How to Avoid Holiday Stress in 8 Easy Ways
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We are in the middle of the holiday season. There are so many things to think about, like: gifts, food, decorations, work, travel, parties, more food, more decorations … No wonder why we easily get overwhelmed and experience holiday stress.
In this article you will find 8 easy ways to reduce your stress and enjoy the holiday season.
1. Be Organized
It’s important to be organized for the holiday, or you will waste a lot of time and get irritable. We don’t want that right? The holiday season is supposed to be fun!
My secret weapon to stay organized during this busy season is simple.
LISTS!
I do lists for everything, gift ideas for everybody and every party, food ideas, parties we are invited to, even blog articles for the season!
Writing things down helps me to better visualize what and when I need things done.
2. Create a Pinterest Board
Why should you create a Pinterest board?
First of all, Pinterest is fun! You can find a lot of ideas for food, presents, decorations, etc. It helps you to be organized and also inspire you to try new things!
Plus there are plenty of beautiful pictures that can add to your board to visualize how you want to decorate your house.
I just love Pinterest!
Start your stress free holiday board with this pin:
3. Do a Potluck
Hosting a party can be stressful. You have to think of everything, the guest list and the decorations for your home to make it festive. You also need to figure out how to seat everybody and what you will cook. And obviously, it requires making holiday dishes, which can take hours to cook.
So this year, let’s make it simpler!
If you are hosting a party, ask your guest to bring a dish and if you are invited ask the host what you can bring.
You can also order a party platter online. Sun Basket offers a holiday platter* for 8-10 people. It includes cheese, charcuterie, sauces, spreads, accompaniments, crackers and toasts!
Order Sun Basket’s Ultimate Party Platter here!*
The holiday season is about sharing! And sharing is good for your stress.
4. Shop Online
Now, I do most of my holiday shopping online. I try to avoid the lines at the stores as much as possible! Plus you can find better deals, use coupons easily and you receive them right on your door only a few days after.
If you need ideas for online gift shopping, check out my article with 60 fun and peaceful gift ideas.
To avoid your packages being stolen (yes this happened to me a couple of years ago) you can make sure they are delivered when you are home, you can have them delivered at work, or to a specific place like Amazon Locks.
5. Go to the grocery store 3 days earlier
Okay, let’s be real. We have all waited the last moment to go grocery shopping on Thanksgiving, Christmas eve, New Years Eve, 4th of July.
And every time we say. NEVER AGAIN!
The shelves are almost empty, the lines are extremely long and we think about the fact that we should be home cooking instead of wasting our time.
So this year, you and I, are going to make a deal. Okay?
We will go to the grocery store at least 3 days before Christmas and New Year’s Eve!
6. Take time for you
The winter holidays are about giving but sometimes it’s good to take a break and think about you!
Go to the spa, get your nails done, eat a cupcake, buy a new dress for the holidays, take the time to do your hair and your makeup before your guests arrive.
Do anything you want, but do something for you.
7. Learn How to say no
This one has been hard in the past. The truth is that we cannot please everybody and we need to think about ourselves sometimes.
So if you have too many commitments, say no to some of them.
You don’t need to attend all of your friends parties.
You don’t need to host several parties.
You don’t need to cook a 5 course dinner.
Only say yes to what you have time and resources to do!
8. Make a bucket list
The holiday season is supposed to be fun! So have fun. Don’t just run from the kitchen to the store. Take a break with your family, friends or just you.
Make a list of fun things to do, like snow tubing, watch the Fantastic Beasts, chop your own christmas tree, get hot cocoa and read a book by the fireplace.
It can be anything you want to do alone or with someone else.
Over To you
- Make a list of what you have to do
- Make a list and budget of gifts for your friends and family
- Make a list of fun things to do
What do you do to have stress free holidays? Share your tips in the comments!
* This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided. Read our Amazon Affiliate Disclosure here.
dwellboxes
December 2, 2016 at 10:14 amShopping early is the way to go!
Lisa Sell
December 5, 2016 at 12:52 pmIt’s astounding how stressful the festive season can be. I think it’s because we place such high expectations upon ourselves and others to have the perfect Christmas. Great tips!
Amy
December 5, 2016 at 1:04 pmPrepping a good few weeks before and online shopping are by far my favorite ways to cut out Christmas stress!
