It is no surprise that Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love everything that the season has to offer! The lights, the sounds, the smells. It is truly the perfect time of year to come together and celebrate.
But with all of the garland and glitz comes a huge amount of responsibility, expectation and socialization which can sometimes leave even the most festive of friends feeling down with Dasher. In attempts to help you avoid the season’s stress, here are my 5 tips on how to create a stress free holiday that you will actually look forward to each year!
Preparation
The key to the success of any holiday season is preparation. Are you the person that waits until December 22nd to even start thinking about your gift shopping? Yep. You and me both. But imagine if mid December rolled around and you had all of your gifts purchased, your party outfits planned and your baking schedule sorted? Preparation and being ahead of the game always bring a sense of comfort and I highly recommend prepping as much as possible before the holidays. That way, when Christmas Eve rolls around, the only thing you have to worry about is whether you would like a glass of eggnog or Prosecco. : )
Taking Time For Yourself
Amidst all of the Christmas chaos, it is so important to take time for yourself to just be. This could be something as simple as setting aside time at night to take a relaxing bath, cuddling up with a book by the fire or indulging in a delicious hot chocolate and watching the snow come down (or sitting in front of a fan if you’re in Australia!) “Me” time is just as, if not more important, than sociliazing time with friends. It gives us a chance to rest and recharge so that we can truly be our brightest and most beautiful selves when we’re celebrating with family and friends.
Learning to Say “No”
This is a tough one…particularly if you spent the majority of your life being a people pleaser, as I have. Don’t have the time or energy to bake the 80 cupcakes that the PTA president requested this year? Not to worry. Politely let him or her know that you have a lot on your plate this season and though you would love to help, you just aren’t able to commit to such a request. Perhaps ask if there’s another way that you can help that is a bit more manageable. At some point, we all have to do things that we don’t want to do but we can’t say “yes” to everything! Pick and choose wisely this season and protect your energy by politely declining tasks or invitations that simply don’t align with your holiday wellbeing.
Creating Traditions
Carrying out festive acts year after year with the people you love is such a fun way to create new memories and really get into the holiday spirit. Running around like a mad person trying to get every last gift can be insanely stressful. But the second you come home and see your loved one waiting patiently to build a gingerbread house together (because it’s your tradition) will, undoubtedly, make all of your holiday worries disappear.
Letting Go of Perfection
Maybe Aunt Sue didn’t like the scarf that you gifted her. Maybe your gingerbread cookies turned out to be a crumbled mess. Maybe you have a huge pimple on your forehead right before your husband’s holiday work party. Letting go of insecurities and giving yourself grace is one of my top tips to ensure that this Christmas is stress free. Your friends and family will be thankful just to be able to spend time with you. The collapsed cake or missing button on your Christmas sweater mean very little when what’s happening around you means so much.
I hope that these tips help you to have the most beautiful holiday season. Remember to not worry about the little things and to always keep in mind the true meaning of the season. It is called “the most wonderful time of the year” for a reason! Embrace the little moments, eat without guilt, love unconditionally and remember to just breathe.
You’ve got this!
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” -Ray L.Smith
Merry Christmas! Love and light, Carrie xo
