Excited to See Christmas? Have You Made Plans Yet?

Planning for Christmas yet? Are you chronically ill? Or do you know someone who is?

Observer, think about all you do. Shopping. Decorating–the tree, inside and outside the house. Addressing Christmas cards. Attending parties. Helping with the Christmas play. Christmas planning for the chronically ill is like that of other people. However, it can be more involved and needs to start earlier.

So much to do! Dweller, how will you ever get it all done? And do you really want to? Are you even able to?

Before my challenges began many years ago, I enjoyed doing all the above activities. Adding notes to Christmas cards was fun. I enjoyed making many of our presents. Cookie baking and candy making for the holidays filled more time. For Christmas dinner, we had turkey and the trimmings, homemade rolls, fruit salad, and four meringue pies. Then I did it again for New Year’s. But as the years passed, my weakness and fatigue increased, so holiday activities decreased.

So, how did I cope with all these changes? And how can you?

I’ll share what has helped me. Maybe you will glean ideas to use. It takes thought, motivation, and planning.

Ideas for planning

Evaluate.

• Honestly looking at what I could and could not do was quite difficult.
• It hurt to know I was unable to do what I used to.
• But realistically assessing your abilities cuts down on your stress.

Start early.

• Although it may be too late for this tip.

Simplify.

• Slimming down expectations was hard; it can be painful but is a necessary step.

Consider help.

• Kind people offered their help, and I had to learn to accept it.

Involve your family.

• Our grandkids helped put the Christmas tree together the year their granddad had surgery that left him incapacitated.

Plan.

• I start early making to-do lists for everything. I use Excel, saving the lists. So now I don’t have to start from scratch; I just adapt each year.

One caveat: Sometimes things go wrong.

• Sometimes we must think, and think again, and yet again to get things right.
• Sometimes no matter how much we think, we get it wrong.
• We need to cut ourselves some slack.
• And remember the reason for the day.

In conclusion

• Honestly evaluate your abilities.
• Slim down your expectations.
• Ask for and/or accept help.
• Plan in advance.
• Remember the reason for the season.
  • For my family and me, that means the sending of Jesus. And He makes my life worth living.

Your valuable input

What have you done to get ready for Christmas?

More ideas: Christmas planning for the chronically ill

Especially for fellow Dwellers

An expanded list of ideas is presented in “Being Festive.”

Read this article about being kind to yourself this Christmas.

Check out this printable planning list. Though not specifically for the chronically ill, it’s still helpful.

And for you Observers

Wonder what kinds of gifts to give your invisibly disabled friends? See what Sheryl thinks.

Read our article about how to help your chronically ill friend at Christmas.