Homemade & Heartfelt… by JoAnn

Two days after Christmas, I decided to sit down and make some homemade ornaments. It seems kinda silly after the holiday, but I am bound and determined that this time next year, I will be taking down a Christmas tree. I have lived on my own for six years now. Being the only one living in my apartment, I have never felt the passion for putting up holiday decorations, including a tree.

This year, I felt like I was missing out. With the world’s turmoil and it seeming to get worse daily, I truly needed some holiday cheer. I became quite depressed this season, and I have made a pledge that next year will be different. After listening to a friend of mine talk about having an old-fashioned Christmas this year, I decided that I, too, want to go back to decorating and creating like I used to.

So I got out the crafting supplies I had bought several years ago for a project that I never did, and I sat down and began to use my brain for something artsy. I made four ornaments that I plan to put on my very first Christmas tree next year. I know it’s a whole year away, but I plan to do a craft every month or so until then, so when December rolls around again, I will be ready to enjoy my bounty of creativity.

Hopefully, when I purchase my first Christmas tree next year, I will have almost all the ornaments I need to decorate it. Ornaments that I hand-made have a meaning behind them. Homemade is always better. I also plan to shop the thrift stores throughout the year for holiday decorations. Those will also have special meaning to me, as I think of shopping in a thrift store as a treasure hunt. All treasures found are like gold to a thrifty fan like me.

So, I guess you could say that my New Year’s resolution for 2024 is to return to my roots and do some simple things that make me happier. Like arts & crafts. Something I enjoyed immensely back in my younger days. Maybe I can even get my daughters or grands involved in a project. I proudly have at least three artists in my bunch. So spending more time with loved ones can also be added to that New Year’s resolution.

I hope that by starting the new year on a positive note, the rest of the year will go just as smoothly. Thinking of a new year is intimidating. So many unknowns. Thinking of all that happened this past year is mind-blowing. But one thing I’ve learned this year is that I cannot dwell on things that I have no control over. Letting the world and all its troubles get me down does no good. I must do the very best I can do with the world I live in and what I have control over. The first thing I must do is take care of myself – mind, body, and soul. Only then will I have the strength to help someone else and make a difference, no matter how small.

So yes, my aspirations are humble, but every journey starts with one small step.