9 TIPS TO MAKE THE HOLIDAYS LESS STRESSFUL

Can you believe it? We are exactly one week away from Christmas Day. I am so excited for time away from some of the hustle and bustle but I know that Christmas can be just as stressful as any other time of year. Given what 2020 has brought this year, being extra intentional about alleviating stress is highly recommended. So in effort to not raise your anxiety, let’s get straight into practical tips to make the holidays less stressful!

1. Check your finances for peace of mind

Now, before you have to take your blood pressure medicine, hear me out. Money is one of the biggest stressors we have on a regular day. Layer on top of that trying to find the “perfect” gifts for the people we love and it can turn into a mountain of stress in the blink of an eye.

Here’s the thing. I know we are only one week away from Christmas so I’m assuming you’ve already purchased the majority of your gifts. But I also know how commercialism works. Stores pump out extra good sales that seem too good to turn away and poof, before you know it, you’ve spent more than you should.

I’m simply saying that now may be a good time to check in to see if your rate of spending needs to slow down or stop completely. I’m not telling you to return gifts but Christmas is only one day. Obligations and goals don’t disappear after the 25th so check that balance to make sure you have peace of mind when you sit down to eat Christmas dinner.

2. Make a list and prioritize it twice

Lists are really important because they get everything out of our heads and onto paper. I like to take it one step further and highlight my absolute must-haves or high priority items. This gives me permission, when there’s a shift in plans or a bout of laziness hits, to let stuff go.

The process of elimination is a glorious process. You simply float on over to said list and with your magic wand, cross off any un-highlighted items as you slowly feel your sanity coming back. I have never looked back at an event and regretted removing a low priority item. Give it a try and see if it works for you!

3. Outsource a portion of your menu

This is one of my favorite go-to holiday moves. If the budget allows, then go ahead and buy your sides or a main course item from one of your favorite restaurants. If you’re in St. Thomas, click here to check out some of my favorite restaurants. It saves you time in the kitchen and you are usually guaranteed great results.

Not knocking anyone’s cooking but we can’t all be great at everything. Pick your spots and let the experts focus on their specialties. If you’re still not seeing the benefit, remember that restaurants have had a tough time in 2020 too. So let’s continue to support those businesses without compromising our own financial security. It truly can be a win-win for all.

4. Use eco-friendly paper products to reduce clean-up

Environmentalists, please don’t come for me. I’m not trying to fight anyone but if you’re standing in the way of my peace, we can take it outside. I don’t support buying paper products excessively, by any means, but I do think that in specific cases, eco-friendly options are an ideal choice. Christmas is one of those times.

I’m sure you’re saying, just let someone else clean up. Sounds good but in reality, Mom tends to be the one who cares that the kitchen looks like the site of an explosion after dinner. As a practical solution, it’s more than okay to bust out the eco-friendly plates so dish duty can be quick and painless and you can actually get some rest.

5. Poll your family for activities to alleviate stress

I have found that my idea of fun doesn’t always coincide with my family’s idea of excitement. I used to rack my brain for weeks trying to blow their minds with something spectacular and then be salty when it didn’t go as planned. What solution has made my holidays less stressful? Ask the people what they want. Oh, the relief! That’s one less thing for me to worry about and I have buy-in into our family activities. A perfect example of this was our Christmas Family Bucket List. Everyone offered up ideas and we agreed as a family what would make the cut. You can get the free printable here (at the bottom of the post), if your family needs a starting point.

6. Say ‘No’ to activities you don’t want to participate in

I know we all know this but sometimes we just need permission to say no. Abra ka dabra! You now have the power to say no to any event, person or activity for the next week. You’re welcome. Seriously, though, this is hard even for me but give yourself the gift of peace this holiday and just say no. You may feel guilty at first but let me tell you, when you have little to no obligations come next week, you will be patting yourself on the back.

For you persons who are still having trouble, how about you start with “not now”. Instead of saying no completely, feel free to reschedule activities with friends, coworkers, etc to January if you’re just not ready to say the big N-O just yet.

7. Assign a task to each person to ease the load

Asking for help is a problem for many type A personalities but to ensure you follow through, this is all about being proactive. Assign one or more duties to your family members ahead of time to make the holidays less stressful. You don’t have to wait until you’re drowning in to-do’s then feel like failure when you can’t get it all done.

For example, I’m planning on having my seven year old take photos this year, my husband is definitely going to be on dish duty (love you, babe) and my 4 year old can handle all the crumbs with our trusty hand-vac. It becomes a true family experience when everyone pitches in and your sanity stays intact. See a trend here?

8. Schedule in some self care to make your holidays less stressful

This one is a little tricky and you may not be able to do this on Christmas Day but we’re talking about the whole week. Bake in some time every day for a little “you” time and you can slide into Christmas Day with a full cup. You’ll respond to whatever curve ball Santa throws at you with candy canes and a smile. Don’t forget to plan some extra time for the day after as your previously filled cup will now be an empty wine glass. Take the time to take care of you!

9. Have a plan for difficult family members

We love our families, don’t we? But there’s always that one person you know is going to rub you the wrong way. Let’s devise a plan for Uncle Joe. If he can’t make the festivities in person, then maybe create a video message he can watch on replay and contact is “limited”. If he’ll be there in person, put him in charge of a special project like telling the kids stories about your family’s history. Keep him busy.

But what if you HAVE to engage with a difficult family member? Here’s my advice. Anticipate the craziness and slide to the right. If you know it’s going to happen, just decide to let it roll off your back and go check on the rolls. Don’t let anyone disturb your peace. Make a conscious decision to choose joy, happiness and mental stability. Not for them but for you!

I know some of these are easier than others and as always, there is no obligation to do any of these things. One things 2020 has taught me is we all deserve to live the life we want, the way we want. So do you. I just hope these tips will help you feel more prepared and make your holidays less stressful. As long as you’re happy, we’re all happy.

To that end, I will be taking a little break myself from blogging and hopefully, come back better and stronger in the New Year. Sharing with you has been an absolute joy and I appreciate all the support and love being thrown my way. If you really miss me, you can follow me on Instagram. I’ll still be posting here and there throughout the holiday season.

Here’s wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. You all deserve it. Stay jolly, friends!