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I'll admit it.
I'm one of those people that start their holiday shopping in October and put their tree up right after Remembrance Day. I'll watch the cheesiest of holiday movies for weeks on end and I relish making snowflakes out of paper in my spare time.
It's no secret that people are the most caring and generous around the holiday season which is for the most part why I start the festivities well in advance. I want to keep the excitement and jolliness around for as long as possible.
Starting my holiday mode early also means that I keep relatively organized with my holiday plans, shopping and scheduling. Of course, I know not everyone is like this and I know how stressful the holiday season can be.
In the hopes to minimize your holiday stress and maximize your holiday cheer, I'm sharing some of my own tips for keeping your cool this Christmas. You can do this!
1) Start any holiday shopping as early as possible
Immediately following Halloween, the malls double and triple their usual traffic. If crowds of people give you anxiety (like me) then it's best to avoid the malls as much as possible.
If you do have to pick something up at the mall, pick a time when the mall isn't as busy - right when it opens is best. If you already have an idea of what you're looking for, you'll cut down efficiently on time, too.
An even better option, do your holiday shopping online. You can beat the crowds, and stay in your pajamas. It's a win-win.
2) Minimize your shopping list
The thought of giving and receiving gifts can give people a lot of stress. Sometimes we feel obligated to get someone a gift because we know they're likely to give us one, or we're unsure of what to give someone. Not to mention, it's expensive and time consuming to buy holiday gifts. Just thinking about it is making me a tad anxious!
To make your life easier, make a list of all the people you'd like to gift this season and see if you can cross out a few names or acknowledge them in a different way. For example, give them a gift that you don't have to buy such as quality time, something that you've made or something you can regift. Even something as simple as writing a heartfelt note can go a long way in warming the hearts of loved ones (and cut down your stress levels!)
Likewise, if everyone in your family or friends circle swaps gifts, consider doing a Secret Santa style exchange instead so there's less gifts to buy. The less gifts you have to buy, the less stress you have.
3) Instead of buying gifts, consider gifts from the heart
It's no secret that money is a huge stress factor during the holidays, but it doesn't have to be. As concluded in The Grinch, Christmas doesn't come in a box - it's not about the gifts and commercialism, it's about sharing joy and love with those around you.
This is why I'm pleased to hear that more and more people are adapting a "homemade Christmas" nowdays. The idea behind a homemade Christmas is to only give gifts which you either make, already have, or is in the form of quality time. It's much more cost efficient, and makes gift giving a lot more personal. I'm working at adapting this attitude more and more each year.
Another modern holiday concept is the "minimalist Christmas" - gifts in this tradition revolve around things which bring joy and practicality to life. Often this includes something to eat, something to read, something to wear, and something they need. You'll see no useless knick-knacks in a minimalist's stocking!
4) Don't go to every party
If you've got a lot of invitations for cookie swaps, family gatherings and parties it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and short on time. But guess what - you're not obligated to do all the things and you can still have a happy holiday.
Instead of trying to fit everything into your schedule this year, pick a few favourite/essential events and just commit to those. Yes, you may miss out on a few things but you'll be able to more fully enjoy the few events you do attend without the extra pressure or stress.
5) If family gatherings are stressful, bring your own sunshine
I know how complicated family dinners can be - the obnoxious relatives, the embarrassing stories or haunting past - it's enough to make anyone dread a family event. But you don't have to do it alone.
If you're able to bring a guest, bring someone that will laugh through the awkward conversations with you, or can make you smile around negative people.
If a guest isn't an option, try limiting your visits to shorter periods of time and if it deeply makes you anxious and unhappy, maybe consider skipping it all together.
6) It's okay to say no
If something stresses you out and causes you to loose sleep, consider whether or not it's absolutely necessary. While you may be convinced that you have to do certain things, stop and ask yourself - why? If something truly makes you miserable, why do it? You do have a choice and you do have power.
If you do decide to duck out on something and you know it'll hurt someone you love, kindly let them know why you're choosing to opt out. They may not understand, but you can offer to make it up to them at a better time.
7) Don't set expectations
We've all done it - dreamed about the perfect holiday. For some, it might be snuggling up by the fire on Christmas Eve and waking up to snow and the perfect gifts under a tree. Or maybe it's about doing all your favourite holiday activities before the year ends, and then finding out you don't have time/resources. Exceptions always set us up for disappointment. Always. Do yourself a favour and don't have any! Just be flexible with any changes and accept blessings as they come.
8) Ask for help
If you're feeling swapped with things to do, ask someone for help. Invite a friend to come over and help you bake, or if you need to do some errands ask them to babysit. Most people are willing to help, if you just ask!
For example, a few years ago, I was low on cash (#studentlife) and a gift exchange with friends was stressing me out - I brought it up with the leader of the group, and we were able to bring the gift amount down so I could still participate without the financial worry. Apparently I wasn't the first to mention the money concerns that year either, so it worked out for everyone!
9) Be realistic
You're a human being. As such, you have limits on your time, energy and resources. Set yourself a budget and stick to it. Don't overbook yourself, and remember to give yourself a break from the festivities and people. Know your limit, sleigh within it (oy, that was bad).
10) Take care of yourself
Being sick over the holidays can not only be uncomfortable, but inconvenient. It's the time of year you'd much rather be spending time with friends than stuck in bed.
While you can't predict when illness will occur, you can do what you can to prevent it by following a regular sleep schedule, eating healthy and staying active.
I personally like to stock up on echinacea and vitamin C over the holidays and take these vitamins when I feel stressed out or feel an illness coming on. While I'm not a doctor, I do believe it's really helped me have speedier recovery times! Tea and some quiet time is also beneficial - do whatever helps you reconnect, recharge and relax.
Above all, remember, the holidays are supposed to be fun. Don't let yourself get so wrapped up (pun intended) in the gift giving, event planning and holiday stress that you forget to enjoy yourself and share joy with others.
Brittany
@simplylynne
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