Deck the halls with boughs of folly....

To me Christmas is all about love and laughter and yes, I know that sounds cliché'.

However, the festive season can be so stressful. Organising family, the whole gift buying business and of course arranging the festive meal itself. We often forget why we are getting together in the first place. Trying to accommodate the needs and requests of split families, extended families, in laws, out laws, it can all just take the sparkle out of the whole season. But don't get your tinsel in a tangle. It really is all just about love.

Last September, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. A subsequent mastectomy followed and not long after, a great deal of soul searching. My answer to the big questions in life...be happy, be love. Sounds so corny now when I type this, but it is the truth.

So many of us totally lose it over Christmas Day and the festive meal. I know someone who stresses over every detail, making it an uncomfortable experience to be a part of. Another friend is totally offended if her grown children cannot make it to see her on Christmas Day. I want to say, just love. Feel the love you have for your family, if you don't get to see them on 'the day' send them your gift of understanding. Enjoy cooking for loved ones, if you don't like to cook, then buy a BBQ Chook and a good ole' Lions Christmas Cake, have a laugh...even if you burn the roast or drop the trifle. I've done both.

Three months after my surgery I held Christmas Day lunch at home. My stepsons couldn't make it, my grandkids weren't there, nor my beloved sister but I held them in my heart all day. Those that were there were treated to a whole baked salmon with Tuscan green olive salsa on top and many colourful vegetarian salads, fresh fruit and decadent gluten free Raspberry dessert. No ham, no turkey, no prawns, no roast, no trifle. Was there an uprising? No. Everyone loved it! Did we spend a fortune on gifts? No. We each provided a low cost funny gift and randomly pulled them from a sack. Was anyone disappointed? No. We all laughed all day. Was I exhausted? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. There was love and there was laughter.  It was perfect.

So chill out this Christmas. Be kind to one another and be kind to yourself, be happy in spite of all the "stuff" that goes with Christmas day, relax, don't sweat the small stuff, laugh at every opportunity, be like a child, be love.