The best part of Christmas isn’t under the tree—it’s around it.

Planning a People-Focused Christmas Planning for Connection, Not Perfection

With the rising cost of basic necessities, groceries and food costs. we are all concerned about how to stretch our dollars. One of the biggest things that always Stands out in my mind is I have plenty of friends and family who always had big salaries and big paychecks, Me not so much. I was a flight attendant for 25 years. Flight attendants never made great money however we had a great life style of seeing different parts of the world.

It’s really time to look at others. the state of the world, the homeless and the people who are struggling.
When we go out and buy for a plethora of people on our lists, it actually puts stress on the gift receiver. People will often feel they need to match the gift value or reciprocate similarly when their pocket books simply don’t allow. Thats a huge amount of pressure.

If we changed our thinking to less. More about the people than the item, just think about how much joy we can give.

I know when one of my team brings me back a small cookie or a bar of soap from their travels, I am delighted. it wasnt about the money it was about the thought.

Christmas can feel like a whirlwind of glitter, garland, and gift receipts. Every year, we tell ourselves we’ll slow down, savor the season, and focus on what really matters… and then December hits like a snowplow.

But what if this year could be different?

What if, instead of reacting to the chaos, we planned for connection?

Let’s take a look at the four holiday traps we all fall into and how to flip the script to make this season more joyful, less stressful, and way more meaningful.

The Spending Trap: More Joy, Less Debt

We’ve all been there!! Caught in the glittery grip of holiday sales, buying gifts we can’t afford just because everyone else is doing it. Credit cards get maxed out, and we tell ourselves we’ll “figure it out later.” we can make payments. No that is not fun. And not that is not a way to get ahead.

But here’s the truth: the best gifts aren’t bought, they’re felt.

• Host a cookie-decorating night with friends.

• Write heartfelt letters instead of buying trinkets.

• Plan a “no-gift” brunch where the only thing exchanged is laughter.

The Gift Trap: Perfect Is Overrated

Scrambling to find the perfect present for everyone on your list? That is my biggest stress . I never know what to buy. And then when I do buy something It feels not good enough, or I worry if they will like it. That’s a recipe for stress, not joy. It’s a horrible feeling.

Let’s ditch the pressure and embrace presence over presents.

• Give experiences: movie nights, game tournaments, or a walk through twinkling lights.

• Create a opportunity to create memories and fill your photo book filled with shared moments.

• Gift your time such as babysitting, helping with errands, or just being there is invaluable.

The Time Trap: Say Yes to What Matters

Every invitation, every tradition, every event—saying yes to all of it can leave you drained and disconnected from the moments that actually matter.

This year, give yourself permission to say no.

• Choose a few meaningful gatherings and skip the rest.

• Block out time for quiet mornings, cozy evenings, and spontaneous fun.

• Make space for the people who fill your cup, not empty it. We know there are lots of people who will empty our cups if we let them.

The Decor Trap: Delight Over Duty

Dragging out every box of decorations because “that’s what we’ve always done”? Exhausting. Decorating should be joyful, not a a tonne of work and a burden. Often I remember speaking with friends who are stressed out, they ran out of time and are trying to decorate the tree last minute for their kids.

Let’s slow it down. Make an evening of it and decorate the tree early. If that is all you do that is a win to be celebrated.

Let’s simplify and decorate with intention.

• Pick a few favorite pieces that make you smile.

• Decorate the spaces you actually use.

• Turn decorating into a shared experience with friends, family, hot cocoa, music, and laughter.

Plan for Connection, Not Perfection

When we stop reacting to expectations and start planning for joy, everything changes. Christmas becomes less about the hustle and more about the the great people in our lives. Less about the spending and more about the creating the memories

let’s make a plan—not for the perfect holiday, but for a meaningful one.

Because the best part of Christmas isn’t under the tree—it’s around it.

New Years Resolutions- Set them and how to follow through!

Happy, Healthy New Year to all !

New Year's resolutions can be a great way to set goals and make positive changes in your life. However, it's important to approach them with a clear plan and the right mindset to increase your chances of success. Here are some tips for making and sticking to your New Year's resolutions:

1. Make specific, achievable goals. Instead of resolving to "lose weight," set a specific goal, like "walk every day for half an hour." This will give you a clear target to work towards and help you track your progress.

2. Create a plan. Set specific steps and milestones to help you achieve your goals. For example, if your resolution is to exercise more, plan out which days you'll work out and what type of activity you'll do each day.

