SALT LAKE CITY — In the live action version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Jim Carrey as the Grinch shares these symbolic stresses in his busy holiday schedule:

“Even if I wanted to go, my schedule wouldn't allow it. Four o'clock, wallow in self-pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, Jazzercize. 6:30, dinner with me. I can't cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing; I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9:00 I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?”

With these tools and tips from my "Simplify & Savor the Season" book, we can avoid the holiday mania and choose to make it a meaningful Christmas season.

Focus on a feeling

Like the Three Wise Men, we could ask ourselves, What do we seek? If we’re seeking for more peace, then we can consciously eliminate noisy, demanding or unnecessary activities that detract from it. If we’re seeking for more joy, we can add those events that uplift and recharge. As we carefully choose, we can truly feel what we seek. As Norman Vincent Peale said, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” We can savor the once-a-year feeling by choosing to create it.

We had a family night to choose our “feelings” that included service, joy and peace. For service we opened a Christus statue and talked of how to be His Hands this month as well as use my friends' creation, the Good Deeds Manger, to track it. For joy, the children gathered all the Christmas movies and books, put them in a basket my daughter decorated, and we now choose something from it each night. The peace we hope comes in bursts and by great miracles. Though small, each action has already brought the desired feelings.

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Studio 5: Avoiding Holiday Overwhelm

For an enhanced discussion on ways to avoid "holiday overwhelm," watch the TV version of this article on by clicking the link above.

Involve the family

From decorating the tree to wrapping the gifts, even the younger children can help. When looking at an item, task or event, ask, “How can I involve the family?” rather than just do it yourself. For example, for our out-of-state son I purchased items to go in a Christmas-in-a-Box and initially prepared to finish it myself. Instead, we had each family member wrap presents and write funny comments on labels. In no time it was packaged and ready to send.

Take it in chewable chunks

This is a tough one for me because I often don’t want to leave a task half-done or make a shopping trip twice. However, over the years I’m learning that I don’t have to power marathon through the "To-Dos". I can take it in small, enjoyable bites. Over the weekend my daughters and I put up the Christmas decorations. Typically, we would do the knickknacks and the tree in one go. However, after we finished the first part, one daughter said, “I think that’s good for now. Let’s have some cocoa.” And we did! A few days later we did the tree, followed by more cocoa and even happier children.

Let Christmas unwrap itself!

Especially for us as women, wives and mothers — the hub of Christmas Central, I call it — we can let the season unfold. Release the need for perfection, rigid structure or specific outcomes. So what if the cake flops, or the invitations have the wrong time, or the postcards didn't turn out exactly as you had planned? Laugh, go with it, make it a part of THIS Christmas. The unexpected adds the sparkle that creates the memories you’ll laugh about for years to come.

Embrace the holiday season with intentional choices that bring rewarding feelings. As you spontaneously live, love and serve, you’ll feel the season fill your soul.

For an enhanced discussion, view the TV version of this article on www.studio5.ksl.com or www.conniesokol.com.

Connie Sokol is an author, speaker, TV contributor and mother of seven. Contact her at www.conniesokol.com.

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