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Elizabeth, you know that this year I am hosting Thanksgiving for the second time.
Huge bucket list for me.
And one of the things that makes it easier to prepare for any kind of big gathering whether it's Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving or any kind of celebration is knowing that you can go to one place that you know you're going to get high standards and good prices, and this is why I love going to Whole Foods Market.
I can look for the 365 brand and I know that I'm gonna get everything that I need and want for a good price, with the quality that I can count on.
Yeah, they have everything from low-price, quality turkey to pantry essentials and Gretchen.
I have to add frozen appetizers, which are perfect for someone like me who is not a great cook.
I love to get the quiche trio, their butterfly shrimp and breaded calamari.
It's all so easy to prepare and so delicious.
Enjoy so many ways to save on your Thanksgiving spread at Whole Foods Market.
Lemonada.
We're here for More Happier, a podcast where we get happier.
It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I can already feel the chaos of the holiday season looming.
So we thought what might actually help?
Let's revisit the Deck the Halls episode we did a few years ago.
Yes, the one where we each suggested a bunch of quick holiday prep tasks like gathering the gift wrap, checking the pantry, clearing space in the fridge.
Yeah, this was all small things, nothing major, just manageable steps to help you feel like you're moving forward instead of falling behind.
One of my favorite happiness hacks is to do something that your future self will thank you for.
And this episode is all about that.
And after this aired we heard from so many people who said it gave them exactly the kind of structure they needed to get going on their holidays.
Yeah, and now that we're heading into our first holiday season with Taffy and our second holiday in the open door phase, I am trying to stay steady and still say yes to the season.
So it feels like the right time to bring it back.
So here we are in 2023 walking through how it works.
Okay, this episode was inspired by the very enthusiastic response we got to our unusual episode 443, which we called the Clear the Decks episode.
And Elizabeth, I don't know if you remember, but in the Happier Ladies podcast one of the sisters referred to this as a strange episode.
It was a little strange.
So what we did is we went through a list of things to do to just clear the decks and we suggested everybody.
Do them as they listen to the episode.
So we suggested people pause the episode and go do the thing.
Of course, many people just listened to it and then did it.
Right.
But it was fun for those who wanted to sort of play along, so to speak.
Yeah, the idea with episode 443 is September is the other January.
And so to help everybody get ready into the post-Labor Day reentry, it was like okay, here are a bunch of quick tasks that we can all do to clear the decks.
Yes.
But—
Because people really wanted us to do it again.
We wanted to keep going with the deck theme.
So instead of, I am very proud of us for this, Elizabeth.
Clear the Decks is now Deck the Halls.
Yes, which several listeners suggested that title.
Several listeners suggested.
And also the fact that even if you don't celebrate kind of the holidays, it's Deckember.
Oh, great.
So we got a deck if you mispronounce December.
So the idea is we will pause the show as we go to allow you to run and do a manageable quick, one-minute-ish task to help you get ready for the holidays.
So if you do this along with us, by the time you finish listening, you will have accomplished a lot.
So if you were in the car, if you were walking your dog, whatever you might want to save it and listen to it when you can run around, or Or you might want to listen to it now, so you can be thinking of the kinds of things that you'll do, and then re-listen to it and follow along.
Yeah, and Gretchen, some of these are not a minute.
Like figuring out what you want to donate as you put up your Christmas decorations will take more than a minute.
But many of them can be accomplished in a minute.
True.
I think of that one as being a minute-ish because you're already doing your decorating.
And so it's just take that minute as you go to say – hey, am I realistically going to ever use this again?
No, I'm not.
I'll put it in a donate pile.
So in that way, so the decorating could take a long time, but it's the decision of a minute.
But point taken, some of these are more than a minute.
With Clear the Deck, there was a couple of things where people were like, come on, this is not.
I think it was clean your car or something.
People were like, this is not a minute.
So poetic license, you know, you get it.
And the reason that this is a happiness exercise is that, first of all, it's so energizing to get things crossed off the list, to make preparations that save us time and hassle later and live in the atmosphere of growth.
