A Stress-free Christmas
A popular Christmas song favorite, “the most wonderful time of the year” was originally sung by Andy Williams. Over the years it has been remade by other classic artists as well as modern ones. The one thing that no one has done, however, is make a version called “the most unstressful time of the year”. I haven’t heard that one on the radio yet…
For many of us, Christmas is both wonderful and stressful all at the same time. The joys of the season include celebrating with family and friends while experiencing the food, ambiance, and festivities. The stress comes in when we think about the planning, prepping, gift-giving, and all the work that goes into it. But this work does not have to be stressful, it can be fun!
So, if you are looking to make this the most stress-free Christmas since your carefree days as a child, keep reading! I have some great tips to help you plan ahead, make things fun, and most of all, allow yourself to relax and enjoy time together with your loved ones.
Shop Early
One of the biggest ways to relieve stress this holiday season is to finish your Christmas shopping ahead of time! Ask for gift ideas from family and friends early on. My mom often asks for a Christmas list before Halloween. I use to think this was way too early, wondering why she was thinking of Christmas before Halloween had even arrived. But as I got older, I understood the usefulness behind it. Early lists meant early shopping, which meant less stress.
Love the Lists
Some people don’t like receiving Christmas lists for gift ideas. They think that means since the person they are gifting will know what they are getting, it will eliminate all of that gift-giving surprise. But I see it another way. It makes me happy to know I am gifting something that the other person would truly like to have. Since you were given the idea and already know they will like it, it takes the stress right out of gift giving! You can always get something that is not on their list as well.
For example, Daniel and I give each other lists but also buy a few things that are not on the list. We also give each other long lists so there are plenty of ideas to choose from. This way we don’t know what from that list we will get (although we do point out anything we would really like). We don’t mind that some gifts are surprises while others are not.
Gain Free Time
Just think, if you could have most of your Christmas shopping done around Thanksgiving, you would have the entire month of December to relax and enjoy all the other novelties of the season! This would give you plenty of time to decorate, entertain, wrap gifts, you name it. That shopping time would become free time. Plus, you’d avoid the crowds of the holiday shopping rush. How great does that sound?
Shopping Buddy
Make shopping an event! Meet up with a friend and make a day of it. Plan to spend a few hours shopping and then do something for yourselves. This could be as simple as grabbing lunch, rewarding yourselves with Christmas manicures, or getting drinks after you’ve completed your shopping for the day. Having someone to shop with makes this task so much more enjoyable. Plus, you can often help each other out with gift ideas!
Keep it Fun
Plan your Christmas calendar by scheduling fun activities to do throughout the month of December (if you can, do this in early November). Write down a list of the fun things you want to be sure to experience this season, and then put them on the calendar so you have a visual reminder. Be sure to make any reservations or bookings if needed!
Schedule by priority, whatever that may be, whether it’s to-do list items or top activities. Think about what you can reasonably fit in and be sure to keep a few days free for things that might come up (like an invitation to a Christmas Party) or if you need a day to relax and do nothing but watch the Hallmark Channel.
Plan Dates
Take some time to go on a few dates this month! Book a sleigh (or carriage) ride, find a walk or drive through the Christmas light display, or simply have a movie night at home. Relax and enjoy some of the more romantic activities together this season. This quality time is what the holidays are all about! If you are looking for some cute ideas, check out my 12 dates of Christmas post here.
It's Okay to Say No
In order to have a stress-free Christmas, you need to prioritize your time. Tell yourself that you don’t have to attend every party, event, or get-together that is going on during the month of December. I actually recommend that you don’t fill your calendar full of other people’s activities! It can be exhausting and lead to you getting burnt out. Allow time for your own activities too! Do the things that you enjoy to celebrate the season.
Traditions are Optional
Allow yourself to not do something this Christmas if it does not bring you joy. For example, if you have any traditions that cause more stress than happiness, consider changing the tradition. Perhaps tone it down, or make a new one in its place. Remember, you don’t have to keep something around just because it’s “something you’ve always done”. These can be altered to fit the needs of you and your family.
Stay Positive
Don’t let the little things get you down this holiday season. Remind yourself of how you want to feel this Christmas. Are you wanting to feel full of cheer and excitement, but also stay relaxed? Then remind yourself of this when you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed.
Let yourself stop when things get too stressful. Take a break, do something to unwind, and come back to it later. Things during this season shouldn’t feel like a chore. Decorating, baking, gift wrapping, these should all be things you can enjoy. Add in whatever you need (Christmas music, a movie playing in the background, etc.) to make it a stress-free Christmas.
Make Chores more Enjoyable
Find a way to slow down and make it fun, whatever you need to get done this season. Say you have to clean the house the day before a party. Recruit your husband to help you clean, distribute the chores, and turn on some music. Decide that your reward will be that no one cooks dinner! Then order in and watch a Christmas movie together when the house is finished.
Gift Wrapping
I personally love wrapping Christmas gifts! I watch Rudolph and enjoy my own creative craft time decking out the gifts to go under the tree. I get cute little decorations to add to the packages to make them stand out.
I understand that many people do not share this gift-wrapping enjoyment. If this is you, try this method:
- Give yourself a few days to wrap gifts, well before Christmas day arrives.
- Take a few presents out at a time, however many you can easily manage. Let’s say it’s five gifts. Set out only this number and put the rest away. Wrap what you have in front of you and save the rest for later.
- Use boxes and bags. Both are great for awkwardly shaped gifts, and bags help to eliminate most of the work in wrapping. A happily placed gift in a bag is better than a beautiful package wrapped in frustration!
- Think about having a wrapping party. Invite over a friend or two, pop some champagne, turn on the hallmark channel and get to wrapping! It can be a lot more fun when you make it more of an event than just something to mark off your to-do list.
Relax & Unwind
My final tip for a stress-free Christmas is this: schedule some time to relax. Yes, put it down on your to do list! If you are running around a lot during Christmastime, it’s important to set aside some downtime at home.
Cuddle up on the couch with some cocoa and a good book (I’ll admit I like a good Christmas or winter romance book this time of year), turn on one of your favorite Christmas movies, or draw a hot bath. Do whatever quiet activities that help you reset yourself and get back that cheerful holiday feeling!