3. Be realistic. Don't set goals that are too ambitious or difficult to achieve. It's better to set smaller, achievable goals that you can consistently work towards.

4. Make it a habit. Instead of viewing your resolution as a one-time event, try to incorporate it into your daily routine. This will help you make lasting changes and turn your resolution into a habit.

5. Track your progress. Use a planner or a tracking app to keep track of your progress and make any necessary adjustments along the way.

6. Don't be too hard on yourself. It's okay if you have setbacks or slip-ups. Don't let them discourage you – just get back on track and keep working towards your goals.

Making New Year's resolutions can be a great way to start the year off on the right foot. With a clear plan and the right mindset, you can achieve your goals and make positive changes in your life. HAPPY HEALTHY 2024 to all.

5 clutter-free gift ideas for the holidays

Shopping for the holidays? Calm Order recommends giving a gift than can be experienced or consumed. This way, your loved ones can enjoy their gift without adding unnecessary clutter into their lives. If you’re having trouble thinking of gift ideas, don’t just buy something at random. Chances are, whoever gets the gift won’t be able to use it and will end up having to give it away or put it in storage and forget about it. Don’t be afraid to buy gift certificates or tickets for gifts that won’t turn into unwanted clutter.

 Enjoy dinner and a movie

This classic weekend activity is a great gift to give anyone on your gift list. It can easily be customized to everyone’s tastes and interests because you can be general movie passes that aren’t specific to a certain movie, theatre or time. This way, your gift recipient can make plans to use their gift whenever works best for them. Better yet, it can be a completely clutter-less gift! Consider buy the movie passes and restaurant gift certificate online and sending them over electronically. You can print out a certificate or card that can be opened the day of but doesn’t need to be saved (and most likely lost) when the recipient goes to use it. This idea also works well as a couple or group gift.

Give a night at the theatre

Calgary is home to many different theatres and performance groups that provide entertainment for all ages. From musicals to comedy shows and family-friendly performances, there are many different performance companies like Theatre Calgary, Pumphouse Theatre and StoryBook Theatre that can also make great gifts for family and friends. If there is a specific show you know your loved ones will love, then it might be a good idea to purchase specific tickets for them and other friends and family before they sell out. You can even consider purchasing general admission tickets, so they can see a show whenever they want. This gift can be a unique experience, and an activity they may not have thought to do on their own. If you have friends or family that really enjoy seeing performances, consider also buying them season passes to their favourite place.

Explore Calgary’s museums and galleries

For an even more engaging gift, consider giving friends and family passes to one of the many museums and galleries in Calgary and the surrounding area. From places like the Glenbow Museum, Heritage Park or even the Royal Tyrrell Museum, season passes, or one-time admission tickets make a great gift for any individual or group. Admission passes will allow recipients to make a visit at a time that works with their schedule and be a fun afternoon or day activity for them to experience by themselves or with other friends. If you’re looking for a bigger gift, you could buy multiple admission tickets to multiple places, and cut down on the number of physical items your loved ones will receive this holiday season. Give them a gift they can actually experience and remember!

Test culinary skills and taste buds

If you know anyone that likes to cook, bake, or eat food, find a cooking class or demonstration on a food type or cuisine they like, so they can enjoy an afternoon or evening learning about (and eating) something they love! Most classes can be group or partner activities, so this could be a great idea to do with your recipient, or to give them to do with someone else. There are classes available in Calgary from a variety of organizations like ATCO Blue Flame, The Cookbook Company Cooks, Sunterra, and more. If your recipient isn’t a fan of cooking, try a tasting or pairing event instead, which usually offers beverages and food samplings for guests to try. Restaurants and bakeries offer events like this that allow people to purchase tickets in advance, which makes for a great gift to enjoy after the holidays. Not only are they engaging activities, they can also be very educational!

Treat your loved ones

After a busy holiday season, nothing is better than getting a relaxing day at the spa! Whether it is a massage, pedicure, or full treatment, consider giving a gift certificate to a spa for your friend or loved one. It could be their regular treatment, or something new they wouldn’t normally get to do. There are also spa treatments available for couples or groups that you can also give. Some packages may also offer the option to get food or drinks to turn it into an even more engaging activity. A spa-day is the perfect gift for friends and family who may need rest and relaxation after spending a busy few days with family or travelling.

Give a gift that won’t just take up space in the homes of your friends and family. This year give them something they can actually experience and enjoy. Not only will it save you time and eliminate your gift-wrapping time, you can be assured that your recipients will actually use and appreciate their gift without adding more clutter to their lives.