So, you just found out that life doesn’t exactly flow like a Hallmark Christmas movie? Trust me, I am just as disappointed as you. Don’t get me wrong! The holiday season can be filled with some of the most beautiful and stressful times. From Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s Eve, managing the hustle and bustle of one holiday after another can be tricky. But don’t worry! Take a deep breath (and maybe pour yourself some hot chocolate if you have a moment) as we walk through some honest advice on how to manage stress during the holiday season.
Shopping
If you’re not a naturally talented gift-giver (like me), holiday shopping can be hard. Hopping from store to store hunting for the “perfect” Christmas gift can be a challenge. Thank goodness for online shopping! Not only are Amazon wish lists convenient, but you can have the peace of mind in knowing that you’ve made a purchase your loved ones will enjoy. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for links to gifts they would enjoy receiving for Christmas.
Effective shopping for the holidays requires a sweet balance of online shopping and local shopping. I encourage you to not buy all of your gifts on Amazon. Shopping locally has never been more important than this year. Showing love to a small business is not only fun, but it is incredibly meaningful, and the reward will last long-term.
Christmas can be a very special time of gift-giving. After all, we are celebrating the greatest gift ever given. Our gifts should be a representation of the reason we are celebrating. Your gifts do not have to be extravagant, over-the-top, or expensive. Keep it simple and remember the true meaning of Christmas. In my own personal experience, the gifts that meant the most to me were the ones that were simple and sentimental.
Time Management
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Christmas won’t be perfect. (Sorry to break it to you!) Don’t be so concerned with perfection that you miss the fun of the holiday season! Time management is key. Plan ahead. Figure out what works for you. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Be kind to yourself so that you can be present and intentional with your time. Perfection doesn’t matter. What matters most is spending quality time with the people we love.
Notice how you feel when you’re not stressed. Pause, take notice of your reality, and make a list of every single detail. Even if you’re a verbal processor, writing down a tactile list of things you’re grateful for, with pen and paper, can work wonders. Relax and stay present. What we thought was important and worth fussing over will soon melt away.
Spending Time with Loved Ones
I don’t need to tell you that this is the strangest holiday season we’ve ever had. We are either spending even more time with the people we live with, or we’re not spending any time in person with our loved ones at all. When we are together, whether in person or virtually, living with those who hold different perspectives and opinions can be tricky at times.
But here’s the thing: when we don’t require other people to think the way we do, and when other people don’t require us to think the way they do, we can all relax. Have a conversation. Focus on commonalities and leave the criticism behind. Talk about movies you’ve recently seen. Are there any new albums you’re a fan of? Did you find a new recipe you love? Not every conversation has to be a hot topic issue.
Know Yourself
I don’t know about you, but I am a massive fan of self-discovery and personality quizzes. I love fun tools like The Enneagram, Meyers Briggs, etc. This holiday season, try challenging yourself to know yourself more. What are your strengths? How can you utilize those strengths to live well? It is important to also recognize your weaknesses. None of us are easy to love all the time. (Again, we’re not Hallmark characters!) Once we learn how to embrace ourselves, loving and serving the people around us will come naturally.
God’s blessings are hidden within each trial. Acknowledge your realities. What is the blessing underneath it all? I encourage you to find little moments to pause, take a deep breath, feel whatever you need to feel, move forward, and follow Amy Grant’s advice: When you are worried, and you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep.
For other tips and tricks, check out some of our other blogs!