Hello beautiful souls.
This is Barbara and welcome to A Beautiful Night's Sleep.
Thanks for being here for another in the series of Bedtime with Barbara written by June Bee.
Our fun Christmas traditions.
Join me as we're getting ready for our family Christmas celebrations and all the things we will discover on our journey to sleep.
So let's get into your favorite sleeping position.
Making sure you are comfortable.
Close your eyes.
Relax your muscles and slowly imagine yourself melting into the bed.
Now let's go to your breathing.
Slowing down the heart rate.
And let's take some nourishing breaths together.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Last time.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Ah.
Settle in now.
Relax and get comfortable.
Listen to the sound of my voice.
If your mind wanders it's okay.
Bring it back to the sound of my voice.
Let go of everything that has happened today and let's go on our journey together.
You know the saying it's the most wonderful time of the year and this year is going to be a great one for sure.
After gathering everyone together it is time to prepare for a fun and exciting Christmas season.
So my family is huge and we all take turns to host Christmas dinner.
Actually we do Christmas Eve at one.
Christmas Day at another.
Boxing Day at a third one the rest of that week before New Year's.
Feeling like nobody really knows what day it is because we don't.
All we do know is that this time of the year we are all oblivious to what day of the week it is.
Filled with way too much cheese and wine.
Isn't that what this season is all about though?
Doing all the things you don't usually do all year round.
Visit long-lost friends and family and eating a ridiculous amount of food right?
So first off we have a family meeting via zoom.
Oh yeah we are that organized.
As we all live in different areas and it is easier that way.
Better than a million phone calls right?
We zoom about the Christmas meal menu which really stays the same each year.
Who is hosting?
Who is bringing who?
How many kids are coming?
And how many little gifts and stockings we have to fill this year?
I'll tell you something the family seems to be exploding with grands,
Great-grands and even one great great grandchild has graced us all this year.
That is a lot to cater for and even more to entertain for the big day.
We always get it done though and usually stress free.
We all take our part in making the big day something special for everyone no matter how they like to enjoy it.
So we have decided who is hosting this year.
I did Thanksgiving so I'm a support person for the sister of mine who is having everyone over to hers.
She has a huge house in the country with numerous bedrooms and she even has a pool with a separate guest house.
Everyone loves going there and we always have such a blast as most of us stay over and make it a mini family holiday of sorts.
Whenever we go there is so much fun and oodles of laughter in the air.
It is my job to sort out the cutlery and crockery for it is looking like just shy of 50 people this year.
Also to sort out the sleeping arrangements and who is staying in the main house and who is staying in the guest house by the pool.
So I have the plan set out on paper and I'm off to go to the place we rent all our tableware from.
After that is done it is sorting out who is staying over and who sleeps where.
Some of my other siblings are sorting out the buying of some of the snacking food drinks and all the other specialty food and also organizing caterers for the bulk of the food preparation and cooking.
We even have two people who serve us on the day.
This may be a bit lavish although it allows us to have fun and not slave over the stove and actually enjoy the day.
So that is how we do Christmas.
We also have a yearly tree dressing party where we get a humongous real tree and invite all who are free to help us dress the tree.
With all the Christmas music your heart could enjoy.
Loads of flowing drinks and snacks.
Sneaky gifts being wrapped and put aside until the tree is up and the fun of unwrapping the lights and putting the decorations on the tree.
It is a yearly party not to be missed.
When we are finished we put up all the already wrapped gifts under the tree without shaking them or squeezing them.
Well I try my best not to anyway and stand back and admire our handiwork.
Then we relax and listen to some carols and enjoy our time as this really signifies the beginning of the Christmas season for our family.
Once the tree is up it's all a go.
Driving into town to get some final bits for our centerpiece on the dining table.
I am swept up in the glorious joy of the season and everything it means to me.
Having this opportunity to spend special time with all my family.
Sharing heartfelt gifts.
Stories of things that have gone on for me during the year.
Jokes and laughter and seeing my family expanding is humbling.
Taking the time to stop and be present in this moment.
Allowing the feeling of so much joy and gratitude to well up inside of me for this precious gift of family and happiness.
Who could ask for more than this magical time of the year,
Right?
I wish you all have the love and blessings that will make your heart smile and make you thankful for another year.
Wishing you a wonderful,
Peaceful,
And happy Christmas and may your heart be filled with joy always.
Oh,
I'm not sure about you.
I'm getting sleepy even thinking about it.
So I'm ready to let go fully and surrender to sleep.
Thanks for joining me tonight and as you slowly drift away,
Have yourself a great night's sleep and looking forward to seeing you again for another in the series of Bedtime with Barbara,
Written by June Bee.
Good night.
