The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of year for many people. It’s a classic example of how we ask too much of ourselves and of others.
November comes around and suddenly we expect to turn into “Martha Stewart!” We want a beautifully decorated house, delicious homemade treats, perfect, well thought out personalized gifts and well-behaved, eternally grateful children......even after we’ve disrupted their sleep routines, filled them up with sugar and drug them to relatives' houses they only see once a year!
So how do you avoid making the holidays humbug? Here are some tips:
1. Ask each family member what their number one favorite part of the holiday is and only do those. You don’t have to do everything! You might be surprised that there are some things that aren’t as important as you thought.
2. Skip the holiday cards-send New Years cards in January or Valentine cards in February when you have more time. When you send something later, people are more likely to read it. If you send cards and family updates in January or February there’s a better chance they’ll remember what it said.
3. Give theme gifts: magazine subscriptions, donations in their name, gift cards, tickets to a concert, movie, play, etc. Go through a list of magazines and choose one that fits each person on your list. Think about their favorite store, go online and order a gift card for them. Give them tickets to an event you both like and maybe they’ll share the second ticket-the gift that keeps on giving.
4. Go to bed for a nap after Thanksgiving Dinner and set the alarm for midnight New Year's Eve. Thought I’d toss that in for fun.
5. Make a list before shopping! Nothing is more time consuming and crazy making than wandering around the mall waiting for the perfect gift to jump out at you or having so many gifts jumping out at you that you feel like your brain will explode! Go through catalogs or magazines for ideas, decide what you want and buy only what’s on your list, or better yet, do all your shopping online!
6. Go shopping with a friend and combine it with a massage, spa treatment, sauna or a soak in a hot tub. Wouldn't it be great to shop for an hour or two and follow it with a great meal or spa date afterwards!
7. Breathe……breathe…….breathe. A deep breath will help you slow down to think and make better decisions. You know that last minute craziness that happens right before guests arrive-your mind races and you're bouncing from one thing to another. Then the door bell rings. STOP! Take a deep breath and your mind and body will automatically slow down. What's done is done....let it go.
8. Make the holiday meal a group event: ask guests to bring part of the meal. If you are hosting an event, let guests know up front that you are happy to provide the main dish and assign or let them choose a side dish to bring. Then they don't need to bother with a hostess gift either. And really, how many candles or cute knick knacks do you need?
9. Schedule FUN things for yourself as well as the kids. While you do lots for your families and friends this time of year, don’t forget to do something for yourself-go to a movie, buy yourself a little gift, hang out with a friend, go skiing or try something you’ve always wanted to do. This is your holiday, too. You deserve to have some fun!
10. And finally, borrowed from professional organizers, do only the things you need to do and the things you love to do. Let go of the rest. What traditions do you love and which ones feel like chores? Going back to Tip #1 - only do the number one favorites. And don’t forget, your favorites count as well-it's the ultimate self-care. (Actually, your favorites count more because "when mama ain't happy, nobody's happy!")
Bottom line....do activities you truly love and you'll be energized and happy. How can you enjoy the true meaning of the holidays, whatever that means for you, if you're stressed out and exhausted! Have a happy holiday, you deserve it!
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