Elizabeth, you're always talking about the atmosphere of growth.
We get when we get things done.
Yeah.
And also things that can be done at any time are often done at no time.
And so if you are the kind of person who just needs somebody to say like okay, do it now, here it is.
Absolutely.
And Gretchen, we should mention that some of these items require a purchase.
So when we say buy, obviously you know you can't go to the store and buy something once again in a minute, but you can add it to your shopping list.
Yes, again, these are one-minute-ish things.
And as we go, if there are things that you don't get to, do not worry about writing them down or noting them in any way.
I'm going to make this into a bingo card.
Love the bingo card which you can get at happiercastcom.
Slash, deck the halls, all lowercase, just deck the halls.
And so you can do it as a bingo card if that kind of gamifies it for you rebels or other people who like to gamify it.
Oh, and you know Alyssa, what I noticed is because it's a bingo, we made the list of 24 for a bingo card and we're heading into 2024, which is just a happy accident, but it's fun.
Yes.
Incidentally, It's also the 50th episode of More Happier Today.
Yay.
Really?
We've done 50?
Yes.
Wow.
I would have said like 25.
I had no idea we've done 50.
Yeah.
Well, happy anniversary, everybody.
Coming up on two years.
Yeah.
Well, Chuck, thank you for that.
Ta-da.
We love a ta-da.
Ta-da.
Thank you, Chuck.
And a great number.
Excellent.
Okay.
So Elizabeth, let us launch in.
Deck the halls, get yourself ready here the quick, easy task, follow along and if you get to the end, you will have made a lot of headway into heading into the holidays yes.
So, number one set a date to put up holiday decorations.
Yes, something that can be done at any time is often done at no time.
So if you're a person who likes to have something on the calendar, Put it on the calendar so that you don't get to the day before and realize that you haven't put up your decorations.
As I did with Halloween.
Yes, this was partly inspired by your experience.
Number two, take an inventory of holiday baking supplies.
If you know you're going to be doing a lot of baking, do you have your vanilla?
Do you have enough sugar?
Do you have sprinkles?
All those things so that you can put them on your list and get them conveniently the next time you go to the store.
Number three, as you decorate, identify and donate anything you don't use.
This is really good, I think, because storing all this stuff can be a nuisance.
And why store and move around every year, take it out, put it back in if you're not using it?
So consolidate and then also get those things to someone who will enjoy them.
We just did this in Kansas City with our parents.
And first of all, it was super fun to do.
And also, they really consolidated, and I think it's going to make it a lot easier for them.
Because holiday decorating in our household is a super big deal.
So anything that makes it easier is very welcome.
Yes.
Number four, send a note to a childhood friend.
Well, I love this.
I love connecting with my old friends, Gretchen.
I've been talking about that lately.
And I mean, I would say you could just even text.
It doesn't have to be an actual note.
Right.
Send a note in whatever format suits you.
Absolutely.
Yes.
Number five clear your freezer and fridge to make room for leftovers or also things that you're getting ready to serve, because the holidays tends to be a time where we're dealing with a lot of things going in, things coming out, things going back in.
Yes.
I just cleaned out my condiments, by the way, just today.
Got a little clutter clearing in.
Gold star for you.
Thank you.
Number six, figure out your holiday outfits.
Oh, that is always a question, isn't it?
And in LA, I don't know if it's going to be, you know, 65 or 85.
Right.
And if there's some little thing you need again, it's just nice to do it in a leisurely way and not realize day of that you've got to run out and get some, whatever it might be, to complete your outfit.
Tights.
Number seven, identify five gifts to buy.
Alyssa, you are doing your holiday Christmas shopping early.
You're inspiring me.
So I've started a list and I want to add five gifts to that right away.
Number eight, sign up to be an organ donor.
Gretchen, you feel strongly about this.
Yes.
My husband Jamie, had hepatitis C and, thanks to science, he is now cured, which is amazing, miraculous.
