The holiday season is always so stressful. There is so much to do, and there never seems to be enough time to get any of it done. You’ve got gifts to buy, parties to attend, and errands to run. Despite this, you can have a less stressful Christmas. Here are some tips:
One way to cut down on stress this holiday season is to get your holiday shopping done early.
With the pandemic still going on, it’s possible that there may be more panic buying this year, like there was at the start of the pandemic. The earlier you get your Christmas gifts, the better. Since many hot-ticket items will sell out quickly, either begin buying them now, or opt for other options for gifts. Look for items similar to this season’s must-haves at thrift stores, small businesses, or online. If you have kids, now might be a good time to talk about expectations for Christmas. Ask them what they want, and if you’re unsure if you can get that particular toy, ask for a few backup ideas. Let your kids know upfront what you will be able to get and what might need to wait for next year, or a birthday. This way your children won’t be disappointed come Christmas Day, and you won’t have to stress about doing the impossible.
Another way to have less stress over the coming months is to take time for yourself.
Even though there’s a lot to do, it’s important to rest and let yourself recover from stress. Take a hot bubble bath, and unwind in the warm water. Light a candle and chill out in the dark, or leave the lights on and read a book while you soak. If you’d rather go outside, take a walk or run. If you live where it snows, make a snowman or go sledding. Remember to bundle up if the weather is too cold. You can also relax through meditation or yoga. If you are short on time during the day, try to make sure you get enough sleep at night. At least eight hours of sleep each night will make you much better equipped to handle the stress during the day.
You can have less stress during the holidays by getting your holiday cards done early.
It’s nice to be able to send out holiday cards to let your friends and family know how you are doing and that you are thinking of them. But it’s hard to have one more thing to add to your to-do list. Taking care of holiday cards in advance means less to do later and you can get your cards out to all your loved ones. Find some pictures from a recent vacation to put on the cards, or take a few family photos this month to use instead. Use Basic Invite for your holiday cards this year. They have tons of options for Christmas cards or holiday cards with photos. All of their cards are customizable, so you can make sure your cards look just the way you want them to. They have just the holiday card you’re looking for.
A final way to cut down on stress this holiday season is by limiting the amount of activities you attend this year.
There are always dozens of different events to go to at Christmas, but you don’t need to go to all of them. Overbooking yourself is a sure way to get stressed out. Find out how many different events your kids will go to for school or extra curricular activities. Those events will most likely need to be a priority. You’ll also want to check and see if any friends or family members you are close with are planning any parties or get-togethers. If the list of events that family or friends are having is too long, then decide which parties you can skip. Talk with the hosts beforehand and explain that you won’t be able to make it this year to avoid any hurt feelings. Your friends will be sad you can’t attend, but they’ll understand.
Although the holidays can be difficult, there are ways to cut down on the stress and focus on having fun. Avoid holiday stress by getting gifts early, take time for yourself, order your holiday cards as soon as you can, and limit the amount of events you go to. I hope you have a happy and stress-free holiday season this year.
