“Don’t touch that – that’s dessert for our guests!”
    “You can’t wear that dress – that’s too fancy for today.”
“One day we’ll pull out that fondue pot or [insert other space-sucking kitchen gadget you have]”
    “Dangit – that Groupon for the [fun event] just expired – maybe next time.”
Are you guilty of the “one day” syndrome? Â How many things do you have in your life that are for special occasions only? Â The fancy dress, the fine china, the awesome gift you saw at that little shop…
I know I have been guilty of saving things for a special occasion…and it never happens. Â Or I forget about it. Â Or I find something else. Â Let me give you examples:
- The fancy candle that I’ll light for some occasion….and never do because when you have a house full of guests (with kids) the last thing you want to do is have an open flame sitting out.
- The blasted bottle of champagne.  Why oh why do we always hold out on this one? *news flash – it’s not the last one ever, and you are home with your love – why not get a little toasty and enjoy it – there’s a bedroom close by!
- That fondue pot?  Going on five years since I used it last.  What the heck?  “One day” we’ll do tempura veggie fondue for the whole family.  “One day” we’ll have a party and use it (my practical voice is saying this thing needs to get thee to Goodwill immediately – hot oil and toddlers dipping things?  Bad idea).
- I’ve bought Christmas gifts in February. Â By the time Christmas rolls around, I’ve forgotten about the damn thing hiding in the back of the closet and already bought something else.
My mother is a pro at making every day a “special occasion.” Â Although she loves birthdays, holidays and special events, fanciness isn’t saved for the “one day.” Â She has been my example for how to treat my family as my top VIPs. Â Instead of holding on to things, she gives freely and openly and invests just as much in a family dinner as she would for the President.
Growing up (and in our home now), every day is an opportunity for “special”. Â We can express gratitude, appreciation, respect and love every day. Â We can break away from the norm and go on an adventure (in our own back yard), eat at the fancy restaurant (that looks a lot like our own kitchen), and dress up like princesses every day. Â We can bring the “one days” in more and more, and allow for each day to be whatever we make it.
One of the biggies is respect – I love and respect my family enough to make an effort. Â I love them enough to get up, get dressed, and work to make today a great one. Â Yes, I get a “buy” some days. Â I take a break, wear my sweatpants, and chill out. Â And yet I still have the opportunity to make it special by even allowing those days when I’m fried to transform from ugh to ahh by adding in some spa time – painting our nails, taking a mommy time-out in the bathtub, or whatever I need to rejuvenate.
My family is important enough to me for me to put forth my best with them.  They don’t come second fiddle, and they are worth the work – they are my priority, so why not do it up right?  Make as many days you can a special occasion – you are with the ones who matter most, so give them the best.
So, from my mama’s home – and now my home – to yours, I offer you this handy-dandy printable (click on the little pop-out to download the PDF) of some fun ideas to make your family the top VIPs:
If you want to read more about how I grew up and how we rocked the special occasions, check out my mother’s new book,
Creating a Haven of Peace: When You’re Feeling Down, Finances Are Flat, and Tempers Are Rising
And on that fabulous respect note:
If you like the printable, let me know, and spread the love!
Oh how fun – a week of yes – lordy I can imagine what the kids would come up with for that one!
I was just thinking about this! I’m really guilty of putting off the special things. I did a “week of yes” from Christmas to New Year’s, where I said yes to basically everything the kids asked for. I love the VIP ideas – I’m going to try to add them into our lives more.