But it got me very focused on the importance of organ donation, and this is something you can do in 10 seconds.
You do not need one minute to do this.
Go to donatelifenet, sign up and tell everybody in your life that you would want to be an organ donor so that, if the situation arises, they know what you would wish.
This is a way you could save many, many lives and improve the lives of many people, and you can do it from your sofa or from your desk, and it's a really important thing to do that can be done Very quickly.
So important, Gretchen.
Number nine, check your supply of wrapping paper, gift bags, tape, ribbons, all that stuff.
Again, if you know that you need something, you can get it in a leisurely way, instead of realizing at the very moment that you need it that you do not have it.
So doing a little bit of evaluation now can make it much easier to do that later.
Yeah, and I will add, Gretch, those little stickers that say to and from.
I am a big fan of those, and I always make sure I have a whole packet of those.
See, I'm a big fan of the gift bag because you can reuse the gift bag so easily, but sometimes you know you need all sizes.
So I would say that, yeah.
Number 10, buy batteries.
Especially for those of us who have children, so many gifts require batteries.
It's good to have all the different sizes that you are going to need on hand.
Coming up, we have more ideas for how to deck the halls.
We will be back in a minute.
Now, Alyssa, you know that I am not a cook.
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Elizabeth, you know we are always talking about the small things that we can do that make a big impact, not just in our own lives but for the planet as well.
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And we are back with our Deck the Halls exercise.
Number 11 is to make any year-end charitable contributions.
The year is coming to a close, so if you want to get that done in 2023, get it done now.
Number 12, add three items to your own wish list.
Yeah.
Our family are big believers in making lists of what you want for the holidays, and it's very helpful to others to add items.
And you don't want to have to sit down and do it all in one stretch because you never remember.
Yes.
It's like the 24 for 24 list.
You don't want to sit down and do it all at once.
Yeah, it's very hard.
And Alyssa, I would say in our family, it's almost considered an obligation.
Like it's poor family decorum not to give a wish list, because then it's saying that other people have to do all that work instead of you doing the soul searching of what it is that you want.
In my family, I'm like, do not buy yourself one single thing.
I'm scolding Jamie if I see him buy something like, you know, a portable umbrella.
I'm like, that's supposed to go in your stocking.
Don't buy that for yourself.
So starting in October.
Number 13.
Okay, Elizabeth, I am so excited about this one.
Okay, this is to create a five senses portrait. of your ideal holiday.
So it could be your ideal holiday, like if you had every element that you wish, like there was snow on the ground, or it could be sort of your most quintessential holiday.
And Elizabeth, we've talked about this.
We are gonna do a Kansas City Christmas portrait, because Kansas City Christmas always unfold in this very, very classic way which, as somebody who loves traditions, I always want it to be exactly the same.
So I'm so excited to do this.
Yes, I'm excited too.
And you know what?
One thing I love about doing the portrait and just the whole deck, the halls of it Gretchen, is it gets you in the holiday mood.
Yes, yes.
You know?
Yes.
Well, and also that you don't think, oh my gosh, we forgot to go to Andre's and buy gingerbread, cookies or whatever, because oh, that's part of Kansas City Christmas, or whatever it might be.
So we will share that once it's done.
It could be a fun thing for all of us to do around the table too.
Yes, that would be fun.
Oh and by the way Gretch, don't you have a space for a five senses portrait in the five senses journal?
Yeah, no, it's the five senses journal.
It's daily noting of your five senses, but you're right.
There are many places where you can do different kinds of five senses portraits.
So yeah.
Oh, that'd be fun.
We'll do Kansas City Christmas in my journal.
Number 14, listen to your favorite holiday song.
I love this one.
Yes.
You know, I'm not a music person.
I realize that I'm a song lover, not a music lover.
That was one of the things I learned about myself in writing Life in Five Senses.
And one of the things I realized is I truly love carols.
I really, really love traditional carols.
Do you have a favorite?
It could be Good King Wenceslas.
It could be Carol of the Bells.
I like a kind of melancholy, almost sort of Eerie.
