October 19, 2018

Ten Tips to Make Your Holidays Less Stressful

Yep, they’re almost here…dun dun duuuuun…the dreaded and simultaneously loved holidays. That joyous and reviled time of gorging, family gatherings, awkward conversations, parties, over indulging, gift giving (and receiving), baking, online shopping, greeting cards, credit card debt, holiday music, giant frozen birds, the passing of yet another year, and that inevitable stress. And while holiday stress is inevitable, it can be reduced. How? You ask…by following these ten stress-reducing tips:

Clean up the clutter in your house. Prepare for the holidays by making room for new things, unexpected guests and lots of food. Go through your closets, fridge, freezer and pantry to get ready for that flood of food, gifts and guests that arrive with the holidays.
Create a budget and gift list despite the fact that you hate making both. List all the people for whom you plan to buy gifts, the maximum amount you plan to spend for each person, and a few gift ideas for each. And STICK TO IT!
Host or attend holiday card writing, baking and/or wrapping (not rapping) parties. Yes, these are things. You’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll get those cards written and addressed, cookies baked, and gifts wrapped in the company of friends and with the assistance of a few glasses of wine.
Keep a supply of “universal” gifts on hand for unexpected gift giving. What’s a “universal” gift? A gift that can be given to just about anyone from your child’s teacher to a new co-worker. They include: ubiquitous gift cards, bottle of wine, candles, coffee, hat/gloves/scarves, or baked goods. My wife bakes and bags spiced pecans and gifts them by the dozens (to those without nut allergies). If you buy more than you need, gift them to yourself.
Save time and gas, shop online whenever humanly possible. Rather than making yourself presentable to the public, simply stay in your Sponge Bob pajamas, grab a cup of coffee, crank Taylor Swift, and shop from the comfort of your couch. Then, after you’ve purchased your gifts, have them delivered straight to the giftee.
Have your holiday meal(s) delivered by…oh, I don’t know, maybe MagicKitchen.com. You’ll be amazed how having an entire pre-cooked meal delivered to your door relieves holiday stress.
Wrap your presents as you get them, then hide them. If you wait until the eve of the big day to wrap presents, you’ve just created a stressful situation. This tip avoids that stressful situation…duh!
Stock up on holiday foods and alcohol for those awesome unexpected guests that arrive during the holidays. Just ensure you and your family like the food and drink you purchase so that they’ll be consumed if those unexpected guests unexpectedly don’t show up.
If you’re traveling, go with gift cards rather than bulky presents. That way, you can fit all your gifts in your pocket. Think of the stress avoided, especially if you’re flying.
Don’t forget to take care of you! If you find the holiday stress getting to you, take a break. Hit the spa, get a massage or mani/pedi, take in a movie, or simply find a quiet happy place and stay there for a while.