Sofia
December 5, 2016 at 1:19 pmGreat tips! Much needed at this time of year…can’t believe it’s already December!
Amanda Mason
December 5, 2016 at 1:21 pmI really like all of these, especially number 7. I really need to learn to say no. I think in today’s society, we are expected to know everything and answer every questions…even if we dont know the answer. I think it’s ok to say, “I dont know…I’ll have to research and get back to you!” And it is ok to say no…it’s healthy! Thanks for the reminder! Love this!
Bianca
December 5, 2016 at 1:34 pmI always find that everyone around me stresses about xmas…I take it easy, I don’t overdo the gifts and I enjoy my family and friends.
But I know a few people who could use this post!
annalisanuttall
December 5, 2016 at 1:51 pmOmg people get so stressed over the Christmas period, chill out people. Prepping is such a good idea and one that more people should do. xx
Clarissa
December 5, 2016 at 1:54 pmGoing to the grocery store early is PRIME advice…I know it, and yet I never listen to it!
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
yourorganizedlifewithdaria
December 5, 2016 at 2:15 pmAs a professional organizer my favorite of course is-be organized! 🙂 I love the idea of a bucket list. Sometimes we are so busy getting through what we have to do, we forget to do the things that make this a magical season.
Mandi
December 5, 2016 at 2:35 pmGreat tips!
Lindsey
December 5, 2016 at 2:37 pmCompletely agree about the grocery store bit! Oh and definitely to the shop online or create you own gifts too. People are always cray cray during the holiday! I personally like to do facetime or skype calls with friends or family that I’m unable to visit during the holidays – those are always a fun way to de-stress too!
Jolina
December 5, 2016 at 2:45 pmI do most of my shopping online too. The crowds at the malls have gotten too much lately! And yes to potlucks 🙂 That way we only have to cook 1 or 2 dishes and everybody can sample everybody’s cooking!
Holly Nelson
December 5, 2016 at 3:32 pmI plan to go grocery shopping for Christmas THIS WEEK. Simply because I’m from Florida and the snow birds take EVERYTHING! lol
Brittany_WMSB
December 5, 2016 at 8:12 pmThanks for giving me permission to say no to some things. I’ve said yes, unintentionally, to too much this month. I think I’ll institute a “no more” for the rest of December!
Marian Mitchell
December 5, 2016 at 8:51 pmI do all of these to help keep me sane. However, instead of having it spelled out for me so nicely like this, I figured it out over the course of years lol Thank you for writing this!
amandasettle
December 5, 2016 at 10:26 pmGreat tips and I’ve got to agree that learning to say is so important at this time of year and for life. The other tip I’d give is plan ahead, I use the bullet journal system which has really got me more organised this year 🙂
TheMommyAvenger
December 6, 2016 at 8:17 amGreat and helpful tips here. I try to do most of them myself. And yes, definitely make time for Fantastic Beasts!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen
December 6, 2016 at 9:07 amThere are some great tips in this post. I’m way over stressed around the holidays so I should probably do a few of these.
Heather
December 6, 2016 at 9:22 amA few of these strategies are already in use, and I would also add – keep your expectations low in certain situations as opposed to getting worked up. But yes — online shopping all the way!
Hang Around The World
December 6, 2016 at 9:33 amThis post is what I need during this holiday season. I’m organized so the first tip it’s okay but I have to learn how to say no, I will follow your tips 🙂 – P
Nicole Parise
December 6, 2016 at 9:47 amPinterest is a huge resource for me for the holidays! Great ideas 🙂
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
LaKisha Riddick
December 6, 2016 at 10:26 am#1 and #7 have definitely helped me not to be stressed out during the holidays! I have lists for everything too. A good old fashioned checklist works wonders for me. I don’t have to rely on memory alone.
zozieposie
December 6, 2016 at 11:50 amSo many ideas- I do lots of these so we think alike there – especially not leaving shopping till last minute
Kristy Marshall
December 6, 2016 at 1:09 pmWonderful list! Thank you for sharing. My phrase for the year was “no, thank you.” Hard to deny, but worthwhile for my family!
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder
December 6, 2016 at 4:21 pmLove the bucket list idea (and I holiday shop online for other people but love in person shopping for me)