Design is a fickle bitch.

Always beckoning with the more more more while you’re bursting at the seams and aching for a little letting go go go.

The bombardment is intense ~ always something new, something prettier, something shinier, something a little more than what you’ve got. And just when you’re feeling like stripping on down you’re being told to load right on up.

And this time of year brings its own brand of crazy-crazy. All those joyous carols and jingling bells trigger the harried ‘buy!’ frenzy when all we really need is a little of the ‘whoa’ brake pedal.

I’m here to remind you:

You do not need three gazillion yards of faux greenery to line the stairway.

You do not need more sparkly, crystal-y blindingly disco tree ornaments.

Most importantly, you do not need Christmas towels.

Stop now.

Take a deep breath. Breath in the memory of who you are. Things don’t make you who you are. YOU do.

So step away from the display. Sing the alphabet until the bells disappear. And when you start thinking of pulling out your musty decorations, remember to think about why you’re pulling them out in the first place.

Because those magazine spreads? Those ones that look perfectly perfect and make you feel like a raging failure? Uh-huh. Those are called Style Shots. They are not real. NOT. EVEN. REMOTELY. REAL.

Stop now.

Take a deep breath. Remember what you’re celebrating in the first place.

Tradition isn’t a retail display brought home. It’s the dusty macaroni noodle tree ornament circa 1985. It’s the eggnog-gone-totally-rum-like while you frantically wrap gifts and wonder if that noise was the sound of little feet. It’s the late nights watching Ebenezer while you curl up by the fire with the one you love.

So stop now.

Take a deep breath. Have some eggnog (spiked, if possible).

You are not your holiday decorations. Things don’t make you who you are or define your traditions.

You do.