I think we can all agree that Holiday stress is a real thing. The Holidays can be so stressful, there’s so much to do and buy and make and you only have a limited amount of time. So many people put pressure on themselves at Christmas, they think they have to go big or go home, and thats just not true. Its always good to remember the reason for the season, and remind yourselves that not everything has to be perfect.
Not only is there stress at Christmas but I think there’s alot of expectation too. We put this expectation on ourselves and sometimes without even knowing it, we put it on others too. Today I will be sharing some tips on how you can create yourself a stress free Christmas! I hope you leave this post feeling more positive and relaxed about the festive season! So Let’s get into the tips!
ONLY DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
I think this is a key thing to remember here. I know Christmas stress is a real thing for some people, as it involves seeing family and friends that maybe you don’t want to see. But here is your reminder that its okay to say no and not do the things you don’t want to. Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean that you have to do things you don’t want to. You know your own boundaries, and you can stay within them if you please.
You should never feel guilty for putting yourself first, like I said before, the Christmas season can be really triggering for those with bad pasts with family members or having to be around people you don’t necessarily get along with. Christmas should be a time for fun and relaxation, if it effects you and your mental health then don’t feel obliged to do it.
PREPARATION IS KEY TO ADVOID HOLIDAY STRESS
I have learnt this tip from my mom. Around Christmas she is sooo organised. She has everything ready early and knows what she needs and what she’s going to be doing next. I feel like it’s such a skill to be able to remain calm and organised around Christmas. Prepare as much as you can, so that closer to Christmas you have hardly anything left to do. Rope in some helpers if you need to!
If you want to ditch the Christmas dinner all together I wouldn’t blame you. Alot of people here in the UK go out to restaurants for their Christmas dinner. I think its such a good idea to avoid the stress of having to cook and clean up after so many people.
DON’T PUT PRESSURE ON YOURSELF
Why do we put pressure on ourselves at Christmas? I feel like there’s this underlying societal pressure that happens, where everything must be perfect and you must put on this show otherwise you’re a failure. Well I’m here to say thats not true. I’d rather look back at Christmas and remember the time I spent with loved ones than look back at what fancy cutlery we used at the dinner table.
REMEMBER WHATS IMPORTANT
This point leads on perfectly from the last one, that we must remind ourselves what’s really important at Christmas. Not the gifts and the material things, or even the food (although some would disagree). It’s about the time spent with family and loved ones, the reason for the season – Jesus and love. It’s not about the big show that the world expects you to put on every year. You don’t put in all that work to be stressed and not enjoy it.
DON’T LET THE CHRISTMAS STRESS RUIN YOUR FUN
Remember that Christmas is supposed to be a fun time, where you can take some time off of work and be with your loved ones and relax. We need to stop with this pressure and realise that this time only comes around once a year. Be present and in the moment!
How do you stop yourself from giving in to the Holiday stress? Do you struggle to balance all of the crazy at Christmas? How do you unwind?
Olivia x
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Great post! The happiest time of year can also be one that is stressful and the current pandemic is not helping our stress levels. Definitely important to think of yourself and what you want <3
For sure! It can be really stressful for some of us, but I think its important to do as you said. Remember to think of yourself!
I tend to just go with the flow. Thankfully I’m blessed with a family that we call get along holidays or not so there’s no aspect of performing just cos it’s Christmas.
*we can all get along
You are blessed! I know thats not always the case with everyone!
Early preparation always works. Good points and advice.
Agreed! No preparation often sets you up for failure!
I really like these tips! I feel like I learn how to manage the Christmas stress better every year. Until last year, I was the person running around on Christmas Eve trying to do a full food and present shop. It was so overwhelming, I’d feel like I was going crazy. This year I’m much more organised and I’ve planned well in advance. On that note, McDonalds tends to be full on Christmas Day so that’s always an option if all else fails lol
Lessons learnt from previous christmasses! I cant imagine how stressful that was 😅😅 having to rush around and get everything! At least theres none of that this year!!
I treat it like any other day and that means I get to enjoy the season. Do the shopping as normal as possible and that includes the gifts. Over the years I have learned it is not worth stressing myself and it is way too over commercialise taking the fun away and meaning of it.
I agree! It is way too commercialised and it almost puts pressure on everyone that they must celebrate and must do this and that. I love that you celebrate like its any other day!
I end up getting stressed because I tend to do what others suggest because I want everyone to be happy. It had never really bothered me much before but now with kids it can be really stressful. This year I’m going to take your advice and only do what I want to do and what I know is best for my family! Thanks!
Yes! You should. Its your Christmas nobody elses🤗
Great post Liv, saying No I’m still trying to master that one.
Thank you so much!
Great tips Olivia! Wonderful reminders for us to slow down and enjoy what is important about this holiday season.
Yes for sure! I think we make more work for ourselves around the Holidays which is not what its meant to be about 😅
Yes we definitely do. Sometimes we just need a pause to remind ourselves that the actual time spent together is more special than the preparations beforehand. I hope you and your family have a special Christmas!
I hope you do too💛
Great tips! I’ve found just being lazy to help as well. Hear me out 😅 if you look at this season as a time to just relax and just do fun stuff, the inspiration to prepare comes along! Tried and tested 😜
Laziness is the best, especially when you need it! It helps you be more productive. Tried and tested 😜
I’m following a lot of these rules this year. I’ll just be chilling out most of the holiday season. I’m having a small dinner but that’s pretty well it.
Love this! Its what christmas is for!
I think the Peer/societal pressure is what is freaking out many- be it Christmas or even the Diwali festival in India, or similar ones for other religions/countries.
The commercial angle too dominates. Christmas is more widely being celebrated in India but not for its underlying spirit, but because of the high commercial sales value angle.
People might be cunning, cruel and so much different from the ideals of Truth, compassion, brotherhood and good deeds for which Jesus fought for all his life, and even saints from across the world.
Yet are we following that path.
Just decorating, celebrating or literally spending thousands of bucks- is that what the celebration and the accompanying stress should be about?
Well, perhaps we all need to look inwards !!
Sorry for being a bit too long ! 🙂
Lovely post!!! Thanks for sharing
Yes, Christmas can become stressful and overwhelming. I wish I had seen this post before I allowed my youngest son to force me into decorating the house. I was not feeling it this year. I had so many things going on leading up to Thanksgiving and I felt like I was behind, especially in the blogger/content creator world, when it came to putting decor out. I had made up in my mind that I would not decorate, but my son pushing me to do it, also told me that it mattered to him. For a 16yo boy to still care about seeing the house decorated, I got it down. However, I don’t feel like everything is done how I want it. I’m also going to do better with labeling my totes and making sure my husband and son’s store them better in the new year. I don’t like attics, so I don’t go up there to bring things down or put them back up. It’s a phobia. LOL! Preparing better for next time will definitely remove the stress from what should be a fun time of the year for me because it is my favorite time of year!
I love this attitude you have though. Okay things aren’t perfect but there’s always next year! Plus, it meant so much to your son! Doesnt have to be perfect anyway!
I find preparing is the key to less stress, I have tried really hard the last years to implement that. 😌
Yes for real! Preparation is key!