“There’s something about a
holiday that isn’t all about how
much money you spend.”
-Hilarie Burton-
It’s
that time once again when we start thinking about our holiday preparations.
Halloween is just around the corner and we will be picking out ghoulish
costumes and the latest and greatest candy for all our neighbors to enjoy. Soon
after, we have Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, etc. Although this is
a time for excitement, fun, and festivities, it can also be a time of stress,
chaos, and high energy. Staying sane as we navigate our way into the busiest
season of the year can often be a challenge.
This
year we encourage you to try something new. Can you envision a year with no
rushing for last minute Christmas gifts or getting the first pick of Halloween
candy? How about having Thanksgiving dinner on time this year or maybe even 5
minutes ahead of schedule? A stress-free and enjoyable holiday season may be a
new concept for us all, but it’s certainly possible with a little help, careful
planning, time management skills, and prioritizing. Below are a few of our
favorite tips for remaining stress-free during the busiest time of the year.
First, make sure to plan
ahead. So often we put things aside until the very last minute. We rush to
finish purchasing gifts, making travel arrangements, cleaning our homes, and
even preparing lavish dinners. This year give yourself a sufficient amount of
time to get everything completed. You will save yourself enormous amounts of
frustration and unnecessary chaos. Next, take time for yourself. If you
don’t learn to relax through all the preparations, you can over work yourself
and burn out quickly. While shopping for your holiday gifts, take a break and
get a massage or enjoy a cup of tea at the nearest cafe. This moment of pause
will give you some time to relax, gather your thoughts, and effectively plan
out your next task.
Finally, this year embrace
your limits. There’s so many of us that try to bite off more than we can
chew. It’s important to ask for help when you need it and delegate
chores, cooking, shopping, etc. Not only is it a great way to get the entire
family in the holiday spirit, but it also takes a load off of you. This will
allow you to enjoy the moments spent preparing for this special time, instead
of it all becoming a blur because you rushed to finish everything. We wish you
the best as you start preparing
for this special time of
year. Happy Holidays!
