We love the holidays! Roasted turkey, parties, decorations, the beautiful lights! Families get together. Cheer is shared with friends. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year (as we sing along with Andy Williams.) Tis the season to be jolly. Tis the season to be stressed out, too. Though we love the holiday season, it can be full of frustration and disappointed tears. Well, we’re here for you. To protect you from the holiday hassle, here are our three Cs of holiday self-preservation.
Communicate
What are your expectations? Friends, family, and spouses are terrible mind readers. Speak up early. Let them know what you’d like. Ask what they’d like regarding get-togethers and gifts. It is really hard giving up or changing some of our traditions. As families grow and change, we need to remember to be flexible. Be open to change. Open communication and planning can prevent some big disappointments.
Chill
November through December is a crazy, busy time — for everyone, not just for you. Remember to cut people some slack for being thoughtless and rude. Try not to let it bother you. Brush it off. Sip on a grande mocha-chi-coffee-valium latte. Make up a ridiculous excuse for a stranger’s poor behavior. It’s a fun game and can get you giggling. Find a daily “chill” activity, such as sewing, quilting, knitting, embroidery, reading – whatever feeds your peace and contentment levels. Most important, remember to research and reflect on the true meaning of the holidays.
Care
Tis is the season for gift-giving. I love giving gifts but Gifts is also one of my love languages (Lisa). What?, you ask? Check out The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. The information is free. The book is amazing. It is not new, but it is revolutionary. The Five Love Languages are, Gifts, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, and Touch. During the holiday season you’ll have many opportunities to show you care. My challenge to you is to care in a Love Language your friends, family, and spouse receives, not just the Love Language you’re most comfortable in showing. You’ll be amazed at their response. Just an idea but instead of a gift, maybe your loved one would love a Christmas adventure? And Care for yourself as well. You know how to do that best, after all.
Communicate, Chill, and Care. What do you do to get you through the stress of the holidays? We’d love to read your tips and ideas.
Our Favorite Holiday Quilts
Lora and I love sewing seasonal and holiday themed quilts. Check out MaterialGirlfriendsShop.com for patterns and kits. But wait to buy! We’ll have a Black Friday sale on patterns Thanksgiving week. Make your wish list. If we’re sold out on a kit, check back again soon. We’re adding kits all the time and will have them back in stock as quick as we can. On kits, we’re priced as low as we can go. We won’t have additional sales on kits this year. So don’t wait.
Fall Quilts Gallery
Winter Quilts Gallery
A few of the quilts shown in the two galleries above are FREE downloads. Check out The Free Stuff in the header at the top of the page.
I Love Us Sew Along
If you’re doing the free monthly Sew Along with us, don’t forget to download your next block. Click the “I Love Us Sew Along” in the header at the top of the page. All the blocks are still available but won’t be for long!
Enjoy this time! It will be January before we know it! In January Material Girlfriends will have a booth at Road to California show in Ontario, CA. We’ll be on row 300. We hope to see you there!
We’ll chat again soon.
Happy Sewing,
Lisa Norton
