No matter how many lists you make, cards you send, gifts you buy, or packages you wrap, there will be things you meant to do this holiday season that won’t get done. If you manage to do everything but are too tired to enjoy the season, everyone suffers.
Consider these tips to minimize your stress and maximize the meaning of this holiday season:
1. Manipulate tradition. Dragging yourself through “we always have” rituals when they have lost their meaning, and you have lost your energy, does not contribute to holiday cheer.
2. Start the season by making a list, but don’t stop there. Choose the most important item, the second and later in the list. Remember, a creative mind always has more ideas than the body can come up with!
3. Use your calendar, not only for appointments with other people, but also with yourself. If you plan to send cards, estimate how long it will take to write and address them, and block that time into your calendar.
4. Ask your family what is important. Prepared meals instead of homemade means more time to share new sports equipment and relax with friends.
5. Avoid perfectionism in gift giving. It is the intention that counts. Choose one or two gifts that can be used by several people. A relaxed parent or hostess is a greater gift than anything money can buy.
6. Focus your energy. If your family isn’t as excited as you are about decorating the entire house, invest your efforts in what means the most to you.
7. If the holidays bring grief due to death, divorce, or family estrangement, be kind to yourself. Recognize that the grievance is healthy and that next year will be better, even if you can’t believe it today. Focus on making other people’s vacations more joyful.
8. Take a break from total bonding. Let your child call a friend and take a nap. Give your siblings car keys and a map. The idea is that everyone enjoys the occasion.
9. Be clear about expectations. If you never tell your family what you want them to do, it’s unfair to expect them to know.
10. Check your list, do what you can live without and enjoy the real reason for the season.
