Can we just all take a collective, deep cleansing breath?
I don’t know about you, sister… But sometimes the holidays stress me out.
Sure, last month I made the vow to switch things up a bit this year for the holidays, transitioning from stressed to blessed.
But let’s be honest. Even in a “perfect” world, that would be a tall order… let alone trying to mesh that vision with the craziness that is Army-wife life.
One of my coping mechanisms for stress is humor. (Usually this is a good thing… Usually.) Last year, I shared some “Humorous Holiday Hacks” here at Army Wife Network. Apparently, they were well received. (That or people were so desperate for a laugh.)
Either way, I have been asked to expand on my “hacks” from last year, adding some fresh ones to the mix.
As mentioned in the post from last Christmas, these hacks aren’t guaranteed to make your holiday season easier… But I can almost promise you that if you kick them into motion, you WILL be more entertained. (I can’t say the same for those people around you. Sorry, husbands/neighbors/strangers on the street.)
Proceed at your own risk. And enjoy!
1. *Sigh.* Every year, I struggle to get my beloved husband on board with holiday enthusiasm. Family! Fun! Decorating! All the things! Every year, he sighs, mutters something at the ceiling and slowly slides out of his recliner after my umpteenth request, which at this point is now classified as nagging. How can I get him fired up to help me out and celebrate?
Hack: Oh girl, you are doing it all wrong! Our men don’t speak our language—most of them speak man (#Beer #Sports #Sleep) or they speak army. I recommend you re-frame your approach and set the holiday shenanigans up like a mission.
Cut an OpOrder when it comes to Christmas Day Timeline. Construct a terrain model to map out how you want the things decorated. Don’t go “Christmas shopping.” Do “Gift Recon.” Feed the man an MRE for breakfast if you have to. (I have heard that the Cheese Tortellini ones are delicious. But be sure to trade and get M’n’Ms for dessert.) Throw in random army-esque words into your conversations, like “Roger” and “Copy” and “Wilco.” Come up with holiday call signs for one another, like SF Santa or Ranger Rudolf or Infantry-Ice-Man.
Oh, and one more thing. It will never hurt to randomly say AMERICA after all completed holiday tasks, especially within earshot of your now-motivated holiday-loving husband. Take the ham out of the oven. (AMERICA!) Wrap the final present. (AMERICA!) Get out of Target for under $100. (AMERICA!) (Actually, I recommend you implement that last one year round…) Do all of these things and when the New Year rolls around, you can both high five and say “MISSION COMPLETE.”
Want to read the other four humorous holiday hacks? Hop on over to Army Wife Network.
Dear readers—which “Hack” is your favorite? What hacks would you add to the list? I always love to hear feedback—join in and leave a comment here.
Oh. And I pray you have a memorable and oh-so-humorous holiday season this year!
Laughing all the Way,
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” ~Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Linking up today with Kelly, Laura at Playdates with God, Joan’s Beauty in His Grip, and Hazel via Tell Me a Story.
