5 Easy Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

Christmas could become stressful with too many unnecessary pressures like thoroughly cleaning the entire house (in 1-3 days!); buying all your loved ones the gifts that will put the widest smiles of their faces; saying “yes” to all your invitations to Christmas socials; waiting last minute to do everything; and the like.

Here are 5 easy tips to reduce holiday stress:

1) Determine who and what is important to you from now.

I once was told, “If you don’t have a plan for your life, someone else will gladly have one for you”. So, before all the outside pressures start coming in, decide who or what you will prioritize this Christmas. 

What are your holiday goals?

Here a few of my humble suggestions:-😀

• Value yourself – Make self-care a priority like getting enough rest; exercising; making time to play; eating healthy; etc. Add them to your calendar and protect those appointments with yourself.
• Value your immediate family and/or persons in your household. We can get so busy during the holidays that we neglect the most important relationships. The greatest gift we can give another is the gift of our presence (which doesn’t cost any money!). Plus, this precious gift will outlast any material gift.
• Value your relationship with Jesus. From now, make a plan to spend time with Jesus every single day. Although we say Christmas is about Jesus, too often, our relationship with Him becomes an afterthought replaced by all the Christmas hustle and bustle.

2) Make a budget.

What a whole lot of temptation we have during this time! Holiday sales do not help. What will help is to determine your budget from now and track your expenses. And PLEASEEEEEEE resist the urge to spend your December end salary in December! (“A word for the wise is sufficient”👊🏽😉)

3) Make a gift list and be guided by your budget.

Your finances may have been hard hit economic down-turns and rising prices. What can you do? Get creative! Make this Christmas different and special. Instead of buying presents, make gifts. One year, I baked goodies for my friends and co-workers. You can even make decorations if you’re so inclined. What do you have in your hands?

Re-assess the love languages of your loved ones and love them in the way that they feel most loved. For example, if your mother’s primary love language is acts of service, you can create a coupon card (make it very pretty!) with redeemable gifts like cleaning the bathroom for one month for coupon 1, a foot massage for coupon 2, ironing all her clothes for 2 months for coupon 3, etc. (Keep in mind the necessary chores that she doesn’t like to do.)

Remember that there are other love languages beside giving gifts, namely words of affirmation, touch, acts of service and quality time. Not everyone you love is into gifts.

4) Use a schedule.

Using a schedule will help you to plan your time wisely. Prevent schedule clashes and determine what you can realistically do or cannot do. Also, protect the appointments with yourself. Self-care is very important.

Insert time blocks for the following:

• Spending time with God
• Self-care
• Family/friends time
• Cleaning/decorating
• Shopping (physical and/or online)
• Cooking and Baking
• Distributing presents (if relevant)
• Work and work-related holiday events

Remember, you’re not superwoman and saying “no” is always an option!

5) Plan your menu now.

Take some time right now and come up with your holiday menu (if you haven’t already).

What will you cook/bake? What ingredients will you need? When will you get them? What are your deadlines? Which recipes will you use?

Take advantage of sales now and try your best not to lose precious time stuck in traffic or long supermarket lines.

Hope these tips will help you!

Summary

While you may love the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it is important that you manage your stress level. What will you do differently this Christmas? What Christmas traditions will you keep and which will you discard or put on pause for this year?

To recap,

Here are 5 easy tips to reduce holiday stress:

• Determine who and what is important to you from now.
• Make a budget.
• Make a gift list and be guided by your budget.
• Use a schedule.
• Plan your menu now.

Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

With love & laughter,

Kimberly Garth

Other Helpful Resources:

14 Epic New Year’s Resolutions for a Better You

How to QUICKLY Build Your Emergency Fund | 5 Smart Tips 

How to Spend Time with God Every Day AND Enjoy It!

Recommended Books:

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature by Peter Scazzero

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

Recommended Reading Device (LOVE IT!):