Destress Your Holiday Season

Each year the holidays seem to become more and more stressful. Between advertising that starts even before Halloween, the pressure to give gifts that nobody needs, and the obligation to try and get the entire family together on Christmas Day it's no wonder people are getting stressed and cranky. And this doesn't even include friends or work events. Instead of feeling merry and bright, we have the bah humbug syndrome.

Everyone needs to take a step back and breathe, and remember that they can't do everything in one day. Gifts should not be expected and what is given shouldn't break the budget. And even though we all want to be with family on holidays, sometimes distance can make it a hardship to do so.

This year I have decided to try and put the merry back into Christmas. If I can make it a bit less stressful for myself, then maybe it will relieve the stress for others. Perhaps these suggestions will help others too.

  • We will have Christmas with my children and grandchildren a couple weeks prior to Christmas Day. This will allow my girls to stay home with their children on Christmas Day, and I will go to my mother's then. Each year we have Christmas with his family on Christmas Eve which works out perfectly for us. The bottom line is this, you can enjoy the holiday much more if you stop trying to cram it all into one day.
  • Gift Giving - Fortunately my family has worked to ease this over the past several years. I buy for my girls, grandchildren and mother, and we don't go overboard. Other than this we have an old-fashioned Yankee Swap for the adults who wish to participate. This has turned into quite a good time. We have a price limit and some of the gifts have been amusing. And if you end up with a gift you can't use there is always next year to pass it along.
  • Give to Someone Less Fortunate - The best feeling in the world is to do something (anonymously) for someone else who cannot provide a Christmas for family as they would like. You will never forget how good it feels to do this, and will find it becomes a tradition.
  • Holiday Advertising - Every time an ad comes on mute the TV. What you don't hear can't stress you out.
  • Black Friday - Do what I do and stay home. I have not shopped on Black Friday for at least fifteen years, and I don't do online shopping that day either. Much nicer to have a calm day at home.
  • Boycott stores that are open on Thanksgiving. I say shame on them for not allowing their employees to have that day with family!

Remember - it doesn't need to be about a specific day. If you push yourself to try and create a perfect day with all of your family in one place you will never be happy. It will never be a success or the vision you see in your mind.

Just a few small changes can make all the difference!

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