Being stress free for the holiday season is not impossible, but it is something you must be intentional about.
It is easy to get caught up in all the hype and before you know it, you’re stressed and broke. That’s never a good look!
People are getting in the holiday spirits earlier and earlier each year. It can be so tempting to get on board and join them, but you have to be smart about how you jump into the holiday season. We all know, once you get started there’s no turning back.
You can put a plan in place to make sure you enjoy the holiday season the way you want to enjoy it and limit the stress or anxiety that could come with it.
6 Tips for a Stress Free Holiday Season
1. Create a stress free budget for all your holiday meals, gifts, and activities- and stick to it!
Whether you are cooking at home for the holidays or taking your favorite dish to a gathering, plan for that in your budget.
Do the same planning with gifts. If you cannot afford to buy for all 31 nieces and nephews, then don’t. If you are the type that feels you have to buy for everyone, you might want to consider giving family gifts, such as gift cards or an experience. Do what you can, but plan for it and stick to your budget.
Many of us also engage in different holiday-themed activities and these can add up. Create an activity wish list and research pricing. Agree on which activities you will do and which ones you may want to save for another year.
If you typically travel during the holiday season, you will want to include this in your budget as well.
Make it your goal not to go into debt this holiday season, because that is always counterproductive to being stress free.
2. Create a stress free menu for all your holiday meals and grocery shop according to that menu.
This one goes along with budgeting. Menu planning is a sure-fire hack to being stress free. We often spend more in the stores when we do not have a plan. Instead, figure out what you want to cook for every meal and stick to the list when you shop. Doing this also ensures that you have everything you need when it is time to cook. Nothing worse than having to run to the grocery store on Christmas day.
3. Don’t succumb to the pressure to say “yes” to everything
You are allowed to set healthy boundaries and stick to them. You are allowed to say no to a gathering. You also do not need a long drawn-out “Excuse” when you have to decline something. If you have trouble saying “no”, use this holiday season to practice!
4. Normalize not trying to impress people.
The holiday season can seem like a worldwide competition. Who can decorate the best? Who’s tree looks better? Who gives the best gifts? Don’t enter the competition! Instead, do everything with pure intentions. Don’t overspend on a gift to impress someone and then end up late on a bill. Decorate, give, celebrate, etc. with the goal of expressing joy rather than competition.
5. Spend your holidays with whomever you want and be stress free
You are not obligated to mingle with people who compromise your peace. If you feel like the environment is toxic at someone’s house, then kindly decline the invite. If you want to celebrate with your immediate family only, do that. If you do not see someone on the actual day of the holiday that is completely fine. Communicate and plan with the ones who matter most to you.
Many families struggle during the holiday season because of unresolved family drama. For this reason, family gatherings can be a struggle. My advice, do what keeps you sane. If you know two individuals do not get along, you can do your part and extend the invite to everyone, but let them decide who wants to attend or not attend. You do not have to take on the burden of figuring out who to invite, in an attempt to keep everyone happy. That is not your job!
6. Do at least one thing for someone who can’t or won’t do something for you.
This can be a simple as donating to a charity, contributing to a food drive, giving a small gift to a neighbor, passing out gift bags to the homeless communities, or treating a teacher. As always, work within your budget. Have a plan for giving and don’t limit it to people who you know will give back to you.
If you have kids, this is a great opportunity to instill a giving spirit into your children. Get them involved in your charity efforts. Let them buy gifts for kids in need. My kids participated in a giving tree program at church and they really enjoyed buying toys for other kids their age. It was also a teaching moment where I could explain how not all kids get what they want.
Wrap it all up
Pun intended! The holiday season should be whatever you want it to be. If you want to nix all the outside gatherings and just celebrate with your immediate family- do that. If you want to travel for Christmas- do that. If you want to splurge and it is within your budget- do that. If this season is about joy, then do whatever you can to bring joy to yourself and others!
Before you go…If you are wanting to know more about the true meaning of Christmas Read THIS
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