Christmas is a magical time of year – but it’s also a stressful one. Stress can come from so many sources: the build-up of the holidays, the necessary spending, decorating and shopping. It can seem like everything is going wrong, when it’s actually just the usual holiday chaos.
If you are one of those people who would rather skip Christmas than spend it in an anxious state of panic, this post is for you. We’ve got 10 sure-fire ways to enjoy Christmas and leave the stress behind with peace of mind in tow. We hope this saves your holidays and your sanity!
1. It’s all about warm feelings
Creating memories for yourself and for those around you. The holiday season is supposed to be full of joy, cheer, and laughter shared with loved ones. But sometimes all this extra time spent preparing, decorating, planning, parties, shopping, baking and being around so much family can cause a lot of stress for some, robbing them of the joy of the holidays. Don’t let stress ruin the magic of the season for you and those around you.
2. Bake, bustle and bedeck
This is one of the times when your work really pays off big time. Fill the house with the smell of ginger, chocolate and cinnamon. Fix a nice warm cup of hot cocoa, perhaps with a dash of peppermint schnapps or a mini candy cane for a pepperminty pick-me up.
Go out in the yard, cut holly and greens and drape them everywhere drapable. Put reindeer horns on the dog, mistletoe in the office break room, a big red bow on the mailbox, and definitely a big wreath on the front of your car. Wear a Christmas tie, Santa earrings, a decorated sweater and jingle bells on your ankles.
Bustle, do more, get in the spirit. Yes, you’re busy. You’re busy doing wonderful and fun things.
3. Spread good cheer
Many people do have a hard time with the holidays. If you don’t, let your light shine on the corners of others’ darkness. Carrying old hurt or offended feelings around with you will make it harder to feel the Christmas Spirit. Avoiding holiday stress starts with the condition of your heart!
4. It’s only “Commercialized” if you let it be
Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ and what he taught us. It’s about family. It’s about making memories, not shopping for stuff. If you let it, Christmas can be a wonderful chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas – and to be grateful for everything that’s true and good in your life.
5. Christmas works on any budget
Yes, it’s hard if you’re really facing a “hard-candy Christmas,” but it’s at those times that we’re often at our best. Cancel those excessive activities and commitments, plan some fun things to do with the ones that you love! There’s no better way to avoid stress then by having FUN!
Go ice skating or sledding. Have a snowball fight and then make snow angels when you are tired of running around. Whatever, you do, just make sure it is something fun that you and your loved ones will enjoy together and create lasting memories.
6. The perfect gift?
Giving of yourself. It requires no money whatsoever. Taking the time, and effort to show someone just how much they mean to you.
7. Love yourself and love the season, but focus on others
My many years raising funds for charities gave me a unique opportunity to see it’s really true – it’s the giver who gets the gift. It is great fun to sit down and think about who really needs some help. Baby sit for a friend one Saturday so she can go shop for the kids and have lunch out. Give a Christmas party for the kids down at the shelter.
(Tip: Buy the very best candy, not the cheap bag stuff. The delight will be all yours.)
Make homemade dog biscuits and deliver them to the animal shelter. If you’re of another faith, volunteer to staff the homeless shelter Christmas Eve, or to staff the hospital ER Christmas Day.
Put a jingle bell collar on your lovable pooch and take her to the nursing home. Call the neighbor, you know is sitting home alone and make a date to take them for a drive to look at Christmas lights and enjoy a little hot chocolate and Marzipan Star Cookies with you afterwards.
8. Find the sacred moments and don’t be afraid to cry
The joyous parts we talk about, but sitting down finally at the end of a long day in your rocker in front of the beautiful Christmas tree to rest and enjoy the beauty, put on your favorite christmas music or the famous movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The peace you feel at this moment is what Christmas is all about.
9. Love the Scrooges
They are there and you will hear them. There are people for whom there’s always something wrong with something, and this is just the next “something.” Just before going out to face them, put on your Christmas smile and be ready with your cheery answer. Here’s one I use, with my big holiday smile – “That’s okay. I’ll enjoy it for the both of us, and get twice as much fun out of it!”
10. It isn’t an intellectual debate
You’ll hear it — Should someone who isn’t “Christian” celebrate Christmas? Should we also do Hanukkah? Have we materialized Christmas so it has lost its meaning? Will we offend someone?
Is it a “religious” celebration or is it “secular”? My answer to this is, I’m at peace with my maker and my fellow man in my heart, I understand my way is not the only way, I see that nearly every culture celebrates something this time of year for a reason , and why on earth would you pass up any opportunity, ever, to celebrate, spread joy, enjoy one another, give and receive, eat, drink and be merry, and yes, worship?? Whatever face it wears, bring it on! A chance to celebrate unity, purpose, creativity and faith? Hey, don’t leave me out!
P.S. Nowhere it is more applicable that anything worth doing, is worth overdoing! Joy to the World!