I think I got to go with Santa Baby.
Oh, so you like the more pop upbeat.
Yeah.
Okay.
Well, we'll play them all in Kansas City.
Number 15.
Take the gift-giving quiz if you are struggling.
Back to the idea of making a list.
If you're struggling with figuring out ideas for someone on your list or you want to get more ideas about yourself because you don't really know the kind of thing that you would want to add to your list.
If you take my gift-giving quiz, which is at GretchenRubincom slash quiz,
It will give you an analysis.
Is this a tried and true, easy to please, enthusiast, connoisseur?
And it will give you ideas.
Like Elizabeth, you told me that Adam is a connoisseur and that was like very clarifying for me in terms of okay, what kinds of things would Adam like to get?
Yes.
And I am an easy to please.
Yes, which is a very popular category, especially during the holiday time.
Number 16.
Add one fun seasonal activity to your calendar.
Is there anything you're thinking about doing?
Well, Gretchen, I want to add to our calendar escape room.
You know, I love us doing an escape room when we're all together in Kansas City.
I don't know if that's strictly holiday, but it feels holiday to me because we always do it during the holidays.
We'll just declare it a holiday activity because it's something that we do together.
Escape rooms have exploded in popularity.
Like the first time we did it, we had one choice.
Now we have so many choices when we go.
And I want to give a shout out.
If you're in the New York City area, if you go to the Museum of the City of New York, you pay what you wish to go to that museum.
They are having the Great Borough Bake Off for gingerbread.
I love gingerbread. fancy gingerbread houses.
I could look at them forever.
And they're doing a competition, and they all look like famous New York City buildings.
And it's super fun.
That is fun.
It smells so good.
They're so charming.
If you're looking for an activity, a fun seasonal activity, I highly recommend the gingerbread competition.
Super fun.
Number 17.
If you are a holiday cards person, if you send out holiday cards online, Order your stamps.
Get those done.
Number 18, free space.
Every bingo card needs a free space, and this is ours.
Pick something that you need to do to deck the halls.
Yes.
Number 19, choose a one-word or one-phrase theme for the season.
And we've talked about this in the past, Elizabeth.
What do you think you're going to choose for your theme this year?
All right, Gretch.
Well, I want to, over the holidays, let go of all the stress of the past year and the strike and just focus on enjoying myself, enjoying loved ones.
And Something that embodies that for me is ring-a-ling from Silver Bells.
Oh.
You know, the bells go ring-a-ling and I just think that's a fun phrase that I like to say and it's going to remind me to have fun.
Oh, that's good.
I like that.
And mine is kind of in the same vein.
It's funny.
We're like, the holidays are so festive.
We have to remember to have fun.
Mine is the phrase laughing all the way from Jingle Bells.
So, Elizabeth, we will remind ourselves.
Ring-a-ling, laughing all the way.
Yeah, it's good.
It's setting a nice tone.
Number 20.
Write a holiday to-do list or a could-do list or both.
This is something that works for all four tendencies.
Rebels often don't like a to-do list, but they can do a could-do list, might-could list.
Or maybe you want to do both.
Some things that you need to get done and some things that would be nice to get done.
And I love a to-do list.
Coming up, our final four Deck the Halls items.
But first, this break.
One thing that we've often mentioned on the podcast is how, when you personalize a gift, it feels so much more meaningful.
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Shutterfly makes it so easy to create meaningful gifts from photos that you already have.
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This is something that I've done for years.
I have so many Shutterfly photo books.
You can create a blanket, an ornament.
Elizabeth, how many mugs have we given to our parents with different photographs on them?
It is such a thoughtful way to connect with people during the holidays and to give a gift that feels so special and something that they will treasure forever.
Yes.
Make something that means something this holiday.
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All right, Gretch, we are back with Deck the Halls.
Number 21.
Finalize any undecided holiday plans.
Do you know what days you're coming and you're going?
It can make things a lot easier to do this planning early, especially if you have to buy tickets or make any kind of arrangements.
Number 22.
