Strolling along Central Avenue in historic downtown Faribault late on a Saturday afternoon in December 2011.
ALREADY I CAN FEEL the stress. Only four weeks until Christmas and so much to do:
I created a Christmas family photo card online yesterday (gold star for me) and will soon work on the holiday letter.
Greeting cards to write and send.
I’ll bake cookies, but probably not candy. How well I remember this ribbon candy of my youth, dropped into goodie bags parceled out after Christmas Eve worship services. This candy is artfully displayed by Vicki, a family member who has a real talent for decorating. The candy, card and lights images were all taken in her home.
Gifts to purchase and wrap. Cookies to bake.
The only lights at our home will be on the Christmas tree, although we really should decorate outdoors given we live along a busy street. But because our house was scheduled to be shingled (work started Tuesday), we could not hang lights in the balmy weather. And who wants to freeze their fingers now?
Decorating to do. Holiday events to attend. Travel.
My dear husband grilled this 2011 Christmas Day dinner.
Menus to plan. Food to buy and prepare.
It all can seem a bit overwhelming, throwing me into a rather Grinch-like state of mind. What’s a woman to do?
Short of acting like a Grinch and eliminating some items from that list, which I’m not going to do, I have one choice. That’s to cope. But how?
My friend Mandy Blume, who’s a nurse practitioner and the parish nurse at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault, my home congregation, is coordinating a Stress Relief Workshop set for 2 p.m. Sunday, December 2, in the Trinity Fellowship Hall.
If you can squeeze this into your pre-holiday schedule, do. Susan Knutson, a registered nurse and certified healing touch practitioner from Rochester, will speak on “Stress in the holidays & healing touch.”
Workshop attendees will participate in stress relief activities such as guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing.
Mandy even promises massages. Can you feel your muscles loosening already, the tension easing from your body?
The majority of the workshop—and Mandy emphasizes the word “workshop” over “presentation”—will be hands-on participating in and learning stress-reducing skills. In other words, do not expect simply to sit and take notes or read hand-outs. Oh, no.
Additionally, delicious snacks (and knowing Mandy, also healthy) and beverages will be available and door prizes awarded.
Cost is only $10. Register today by contacting the Trinity church office at 507-331-6579.
Or, you can just show up at 2 p.m. this Sunday in the Trinity Fellowship Hall, 530 Fourth Street N.W., Faribault, with your payment, although Mandy would appreciate preregistration.
(If you cannot afford the $10 registration fee, talk to Mandy.)
HOW DO YOU DEAL with stress during the holidays?
© Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
One of the biggest stress relievers for us was about 12 years ago we decided to stop exchanging gifts on my side of the family. We pick a charity together each year and make a donation there instead. It has been wonderful though I was the one who fought it like the dickens back then because I love to find the perfect gift for everyone. WE total it up and have made some significant donations in December to food banks and different charities that have had some meaning to our family. GREAT stress reliever. I really do not decorate the house too much anymore because we are never at our own home for Christmas. I can not remember the last time we were! But I always bake cookies–always. Even last year when we were living in Ohio I made about 7 kinds of cookies–usually 15 to 20 different kinds and give as gifts. Don”t stress—the massage idea is wonderful!!!
I love your family’s idea of dropping the gift exchange and giving instead to charity. We used to exchange gifts on both sides of extended family but dropped this on my husband’s side years ago and now don’t even get together at Christmas, but rather in the summer. That has helped. We exchange $10 gifts on my side, and I even find that stressful because I HATE TO SHOP.
That’s a lot of cookie baking going on in your house.
I am trying not to stress and I’ll feel better once the Christmas photo cards arrive and I can start on those. Exchanging greeting cards is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I love hearing from friends and family.
My wife and I drive over to Faribault regularly and walk the downtown and drive the old part of town and often onto Northfield. I used to buy carving supplies there before my hands told me to quit. Two wonderful wood carvers in that town. When I think of your town I think of a sight you do not see much anymore, two boys and a dog out and about. I read recently that people are calling such rare children free-range children ora free-range childhood.I bike ride all over Mankato and only rarely see a child outside. What I saw on a hot summer day was two boys about 10 years old sitting on a ledge by the sidewalk in front of one of those wonderful old mansions. Between the two boys sitting on his haunches was a big happy sloppy mutt. The look on his face was rapture unadultered by any human follies.
So glad you frequent our community. Faribault has a certain charm, given its age, and I’m learning to appreciate that more and more. Our downtown historic district is just so, so beautiful.
That scene with the two boys and dog sounds like something straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Last summer I had the joy of watching neighbor kids across the street playing together, outside, ALL the time. That is so rare. But one of the families has since moved and the kids left aren’t outdoors quite as often. Times have changed and children are “guarded” and that free-range aspect of childhood has been lost to most children, as you note. Sad.
