The holiday season is just around the corner. Or, maybe, it’s been here since October. Either way, this time of year tends to come with quite a bit of stress, obligation and overwhelm. Our kind sentiments and warm, fuzzy feelings get lost in the midst of worry; worry about money, travel, time, energy and just about anything else our minds can conjure up to disrupt our joy. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way, at all.

I’m committed to living my life in a way that encompasses peace, exudes love and creates power. So I took some time to create a possibility for a truly joyful holiday season within that realm. I’ve come up with some strategies for myself and thought I’d share, in hopes that you all will experience a peaceful and happy holiday, and beyond.

• Get that image doesn’t mean anything. Absolutely nothing. The energy we put into making our homes look perfect, the Pinterest-worthy projects we do with the kids, the gifts we can’t afford…..all of these things are joy suckers. We do them to impress others, while driving ourselves crazy. And broke. And guess what. No one else cares. No one cares how perfect our wreaths look from the street, how much money we’ve spent on their gift or how many times we’ve snapped at our child before taking over their “handmade” teacher gift. YOU are the only one who cares, and you are really robbing yourself of the opportunity to enjoy this time of year. Want peace? Forget to impress!
• Presence, not presents. The holiday season can be a tremendous financial strain for anyone who’s already struggling to make ends meet. Even if money is a non-issue for you, you might be missing the mark on making the most of this holiday season. It’s a busy time of year and, when we’re blessed by abundance, it can be much easier to use our wallets than our hearts to make an impact for others. Generosity is an incredible act, and should be acknowledged. But what really moves people is when we share our most precious resource with them, our time. Instead of spending a fortune on presents, gift the people you love with your presence. It will go a lot further than you can imagine. Take them out for coffee or lunch. Join them for a yoga or pottery class. Grab tickets to a comedy or music show that they’d enjoy. Spend time and love instead of money and see what opens up in those relationships!
• Get creative. Don’t get me wrong. Pinterest is remarkable source of inspiration and handmade gifts are a fantastic way to limit your holiday spending. But there’s something to really get before you go down this road….Pinterest does not have to equal pressure. By all means, seek ideas. But making gifts, even with the kids, should be an enjoyable and satisfying way of sharing a piece of you with someone else. Allow yourself to create something without the concern of how it will turn out or be received. If it comes from the heart, it will be felt that way.
• Commit with care. We tend to overcommit ourselves throughout the year, but even more so during the holidays. In our quest to make the most of the season, to be productive and meet expectations, we say we will do things we simply don’t have the time (or interest) for. Time is our most valuable resource and so we should give it with love, but wisely. This year, try your best to avoid making commitments of this nature. Instead, commit only to things that will bring real value to you and the people around you. Once you’re committed to something, honor your commitments with care and contentment.
• Forget about food. Health & wellness are important aspects of a powerful and effective life. However, food is also an important part of holiday tradition and is often an expression of love. Let go of the need to maintain a rigid nutrition plan and simply allow yourself to be in the moment, enjoying food freely without the worry of guilt.
• Get complete with 2017. We’ve all experienced things this past year that have brought discord or disappointment. Perhaps you’ve been slighted in some regard. Perhaps you’ve lost something or someone important to you. Or, perhaps, things just didn’t go as planned. The truth is that it doesn’t matter. Nothing that’s happened has anything to do with who you are or where you’re going from here. Accept that what’s happened has happened, and be willing to move forward without resentment or regret.
• Create possibilities instead of resolutions. With a new year comes the pressures of getting it right this time around. We resolve to do things differently, or better, in the year to come. The problem is that we are setting ourselves up for failure and, with failure, comes the sense of defeat. And we give up. Instead of making a resolution to do this or not do that, try creating a possibility for 2018. In the realm of possibility, there is no failure or shortcoming. It’s merely about what is possible through action. And the cool thing about possibility is that it’s always possible. What are you going to create for your life in 2018?

When I made the switch to a Paleo diet, the transition came with quite a bit of unexpected awkwardness. I began my wellness journey right before Thanksgiving and soon realized that the holiday season would bring the worst of it. Having to prepare all of my own food, declining the meals lovingly prepared by holiday hosts felt rude to me. I was sure that I was hurting feelings, and that my choices were coming across as pompous or fussy. I hated that, but it was a necessary part of my recovery.

Turning down cookies and pies  and handmade pierogie weren’t the only source of discomfort for me, though. The actual gifts I received my first Christmas since beginning this diet, however thoughtful, were a reminder of how dispiriting that holiday season was for me. My mom bought me some baking items; a rolling pin, measuring cups and spoons. They were beautiful, not your average baking items. The rolling pin was marble. The cups and spoons were a beautiful, hand-painted porcelain. They were a wonderful addition to any kitchen. Except, of course, a kitchen where there were no flours, no sugars, no eggs. The gifts were lovely, but they were a painful reminder of all I’d given up. It would be a long time, if ever, that I’d be able to use them.

It’s been three years since I began treating my Lupus with nutrition, but the holidays continue to be a challenge. I still have to make a lot of my own food, but I’ve been able to navigate some pretty amazing gluten-free/paleo alternatives to help me recreate the magic of the season. But the gift thing can still get tricky. I’ve received things like cookie mixes, pizza stones, etc that I can’t really use. I simply smile, say thank you and find a space in my tiny kitchen for these items to collect dust. Someone asked me last week if I’d like a toaster oven, to which I awkwardly responded “I can’t really eat any foods that could be toasted.” It inspired me to create this gift-giving guide for your gluten free friends and family members.

I don’t mean to come across as ungrateful. The truth is, I’d be happy with no gifts at all. Christmas, for me, has always been about spending time with loved ones and celebrating Christ. My siblings and I are rarely all together, and when we are, its gift enough. But people do feel compelled to buy presents for one another at Christmastime. And I hope that this will help to give you some ideas for the gluten free guys and gals in your circle.

Gifts to Avoid

1. Any food items that are not certified gluten free. Depending on the severity of the gluten allergy or intolerance, cross contamination can be a big deal. If you’re purchasing any food items, be sure to check the labels! If you want to make a gluten free treat for someone, please be extremely cautious of cross-contamination. Clean surfaces before preparing and be sure that no gluten-containing items are nearby.
2. Any kitchen item that a person with gluten-sensitivity will likely not be able to use. Examples: Toaster Oven, Pizza Stone, Waffle Iron, Bakeware, etc.
3. Gift Cards to restaurants that don’t offer gluten-free friendly options. If you’re unsure, call the restaurant to be safe!
4. Cookbooks that don’t include gluten-free recipes.
5. Beer, unless it’s gluten free!

Gifts to Get

1. Gluten Free Baked Goods from your local GF bakery or from Etsy! Try these!
2. Coffees, Teas or Gift Cards for either.
3. Meat & Cheese basket.
4. Fruit Arrangement.
5. Cookware.
6. Sangria Set.
7. Moscow Mule Mugs.
8. Wine.
9. Gluten Free Beer.
10. A CSA subscription! Find one close to you here.
11. A cute tee to support your gluten-free friend or family member. I love this!

A little thoughtfulness goes a long way. Be kind. Be merry.