The most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest. Here are ways you can stay stress-free while enjoying all the holiday season has to offer.
The presents are wrapped. You and your husband are enjoying a sweet treat by the loaded Christmas tree before the chaos of Christmas morning. And you’re at ease.
Thanksgiving came and went. You prioritized your favorite Christmas activities. And everything is just as it should be.
You can have the beauty of a holiday season without the headache that can come with gift lists, endless activities, family expectations, and extra holiday spending.
Here are 16 ways to have a stress-free, peaceful holiday season
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A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
1. Burnout happens when we have unrealistic expectations. And for the most wonderful time of the year, that can be a huge bummer when things don’t go according to plan!
Take the time to sit down with your family and talk about what you want out of the holiday season. If you are married and you’re visiting family for the holidays, will you split Thanksgiving and Christmas? Does your family have a tradition they expect you to participate in every year?
When someone gets upset over an idea that doesn’t pan out, that’s a good indicator to me that they envisioned it working out differently in their head. Take the time to figure out what that vision is (starting with your own ideas) and reduce holiday stress.
2. Planning your financial expectations is another crucial part of giving yourself holiday peace. You will get hit by everything from holiday outfits to your dog to the $6 hot chocolate when you’re looking at Christmas lights.
Set your budget and give yourself permission to stick to it. Include a fun category for those random expenses that will bring you joy and nothing else. That way, you have the freedom to enjoy your holiday season in the short term, coupled with the enjoyment of long-term financial freedom.
3. Finally, schedule time to rest. Rest is truly one of the best gifts you can give yourself during such a busy season. Especially if you are responsible for planning gifts, meals, outings, and coordinating schedules.
What’s more, your family needs rest. My small children love to participate in everything the holidays have to offer. But it’s important for me to stick to boundaries, like rest periods, for our family so they don’t get overwhelmed and crash out from all the festivities.
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Photo by Marissa Grootes via Unsplash.
4. Practice Mindful Eating
This isn’t a blog to encourage you to eat one way or the other. So remember that.
Mindful eating focuses on a few premises that may be beneficial during the holiday season. I’d like to highlight them because when you feel your best, you operate at your best.
Mindful eating engages the senses, encourages eating without judgment, and emphasizes the ability to distinguish between emotional eating cues and hunger eating cues. Everyone could benefit from those three things during the holiday season!
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in enjoying every holiday spread. And we should enjoy it! But if we are shaming ourselves for it or eating because we are rushed and stressed, are we truly enjoying the holiday season?
5. Let Go of Perfection
The to-do list shouldn’t rule your life during the holidays.
I understand that the Thanksgiving turkey needs to be on the table in time for dinner. What I’m saying is if a side dish or two didn’t make it to the table because you were too busy, that’s okay.
There is a piece to mental health during the holidays. If it’s cold where you live, you likely aren’t able to get outdoors. There are also extra social and financial pressures. Don’t let your to-do list add to your stress this season.
Let go of perfection and focus on enjoying your favorite parts of the holidays.
6. Stick to a Meal Plan
When you stick to a meal plan, you will save so much time and money at the grocery store!
I shop every week for groceries. During the holidays, I may make an extra trip or two, but I am definitely not shopping every day. I want to enjoy this time with my family! That’s why I create a meal plan.
A meal plan also helps me see which meals I am getting help with, which meals my husband will cook, and what snacks I might need to purchase.
7. Get Off Social Media
Comparison is the thief of all joy. And if this is supposed to be a time of peace, that might mean this needs to be a time away from social media.
If this is a struggle for you, consider picking up a good book, grabbing a cup of coffee with a friend, or pursuing a physical activity like hiking.
8. Delegate to Family Members
You don’t need to be responsible for every part of a holiday meal. Take that fact seriously!
You don’t have to infringe on family traditions. But if you ask a family member to bring a side dish or dessert, you can focus on setting the table and the protein for the meal.
9. Opt for Store Bought over Homemade
This piggybacks off of the last point, but is just as important.
There are so many ways you can make a handmade Thanksgiving and Christmas. Decorations, gifts, food. If you include Halloween in the holiday season, you can even make Halloween costumes!
You don’t have to make everything from scratch this holiday season.
Opt for store-bought decorations for the dinner table this year and focus your efforts on the food. Or if you prefer to decorate instead of cook, pick up a few store-bought meals and focus on making the dinner table your own.
Related Blog Post
How to Reduce Stress During Holiday Cooking
10. Simplify Christmas Cards
You don’t need a professional photographer to take a beautiful family photo.
My hack for family photos is to set my phone camera forward and hit video. My family falls into place (I sometimes have to position my kiddos), and we take a minute or two to cheese through a few poses.
When the video ends, I go back through frame by frame until I find the “it” family photo. I take a screenshot and edit that screenshot in Canva.
11. Selectively Attend Holiday Parties
The sheer volume of holiday parties can be overwhelming, and I’m here to tell you – you don’t have to attend every one.
Just like we want to maintain balance in our social life, we can maintain that balance during the holiday season.
If you are involved in multiple extracurricular activities for your children, work, and other social clubs, chances are your attention is going to be split when it comes time for the holidays. Collectively consider your commitments and weigh what will get your attention this year.
If you hold a chair/board position for multiple organizations, consider attending solo. Not all events have to be a family affair! You could make a night of it, even if it’s not a work function. Hire a babysitter and enjoy the evening with your husband!
Even if every organization you’re a part of has a holiday party, that doesn’t mean you have to attend every party.
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Photo by S B Vonlanthen via Unsplash.
12. Ditch the Advent Calendars
You don’t need a product’s advent calendar to remind you how close you are to Christmas. And frankly, some of the prices surrounding Advent calendars are insane.
Instead, opt for a 90s-style felt advent calendar like this one or this one. You can have the fun of the countdown without the instant gratification of products every single day.
13. Get Some Fresh Air
It’s hard to get outside during the winter. In our part of Arkansas, we rarely see snow at Christmas. But our low temperatures usually hit anywhere from 25 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Take a walk and get some fresh air every day to help clear your mind and invigorate your spirit. If you have ice and snow on the ground, consider opening a window and enjoying looking at the snow.
Some say just 30 minutes of fresh air every day can improve your blood pressure and lighten your mood!
14. Find Your Sense of Peace
Maybe you love the holiday season, and clearing your schedule isn’t the way you find joy in the business.
You can try journaling, partaking in a hobby, or chatting with a friend.
15. Schedule a Family Trip (After the Holidays!)
Sometimes, creating something you can look forward to can get you through a busy period.
The holidays come once a year. They are fun and something you can look forward to! If you enjoy the holidays, but don’t love how busy you can become, consider celebrating getting through the holiday season with a family trip.
16. Match Your Family’s Energy Levels
One of the best pieces of motherhood advice I ever heard was to watch my children during a busy season. Are they sleeping well? Are they excited about our next task? Are they ending the day exhausted and cranky?
When I find the answers to those questions, that’s usually a great way to reflect on the state of how busy we are as a family.
So Much Joy This Holiday Season!
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Photo by Marissa Grootes via Unsplash.
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