As for the woodcarving, you reference Ivan Whillock and Marv Kaisersatt, two gifted carvers who call Faribault home. What have you carved? I so admire this talent.
I shall not mention my carvings in the presence of those two men, nor my eyebrows in the presence of Master Willock’s. So sad about the death of his daughter. Fine lady.
I did not know Ivan’s daughter, but read many good things about her.
Alright, then your woodcarving shall remain a mystery as shall the eyebrows. Clever comment, BTW.
I got Colin to put up our tree on Sunday because he left for 8 days yesterday – but, alas, the tree is still bare! Must do something about that. I am planning a few Christmas posts, though – been making more progress on those than on my decorating!
I’m laughing because I understand exactly. I would rather write than do anything else.
Yep, me too!
I am not as stressed as usual because I am not decorating or hosting this year. Hosted Thanksgiving this year and loved it but some work is involved too. Just need to buy a few presents and set. Hang in there:)
I was so thankful we did not have to host Thanksgiving this year given we’ve hosted the past two years and given we did not get to bed until 2 a.m. Thanksgiving Day given the son did not arrive home from Fargo until after 1 a.m. But then you’ve read that story.
We’re only having our kids and the oldest daughter’s boyfriend here around Christmas so that should be relaxing and fun. It’s just the other stuff, especially the shopping and gift wrapping, that I really do not like.
Our Christmas has somewhat simplified with the elimination of the adult exchange. Most of the gifts are of the handmade variety and so much fun. Always the last minute idea, or two, every year and I am repeating the mantra “I work my best under pressure”! LOL! Very little baking but special baking (such as an amaretto or creme de menthe cheesecake….a fave around here!). The decorating is minimalist as we are here for either Christmas eve or day gathering. The outside lights and Christmas tree are up/out and on their timers. Love that!! Beautiful photos! Does get one in the mood. Must get going on the annual Christmas photo letter, though. DH has the list ready. Hugs, D
You sound pretty organized to me. I like the idea of homemade gifts and I bet yours is something quilted?
Yup….some larger and some smaller…..will have to wait on the photo/posts til …… you know……after the giving!!! Little eyes are everywhere these days!! Big eyes, too!!!!!
Well, Audrey, I wasn’t stressed until I started reading your list of things to do and realized I have to do most of those things too! We do have some of our outside lights done as our son is a nut for it and planned a weird light system on our big pin oak. Still have wreaths and garland to hang. And cookies! Oh my gosh. I plan to start this week and stick some in the freezer. I did buy some Christmas cards yesterday, so I’ve gotten one thing done at least!
I’m sorry. I did not mean to stress you with that list. And I actually was not stressed either until I created that list. Should have just remained in my fantasy world that I did not have much to get done maybe.
In my own obscure manner I answered your question about stress. As for Christmas stress, I have none. I am married to a Christmas machine that goes into production on July 5 and winds up to full speed right after Labor Day. The production is oiled by the playing of carols beginning on July 5. Press releases are sent out periodically, such as about five in November announcing the purchasing of gifts has been completed and then the same announcement is released four times (ca.) in December. The actual Day is celebrated twice, 12/25 and 1/6, since the production manager has half Russian ancestry, which is convenient for the system. Production winds down only reluctantly on Jan 15 to heavy regret.
That is quite the Christmas machine. I am impressed.
Interesting that gift-giving is a stressor. Money, time, social risk: I know, I know. I thought that was mostly true only for husbands buying for their wives. Mine made it easy this year.We went in yesterday to have her wedding ring rebuilt, adding a diamond she already had, after she had to have it cut off a month ago. My family only ever did the gift thing for children until all got past age 12. My wife’s family is small and dysfunctional so it was never an issue there. When I had a small business, we combined money and gave to the Heifer Project in one lump sum instead of giving to each other. My daughter for her 40th birthday in September asked people to give to a similar charity.
Minnesotans never cease to impress me with their generosity. You and your family are fine examples. I’m familiar with the Heifer Project from church.
How wonderful to give your wife a rebuilt wedding ring. I’m certain she will treasure that.
I will check out your novel blog site later. I assume you do not want that comment, with the blog address, published here. Or do you?
The “stress relief workshop” would add one more thing to my schedule which would for sure put me over the edge. Actually I’m doing pretty good… we have two parties the first weekend in December that’s about it for social stuff. The other stuff will get done throughout the month. Hope you have a stressless December!
That was my thought, too–one more thing to add to the schedule. I will try my best not to get stressed during December.
Congrats on the card completion!!!! I still have not got to that, this weekend for sure! Stressing!
I was quite pleased that I was able to figure out the photo card by myself. I just hope it looks in hand like it looked on-screen. The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the cropping of one image. But to fit, I couldn’t crop any differently.