Do you ever wish you could hit a “skip to next track” button on the holidays? I know I have…and I actually enjoy this time of year! Gift-giving, cozy clothes, pretty/shiny things, sparkling trees, dazzling lights…so much magic to it.

But then there’s the (da da dum): stress. While the holidays are supposed to be a time to relax and genuinely appreciate our blessing and loved ones, it’s often filled with a bunch of shoulds.

“I should get my neighbor a gift because he gave me one.”

“I should get my sister a nicer gift this holiday since she always spends so much money on me.”

“I should be happier even though I’m not really feeling it.”

And that’s where we fall into the stress loop: feeling as if we have to pack our home with decorations, buy a ton of gifts and be ho, ho happy, no matter what.

My grandmother gave me advice many years ago. “Be happy with enough,” she said. And its something I always employ during the holidays. Because Christmas is not a contest but a time of appreciation, of gratitude.

So the next time you feel you’re on the holiday rollercoaster of stress, remind yourself to be happy with enough. Don’t overextend. Dare to be present during the holidays instead. Take some time for yourself. Buy yourself that sparkly little something you’ve always wanted as a personal reminder that you count too.

There was a time when people didn’t even exchange gifts but memories instead. Or one gift would be exchanged…and everyone was thrilled with that arrangement. Can you imagine?

So dial it back if the holidays are stressing you out a little. It’s all right to do just enough and no more.

Giving. We hear a ton about it each holiday. And we think we have it covered, right? “I’m a giving person” you say. And undoubtedly, you are. But giving is a constantly evolving process. Its not a fixed amount of generosity but something that expands and grows as you expand and grow.

What does that mean? It means giving can (and should) be a little uncomfortable. You can and should be giving outside of your limits. That doesn’t have to mean financially per se, but personally.

A small story as an example: a friend of mine adored a pair of earrings of mine. Every time I wore them, she swooned and touched them and sighed.

My aunt had given them to me so they had meant a lot to me, especially since she had passed several years before. You can guess where this story is going: I gave that pair of earrings to my friend for Christmas. She wears them religiously. On some levels, I feel that’s where they belong: with her. (My aunt would have appreciated this act as well, I’m sure.)

Was it easy? No. Sometimes I still want those earrings back! That’s when giving is uncomfortable: when you don’t really want to do it but you do it anyway.

So remember that this holiday: give past your comfort zone. Do something you really don’t want to do for others. Because ultimately giving is not about you, it’s about them.  

I was particularly struck by this quote by J. Donald Walters and how it applies to our work. Walters is an internationally known author, lecturer, and composer and considered as one of the world’s foremost authorities on meditation and yoga. A spiritual guru, if you will.

How does a man so seemingly different than a custom design jeweler relate to our work so well? Because yes, custom design has a spiritual element. When we create a piece for a client not only does their heart and soul go into the final product…but so does ours.

Now, people have all sorts of things custom designed. But think about jewelry for instance. Or more specifically, think of wedding jewelry. When else would you want something imbued by the spirit of the wearer and the maker? How could a box store ever compete?

We’re proud of the work that we do in our Scottsdale studio. Three generations strong. And there’s a reason its been the backbone of our family for so long: the spirit of what we do exceeds the final product, like this wise author has touched upon.

If you’re looking for jewelry steeped in spirit and soul, look no further. We can create a piece of jewelry that becomes bigger than the piece of jewelry itself. Contact us for more information. 

We’re so proud of this recent custom design engagement ring, we’re practically beaming!

Interested in a custom design ring like this? We can make your dream ring a wearable reality.

How to get your dream ring:

It’s simple. Share your ideas, images or Pinterest boards with us. Or have a one-on-one custom design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll combine your favorite elements to create a completely unique ring just for you.

Choose your gemstone:

Mined diamonds
Moissanite
Other lab grown diamonds (Pure Grown, Brilliant Earth)
Custom cut gemstones (sapphires, rubies, etc.)

Choose your metal:

14kt or 18kt gold

Mocha gold
Platinum
Rose,white or yellow gold
Palladium

Share your ideas via:

Pinterest boards
Collected images
Written or drawn ideas

Be involved in the process:

Review your personal project page for updates.
Provide feedback throughout the entire process.
Share updates with friends and family.
Review a 3D print of your piece to ensure complete satisfaction before it’s made.
See a professional video of your piece after it’s complete.
Have fun…custom design is a genuinely creative process!

Unsure of what you want?

That’s okay too. Our seasoned team of custom designers is waiting to talk to you. We’ll ask you just the right questions to get you started with the magical process of custom design jewelry.

Call (888) 724-8222 or reach us at support@schubach.com. We generally respond within 24 hours (and never share your email address). Or, use our online support form.

A collection of unusual diamond colors and shapes we are currently making pieces for.

Kite Set

#1: 1.60ct H, VS2, GIA
#2: 1.69ct, F, SI1 GIA

We’re so proud of this recent custom design engagement ring, we’re practically beaming!

Interested in a custom design ring like this? We can make your dream ring a wearable reality.

How to get your dream ring:

It’s simple. Share your ideas, images or Pinterest boards with us. Or have a one-on-one custom design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll combine your favorite elements to create a completely unique ring just for you.

Choose your gemstone:

• Mined diamonds
• Moissanite
• Other lab grown diamonds (Pure Grown, Brilliant Earth)
• Custom cut gemstones (sapphires, rubies, etc.)

Choose your metal:

• 14kt or 18kt gold
• Mocha gold
• Platinum
• Rose,white or yellow gold
• Palladium

Share your ideas via:

• Pinterest boards
• Collected images
• Written or drawn ideas

Be involved in the process:

• Review your personal project page for updates.

• Provide feedback throughout the entire process.

• Share updates with friends and family.

• Review a 3D print of your piece to ensure complete satisfaction before it’s made.

• See a professional video of your piece after it’s complete.

• Have fun…custom design is a genuinely creative process!

Unsure of what you want?

That’s okay too. Our seasoned team of custom designers is waiting to talk to you. We’ll ask you just the right questions to get you started with the magical process of custom design jewelry.

Call (888) 724-8222 or reach us at support@schubach.com. We generally respond within 24 hours (and never share your email address). Or, use our online support form.