Finalize Buy some seasonal greenery or flowers.
Maybe a nice poinsettia.
I like to have two out front during the holidays.
One thing every year, this is my underbuyer self versus my life in five senses self.
Every year I think I should buy narcissus plants because I love the way they smell and they're very holiday-ish.
And then my underbuyer self is like, why buy them?
Why buy them?
And then my life in five senses person is like, buy them.
Enjoy Amada Splurge.
You will love them.
It's a holiday decoration.
You love the smell.
And then the underbuyer part of me is like, don't buy them, don't buy them.
So it's a battle each year.
We will see which little devil on my shoulder will win this year.
I'm inspired.
Okay.
Number 23, eat a holiday treat that you enjoyed as a child.
Elizabeth, what would this be for us?
What is something that we had as a child?
Ooh, I have a thought.
What would you say?
I'm thinking of all the different kinds of cookies that we would make, like the peanut butter cookies covered in chocolate that Dad would make.
Oh, those were so good.
I was thinking of the coffee cake with a kind of brown sugar filling.
Icing that our grandparents would bring when they would come for Kansas City in that yellow tin.
Yes.
Of course, Topsy's popcorn.
Oh, Topsy's popcorn for sure.
And finally, number 24.
Choose a holiday movie.
So often.
We all get together as a family and you know you want to watch a movie, but then you have to have a half an hour to an hour discussion about what movie.
It's great if you choose it beforehand.
Yeah, or be thinking of some choices to throw out to the group.
My own personal favorite is the original Miracle on 34th Street.
I tear up every time that little girl talks in Dutch. and Kris Kringle understands her.
This is my question for you, Elizabeth.
Maybe you know the answer.
Why is Die Hard?
A, am I right that it's a Christmas movie?
And B, why in the heck is it a Christmas movie?
I have never seen the movie.
Yes, people do think of Die Hard as a Christmas movie, because Bruce Willis comes for Christmas and the whole thing takes place during an office Christmas party.
But you and I, we're going to watch it over break.
That's our choice for a holiday movie.
We often watch Elf.
This year we'll watch Die Hard.
Okay.
It feels like an untraditional choice, but I guess it's a traditional choice.
Okay, so those are the 24 things.
We hope you all did them with us listeners, or even just a few of them, and that you got a lot of satisfaction out of it.
Yes, give yourself credit.
Even checking off one or two things can make a real difference.
Yeah, that's right.
Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
That is us.
Secret of adulthood from Voltaire.
The goal is just to feel a little bit more on top of things, just a little bit more ready.
Yes, I will be very happy to be a little less overwhelmed going into the holidays.
Bye, Gretch.
Bye, Elizabeth.
The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago.
The second best time is now.
From the Onward Project.
Hi Gretchen, Craig Robinson and my little sister Michelle here.
We host a new podcast called IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson.
We know you're the queen of giving advice, so we wanted to get a few tips from you.
You know, Gretchen, a lot of our listeners are going through some major life changes.
What advice do you have for folks who are trying to stay grounded in the midst of major life transitions?
Craig and Michelle, I am so happy to be talking to you.
Here are a few questions that might help us gain perspective.
So consider questions like this.
What activities take up my time but are not particularly useful or stimulating for me?
Do I spend a lot of time on something that's important to someone else but is not very important to me?
If I could magically change one habit in my life, what would I choose?
And here's a question.
Would I like to have more time in solitude restorative solitude or would I like to have more time with friends?
You know, just thinking about questions like this can help us start to figure out how we might make our lives happier.
With greater self-knowledge, we're better able to make hard decisions that reflect ourselves, our own nature, our own interests, our own values.
In my own case, I have found that the more my life reflects my nature, the happier I get and the more grounded I feel when I'm going through a period of major change or transition.
For more great advice, search for IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson wherever you get podcasts.
You can listen to Issa Rae on letting go of certain friendships, Kiki Palmer on why disappointment is actually the key to career success, Seth and Lauren Rogan on caring for aging parents, and so many more.
