Chappy News

Essentials Hampers

Three hampers were given out this term to help us connect more with our school community. Congratulations to Azalia-Hart Rogers, Daniel Foreman, and Ryan Grant-Stewart and their families. Finally, thank you to Vinnies for helping us provide hampers to 12 families this year.

Five Ways to overcome Stress this Christmas

Adapted from www.focusonthefamily.com

Christmas can be a stressful time and tends to produce an added measure of anxiety into the mix of life. A thousand questions run through our minds. What gift should I buy my aunt? What should I bring for dinner? Will so-and-so be there? We haven’t seen each other in a year, so what will we talk about? Will I have to spend time with people I don’t get along with? Further, our expectations for this time of year don’t often reflect reality. Many times, we attach our perceptions about the way things ‘should’ be to those expectations. So, in light of everything going on, how do you maintain your sanity and safety, create boundaries, increase communication, and avoid conflict? Here are five ways to overcome stress this season.

Create a list of personal expectations. The number one catalyst for communication miscues and conflicts are misguided or unmet expectations. Usually, we develop a picture of what we will experience in our heads, but we don’t tend to verbalise or write down those expectations. Then, when the experience doesn’t play out as we imagined or thought it should, we become irritable and disappointed. These emotions have the potential to rub off on others. Try creating a mindset of flexibility and have an open mind when it comes to the holidays. Then enjoy how things play out. 

Pre-plan your battles. Think about what could go wrong during the Christmas season. Make a list of the worst-case scenarios and brainstorm how you could handle each situation ahead of time. Think through the details of how you could respond or react to each case. This exercise allows you the opportunity to develop a planned response rather than reacting in the heat of the moment. It will also allow for improved communication and could reduce possible conflicts.

Focus on your emotional intelligence. During the Christmas period, it becomes obvious that emotions tend to get the best of us. Try to maintain awareness of your emotional status and adjust accordingly. Suppose you know that particular activities or specific family members rub you the wrong way or tend to push your buttons. It is your responsibility to control your reactions and set appropriate boundaries. Pay close attention to how patient you are. If your patience is running thin, you are probably moving towards being emotionally overwhelmed and in need of a break. Try retreating to a bedroom or finding a quiet place where you can re-centre and refocus before re-engaging with others. 

Remind yourself that Christmas is not about you. In our commercial society, it’s easy to develop a mindset that the Christmas period is about us. However, this belief will often lead to disappointment and hurt feelings. Instead of holding onto a selfish perspective, take a step back and recognise that unmet needs from your childhood might not be resolved over the season. Instead, develop a mindset of curiosity, practise a posture of seeking to understand, cultivate a desire to get to know someone else a bit deeper, try to listen, and find hope this season. 

Find ways to engage hope. Many of us have struggled this year. This Christmas, find ways to focus on what matters most. The GLAD exercise can help you refocus your attention towards finding hope:

G – Name something you are GRATEFUL for today.

L – Name something you LEARNED today.

A – Name something you ACCOMPLISHED today.

D – Name something that brought you DELIGHT today.

You can use this exercise to refocus your mindset. Journal your responses before bed and share them with your spouse or another family member. Alternatively, you can use this exercise to start conversations with your family as you sit around the dinner table.

It is important to remember that ignoring stress could result in more significant problems. If stress builds up, the cortisol hormone can negatively affect our immune systems, leading to sickness. Furthermore, unmitigated stress can lead to negative thinking patterns, which can lead to bouts of anxiety and depression. This Christmas, then, find ways to care for yourself, relieve stress, and find hope. 

Christmas Community Events

Gympie Christmas Lights Competition – Monday 2 December onwards. Take a trip around the Gympie region to see some amazing displays. Place your vote for People’s Choice and you could also win a prize! Get your map from https://gympiechristmaslig.wixsite.com/gympie-christmas-lig

Theebine Christmas Meet and Greet – Theebine Memorial Hall, Tuesday 3 December, 6pm onwards. Enjoy a BBQ and live entertainment, and be sure to grab a ticket in the ham raffles.

Pie Creek Community Party – Pie Creek Hall, Saturday 7 December, 6pm onwards. Enjoy a festive evening filled with Christmas spirit, featuring a barbeque meal, live music, a multi-draw Christmas raffle, and a special visit from Santa.

Mary Christmas 2024 – Mary Street, Wednesday 11 and Wednesday 18 December, 5pm to 9pm.  There will be something for the whole family to enjoy, including Christmas carols, a trackless train, street entertainers, food trucks, market stalls, classic cars, decorated trees, and boutique shopping.

Christmas in the Park – Nelson Reserve, Saturday 14 December, 5pm onwards. Santa will be making a special appearance, and there will be free inflatables, a petting zoo, and food trucks. Carols begin at 7pm and the night will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks display at 8.30pm.

Christmas Lights Display – Gympie Baptist Church, Sunday 15 December to Monday 23 December, 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Come experience an interactive display where you can interact with the story of Christmas being told through colour.