We all know that once Thanksgiving is over it’s pedal to the floor, all the way until Christmas. If you’re like me, you love this time of year but feel overwhelmed and overstressed just thinking about all the events, gifts, and obligations waiting for your time and attention. The best advice I can give myself, and anyone feeling the pressure this time of year, is to take a deep breath, make a list for what you need to buy and keep a calendar of your events, so you know what you do and don’t have time for. It’s ok to say no to some things this time of year, and only commit to the things that are truly important and make you happy. Doing things that you don’t want to do is just going to cause more stress and anxiety, and before you know it, you’re just wishing for the holidays to be over so you can slow down.
Making Lists
The best way for me to decide what’s important is to evaluate whether the time, event, and cost are in my best interest, or my family’s best interest. If you have a budget for events, write it all down and stick to that budget, making sure you include clothing, food, etc. that list so you know what you should spend. Do the same thing with gifts. If you’re like my family, we have a pretty standard gift amount we spend on each other, and try our very best to stick to that. I find it super helpful to make a list of everyone we have to buy for, and as we decide what the gifts are and how much they cost, everything gets written down so we know exactly what we’re spending. It also helps to make sure you don’t forget anyone, and once the gift is purchased, it gets highlighted on my list.
Calendars and Planners
Everyone has a system that works for them, and maybe making lists isn’t yours. Do whatever will make your life easier by staying organized and keeping track of everything going on. I live by my paper planner and would be lost without it. Maybe you prefer the calendar in your phone (I actually use both LOL) but putting the information in one place so you have the option to say ‘I’ve got too much going on this week and I’m not adding anything else to the calendar’ will really help put things in perspective. My rule of thumb for this time of year is to make sure we have two nights off per week, to stay home and regroup.
Shop Small
Another thing I try and make sure I do this time of year is support local and small businesses. Being a small business owner myself, I know how much it means when people choose to buy from me, versus big box stores and websites. I have nothing against Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc. and in fact I shop from all of them as well, but I try and utilize friends and local businesses as much as I can for Christmas gifts. If you know someone who sells something handmade, or owns a small local shop, show them some love this season.
Ultimately, you need to do whatever works for you and your family so that you can enjoy the season and not feel overwhelmed. If that means scheduling some family time in your calendar for things like tree decorating, or making cookies, then write it down and block that time from other outside events. My kids are older now but we still enjoy the traditional things we do together, and it’s important to make time for each other in this busy season. Feel free to share any ideas you have for staying organized and destressed this time of year, and don’t forget to shop small. If you own a small business or know someone who does, post a link in the comments section so others can find you. Here are links to my small businesses below. Here’s to relaxing and enjoying December! Share the love this holiday season! 🙂
Simply Deevine on Etsy