Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by karenpadgett25
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But for many people, they can also be a time of stress and anxiety. If you want to have a stress-free holiday season, follow these tips:
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Make a plan
Making a plan in order to have a stress-free holiday is key. By knowing what you need to do and when, you can avoid the stress of trying to remember everything at the last minute.
The more organized you are, the less stress you will feel. Plan out what you need to do each day and week leading up to Christmas, and make a list of what you need to buy.
Here are some tips:
1. Make a list of what needs to be done. This includes everything from shopping for gifts to making travel arrangements.
2. Break down the tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make it easier to stay on track and not feel overwhelmed.
3. Circle the dates on your calendar that specific tasks need to be completed. This will help keep you organized and on schedule.
2. Set realistic expectations
Don’t expect everything to be perfect – remember that this is only one day of the year Relax and enjoy yourself – no one is expecting miracles from you.
3. Spend time with loved ones
The best part of the holidays is spending time with those we love most – so make sure you spend plenty of quality time with them!
4.Avoid stress triggers
If there are things that tend to stress you out during the holidays (e.g., crowded malls, long lines), try to avoid them.
You should consider ordering gifts online and having your packages picked up instead of standing in line at the post office.
5. Delegate tasks
If you want to have a stress-free holiday, you’ll need to delegate some tasks to others.
Here are some tips for delegating tasks:
1. Delegate tasks that you don’t enjoy. There’s no need to stress yourself out by doing tasks that you don’t enjoy. Delegate these tasks to someone else who can do them without stress.
2. Delegate tasks that are time-consuming. If a task takes a long time, it’s likely to cause stress. Delegate this task to someone who has the time to do it properly.
3. Delegate tasks that are complex. If a task is complex, it’s more likely to cause stress. Delegate this task to someone who is capable of completing it successfully.
Ask for help from friends and family members. If there are any tasks that you don’t feel comfortable delegating, ask for help from friends and family members who are happy to lend a hand. This will help take some of the stress off of you and allow you to relax and enjoy your holiday season.
6. Stick to your budget
Christmas is a time for family, friends, good food and plenty of fun. However, for many people it can also be a time of stress as they try to stick to a budget.
Here are seven tips for having a stress-free holiday without breaking the bank.
1. Make a list and stick to it. Decide what you really want and need for Christmas and don’t go overboard buying things that will just end up collecting dust in the back of a closet.
2. Set a budget and stick to it. Work out how much you can afford to spend on Christmas gifts, decorations, food and drinks and don’t go over that amount.
3. Have a plan B in case things get too expensive. If you do go over budget, have a plan B in place so you don’t stress out about it. Maybe you could have a cheaper Christmas dinner or fewer presents.
4. Make your own gifts. Homemade gifts are always appreciated and they don’t have to cost a lot of money. There are lots of recipes online for edible gifts, beauty products, etc.
5. Shop around for the best deals. Compare prices online and in stores before buying anything so you can get the best deal possible.
6. Use coupons and loyalty cards. Get discounts on your purchases by using coupons and loyalty cards from your favorite stores.
7. Draw up a budget spreadsheet. This will help you keep track of how much you’re spending and how much money you have left to spend on Christmas goodies!
Check out my blog post 8 Easy Ways to Earn Cash for Christmas.
8 Easy Ways to Earn Cash for Christmas
7. Keep things organized
Organize your gift wrapping supplies, your Christmas cards, and everything else related to the holiday season.
8.Have a Well-Stocked Pantry
There is nothing worse than not having that key ingredient you need for your holiday dinner. Having a well-stocked PANTRY can alleviate tons of stress on the big day.
I suggest organizing and cleaning out your PANTRY and fridge a couple of weeks prior and make your holiday shopping list at the same time. Take inventory of everything you have so you know exactly what you need to get from the store.
9. Prepare Guest Rooms and Bathrooms
You always want to have your house ready for guests. Make sure you have plenty of HAND TOWELS, Kleenex, toilet paper and HAND LOTION in your guest bathrooms. Replace or clean the SHOWER CURTAINS AND LINERS and put down fresh clean RUGS.
Have your linen closet stocked with clean SHEETS, PILLOW CASES, TOWELS and WASH CLOTHS. You will want to tidy up your guest bedrooms, put clean linens on the beds and de-clutter so your overnight guests will have room for their stuff. Clean out and organize the closet, dresser drawers and under the bed.
It is kind of chilly during the holiday season so you will want to have extra BLANKETS available for your guests. You may want to consider purchasing one of those BLANKET LADDERS to put in your guest rooms.
10. Wrap Gifts as You Buy Them
It is easier to wrap a couple of gifts at a time instead of 50 gifts on Christmas Eve night. I would suggest setting up a gift wrap station in one of your rooms. Whenever you go out shopping, make plans to wrap those gifts either the same evening or the next day.
11. Buy Extra Gifts
Always keep a few extra gifts on hand. You never know who is going to show up to those holiday parties un-expectantly and you don’t want to be caught empty handed, especially when there are little ones.
Consider starting a GIFT Closet. You can purchase sale items throughout the year; throw them in your gift closet so you will always have last minute gifts. And don’t forget Hostess gifts for those parties you are invited to.
One of my favorite gifts I like to stock up on are the FLAMELESS CANDLES. They are really cool and such a practical gift. Everyone can use them in their home.
12. Consider Giving Gift Cards
It may seem impersonal but buying gift cards can take a big load off of you when it comes to picking out presents. Either you don’t know what to get someone or the gift they want was sold out in June. Don’t let gift-giving stress you out. Have a stress-free holiday and opt for gift cards.
13. Deep Clean Your Home
Nothing will stress you out more than having a cluttered-dirty house when guests are expected. You should consider doing a deep clean and de-clutter prior to the holiday.
Check out this article Fall Cleaning and Organizing for tips on how to get your home in order for the holidays.
20 Tips for Fall Cleaning and Organizing
14. Utilize your Crockpot
We have all been there…most of the dinner sitting on the table getting cold while you are waiting for the mac n cheese to come out of the oven. Limited oven space put a damper on your holiday meal schedule. You should consider utilizing your crock pot for some of your cooking. I always slice my ham and put in the crock pot with brown sugar and water to warm.
15. Take time for yourself
This is the most important tip for having a stress-free holiday. Don’t let the holidays overwhelm you. Always make time for yourself.
Here are a few ideas to de-stress:
- take a hot bath with some ESSENTIAL OILS or BATH SALTS
- read a good book in front of the fire
- treat yourself to a nice dinner out
- schedule yourself a massage or plan a day at your local spa
- schedule a night out
- meditate for 10-15 minutes every morning or evening
Conclusion:
The Holidays can definitely take it’s toll on you. Having a game plan and doing a little prep work can help you tackle the season like a champ.
Hope this article helps you have a little-less stress this holiday season.
