Here are 5 tips for (hopefully) having a stress free holiday season (remind me to follow them as well!):
1. Budget! Perhaps the most common piece of advice out there in terms of reducing stress during the holidays is to create and stick to a budget when shopping. It’s so easy to overspend when we’re buying gifts for the people we love but if you create a budget you can keep an eye on store flyers and sales and still buy that special someone the perfect gift, without going into debt.
2. Plan ahead! This goes for everything holiday. Try and get at least a few presents purchased before the holiday season even begins. If you have a quiet week night in early in the holiday season, do some holiday baking. If you have holiday parties to attend, find out in advance what is required of you (Pot luck? Gift exchange?) and take care of as many details as you can well before the date.
3. Learn to say no! The holidays are busy for everyone and undoubtedly you will be called upon to pitch in at a holiday party, your children’s school, or a charity event. The season is all about giving to others but remember that you are no good to anyone if you are chronically stressed and unorganized because you have too much on your plate. People will understand if you have to say no and this way you can give 100% to those yes requests.
4. Roll call! Check in with other family members during the season to ensure your little ones are not about to have a meltdown capable of taking out the North pole just before getting to grandma’s house. Kids show stress in different ways – are they over tired, weepy or grouchy? Check in and share your understanding of how the holiday season can be overwhelming for everyone. Offer extra hugs, and perhaps an earlier bedtime to make up for the excitement to come once Christmas is here.
5. Take care of yourself. Don’t abandon healthy habits just because it’s the holidays. Eat healthy (but enjoy your favorite treats in moderation, hooray for holiday food!), get enough rest, and take a breather when you feel your stress barometer begin to rise. Healthy habits will work to help avoid getting sick during the holidays, which is no fun for anyone.
We all get stressed over the holidays, but hopefully the celebration, excitement and togetherness that the holiday season brings outweigh those times when we’re feeling the holiday stress creep up.
Now for that holiday shopping? Here’s a quick peek at something fabulous from Best Buy!
It is so hard to say no, especially the holidays. sometimes I blame my hubby when I have to say no lol. but for budgeting thats a must, two girls university, new house, new truck, new car money is tight tight tight. going to try and eat healthy this christmas fingers crossed around a cookie. lol
It’s so hard to say no, but yes, it has to be done sometimes!! And planning ahead is the number one tip for me – otherwise I go into panic mode.
Great Tips! Things are really stressful and up in the air right now for us. My kids and I were in a car accident over Thanksgiving and are now without a car. Going into Christmas and trying to figure out how to make it all work is definitely taking its toll on me. Thanks for some tips I will keep these in mind!
I love #5. I always get sick right after the holidays because I do too much!
Tip 4 is great lol thanks for all the tips they help lots
Great tips to have a stress less Christmas. I need help in following number 5….working on it! 🙂
I would add: Start early so you have time to enjoy the fruits of your labour! All of these. Are awesome. Ideas!
I always plan ahead, but I need to work more on rule #5!
budgeting is a must for sure. I also budget my time because of health reasons. I prepare lists and do things as I am able.
For the cooking , I do everything in advance & stick it in the freezer in those aluminum containers with lids that you can get at Dollarama. I label them on the outside with cooking instructions as to temp. and time & whether they are cooked covered or uncovered . If they need a topping I make that up as well , put it in a Ziploc baggie & tape it to the container as well. This way if I’m not well on the big day , my husband can figure out what to do with a little help from my daughter. That way most of the cooking, except for salads is done & only needs to be reheated in the oven for about 30 to 40 minutes. This means most of the dishes are done before hand also. So there are no pots & pans to wash on the big day & I don’t have to spend the entire day on my feet cooking. We tried this for the first time last year & it worked great. Before I start the cooking I figure out what goes in which size of container & line them all up in the oven to make sure everything fits.
i love tip #3!! i need to be reminded of that. sometimes i tend to take on too much..more then i can handle and i just start stressign over it
Doing cold and flu prevention already!
I set a budget but really need to work on sticking to my budget
I try to set a budget and I try to say “no” but both are very challenging at holiday time!
I like #5 but its so hard to resist eating too many of the goodies. I’ll have to try harder this year!
Great tips. Mine to to keep a list, especially for parties. List the menu and then food lists, along with copies of needed recipes pulled in advance. I pull out all the platters in advance and post it each one what goes on it, that way if someone helps you, things go where you planned them!
Thanks for the tips! I’m definitely trying to plan ahead and BUDGET this year! 🙂
Thanks, always a good reminder at this time of the year. I have definitely stayed on budget this year.
I just feel like I just looked at the calendar and it’s coming very quickly. I hate shopping on the weekends and have no clue what to get people on my list especially my husband. I feel like the worst shopper ever. I can’t seem to buy the really cool gifts people love.
stress free holidays are impossible! lol
These are great tips! however financially the holidays are always stressful
Get tips , the holidays a re a stressful time , i try and plan a heard and get things organized before the holiday hit , its a hard thing to do but i has to be done lol
Some great tips there. I have already started with my list making. I really do try and keep the true meaning of the holidays in my mind, and I don’t sweat the small stuff. Its about making memories. Now talk to me Christmas Eve and I might say something different. lol.
Learn to say no I think is a great tip. I believe if you don’t want to do it then don’t
Awesome tips! It is so easy to get caught up in all the Christmas Chaos! Budgeting is a must. For everybody, and it can be hard but it is so important. Taking care of yourself is also important. I do tend to exercise a bit more during the holidays though so that I can eat a few extra chocolates and drink a few extra cocktails. I love this time of year!
Definitely some great tips and suggestions for this holiday season 🙂
Thanks for the tips. Helps to be reminded of the stressful times Holidays can be!
Great tips…now to put some into play to destress 🙂
Learning to say no has been good for me this year. Just trying to use my time wisely with my family and not be so busy that I don’t enjoy the down time and memory making with my kids
I liked your 5 Tips for a Stress Free Holiday Season.
Thanks for posting this.
Thank you for the tips although I still feel like sticking my head in the sand like an Ostrich. Money is beyond tight this year and even a Christmas Tree isn’t on my list of things to prepare for.
I think “learn to say no” is crucial.
Thanks for the tips! I should start practicing saying no now so that I’m ready for the holidays, haha
thanks for the awesome tips,happy holiday
i always try to plan ahead… and i do have to say no sometimes
great tips! I definitely will take advantage of some of them
Terrific tips; I’ll have to stick to them next year; too late for this season.
Plan ahead and making lists is what I go by
Really great tips! I always try to plan ahead and make lists but nothing seems to work out smoothly no matter how prepared I *think* I am lol
These are really really good tips. I found all of them relevant to my own life, especially the learning to say no tip. It’s easy to feel obligated to say “yes” to others during this time, and neglect saying yes to our own needs.
Saying ‘No’ to things has been a big one for our family this year. Especially my husband! He gets asked to do everything!