The holiday season is upon us. So many special moments and so much joy!
Yet many of us, especially women, also find the holidays stressful according to an APA survey.
The top stressors are:
lack of time
money worries
overcommercialization
gift-giving pressure
family get-togethers
The good news is we can maximize the joy and minimize the stress by planning ahead.
Consider beforehand how YOU would like your holiday season to go.
What are the most important aspects to you and your family? Prioritize these things even if it means saying no to something else.
You don’t have to do things just because this is how it’s always been done or just because everyone else does it.
Consider which parts of the holidays you enjoy the most and do those!
ACTIVITIES
This is the season for many merry gatherings. Be mindful of the fact that whenever you say “yes” you also say “no” to something else. A “yes” to a holiday party means “no” to a quiet evening at home sipping hot tea and reading a book or playing a game with your family.
Give yourself enough downtime to really appreciate the holidays.
GIFTS
Ahead of time, agree with other adults that no gifts are needed. If you, or your loved ones, do want to exchange gifts, favor services, or consumables.
Listen to what your child really wants as gifts. Get them, or ask your family to get them, the most important gifts they have wished for and no more.
Communicate with your family that excessive gifts are not necessary. Express gratitude for their generosity and explain why you wish to receive less (for example we have limited space; limited time to take care of things; children play better with fever toys, etc.).
HOME
Tidy beforehand so that when the holidays are here, you can concentrate on the most important aspect - people.
When you’re cleaning before people arrive concentrate on areas that people will use like the kitchen and bathrooms.
DECORATIONS
Only put up as many decorations as you want to take off. It’s always more fun to decorate than it is to take decorations off and find space for them in storage.
Consider using natural, found materials as decorations which you can easily compost afterward.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Stick with tried and true recipes that you know how to make well, or outsource. Make it easy for yourself to succeed.
If you’re entertaining a larger gathering and need extra dishes, consider borrowing them or getting them secondhand and then returning/donating them back afterward.
A lot of the stress comes from our own inner expectations. Let go.
The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be special.
Do what sparks joy ✨
Mayo Clinic: 9 Tips To Fend Off Holiday Stress
VeryWell Mind: Managing the Seemingly Inevitable Holiday Season Stress