting criteria.  Everything from a loved one escaping a cancer scare down to liking the paint color in the lobby of your building goes on this list. Write it out and watch the list grow. Add to it as ideas occur to you. When we really step away from the hubbub and think, we all have more things to be thankful for than we realize.  Make sure you realize all of them, and get ready to welcome more peacefulness and blessings in the year ahead.


Chris MacEachern is a writer, editor, and teacher living in Northwood, NH. Her new book Don’t Bury Me Next to that Old Man! takes a humorous look at life in a small New England town. It will be available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in spring 2014.