It's no secret that the holidays can be stressful. Underneath all the festive cheer is a desire to meet everyone's needs... and often, that doesn't include yours. Take a few minutes this Christmas season to discover how you can carve out time to tend to your needs while still ensuring everyone else has a joyous holiday!
Christmas Eve Preparations
1. Order Takeout on Christmas Eve
There are already a ton of things to do on Christmas Eve. Picking up last-minute groceries and gifts, visiting friends and family, attending parties, etc. Make it easy on yourself and order takeout.
2. Have Things Delivered
If you’re like me, you are always forgetting things on your shopping list. Instead of braving the traffic and crowds, have everything delivered to make things easier.
3. Make Wrapping Easy
Keep gift boxes and bags handy if wrapping gets too tedious or you run out of tape or paper. One of my favorite places to go for wrapping supplies is Dollar Tree because you can get a lot for very little money.
4. Let someone Else Wrap
If the store you are ordering from offers gift wrapping, take it.
5. Choose Your Outfit Before Christmas Eve Service
If you and your family are attending Christmas Eve service, have everyone choose their outfit ahead of time and make sure they know where all items of clothing are.
Christmas Day Foods
6. Make Your Cookie Dough Ahead of Time
If you plan on baking on Christmas Eve for a party, make your dough ahead of time. Then all you have to do is bake the cookies and let them cool. Double-check your recipes to make sure that you can make the dough ahead of time and chill it.
7. Look for Make-ahead Breakfast Recipes
Christmas morning is always full of excitement for the kids. Instead of spending all your time in the kitchen, look for some breakfast recipes you can make ahead. Things like crockpot egg casserole, overnight breakfast enchiladas, or overnight oatmeal. With a little prep the night before, your breakfast will either be ready in the crock pot or ready to bake in the morning.
8. Keep Christmas Dinner Simple
Christmas dinner doesn’t always have to be a turkey or ham and all the trimmings. Give yourself a break and keep it simple. Make a big brunch and then do soup and sandwiches later. You could also make a casserole a crockpot or an Instapot meal.
9. Cook What You Know
There is no need to dive into a big, fancy recipe you’re not familiar with for the holidays. It will only cause you more stress. Instead, cook what you know and are familiar with.
10. Order Sides and Desserts
Take some pressure off by ordering side dishes and desserts for pickup at your favorite grocery store or restaurant.
11. Cook for Surprise Guests Ahead of Time
When you are cooking for your family the week before Christmas, double the recipe and freeze half. This way, if you have surprise guests arrive, you can have a meal on the table in a snap.
12. Watch Your Sugar Intake
The holidays are ripe with sweet treats everywhere, but take part in moderation. Too much extra sugar causes blood sugar highs and lows and can leave you feeling more anxious and less able to handle stress.
Easy Takedown
13. Get a Christmas Tree Bag
When putting the tree up, the bag has one opening for the tree trunk and the other end for the drawstring. You insert the trunk into the hole of the bag for the trunk and then into the tree stand. After removing all the ornaments and lights, all you do is pull the bag straight up over the top of the tree and pull the drawstring like you would on a garbage bag. This will contain the needles and make it cleaner and easier to get a fresh tree out of the house.
14. Have a Wrapping Paper Pickup Contest
After all the presents are opened, have a wrapping paper pickup contest. The goal will be to see who can pick up the wrappings from their gifts the fastest and win a small prize.
15. Splurge and Hire Someone to Clean
Having to clean your house besides all the other things that need to be done is one of the biggest stressors of the holidays. If you can afford it, hire someone to come clean your home at least once in December.
Self-care, Time, and Boundaries
16. Pray
Before you do anything on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, pause and pray. Thank God for his gift of Jesus, for all he has done for you this year, for your family, etc. This will help you start your day off in a purposeful and peaceful way.
17. Take Time for Self-care
You can practice self-care in many ways. If you are on medication or go to therapy, make sure you keep it up throughout the holiday season. Go to your weekly or monthly massage. Block out an hour every day to do something for yourself that you enjoy. This could be taking a long, hot bath, indulging in a few pieces of special candy, or reading before bed. By taking care of yourself, you will be happy, healthier, and less stressed.
18. Take a Break from the News
We live in a troubled world, and it’s important to keep up with the news and what is going on locally and around the world. However, watching too much news can cause worrying and anxiety. Make a vow to turn off the news on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to regain your peace.
19. Set Personal Boundaries
Set personal boundaries as far as friends and relatives are concerned. It’s fun to gather with friends and relatives during the holiday season, but we also need to set a day aside to spend with our immediate family.
20. Be Happy with “Good Enough”
Decide ahead of time to be fine with “good enough.” Our culture is full of photos and depictions of the “perfect Christmas”, but this is in the beholder's eye.
First, we need to decide that we are “good enough” no matter what we see on social media and television. Someone can have a “good enough” Christmas with a small amount of presents and a simple meal just as much as someone with an enormous pile of presents and an extravagant meal can. It’s all about perspective.
23. Don't Shop for People
As we all know, money cannot buy happiness. Instead, give experiences to those you love. Take your nephew to a museum he wants to go to. If you have a friend who owns a bakery, ask them if they would arrange a day to teach your niece how to bake. Plan a family trip for the next year and spend the least amount of money possible. Watching their eyes light up at what they have to look forward to is better than any toy or video game.
22. Give Up High-stress Traditions
Do you have a favorite tradition that stresses your family out? Do the kids whine about it or that they have outgrown it? Ditch it for something simpler that focuses on spending time together as a family.
23. Send E-cards
If sending physical Christmas cards is too much, opt for sending e-cards instead.
24. Head Outdoors
Go outside for a walk or run on Christmas Eve day or Christmas morning. It will help you clear your head, spend some quiet time with the Lord, and help you manage your stress.
Travel Plans
25. Send Gifts Early if Traveling
Instead of packing gifts in carry-on and luggage, ship them early for a stress-free trip and a merry Christmas.
26. Get Your Car Checked
There is nothing worse than being on a road trip and having car trouble. Be sure you take the time to get your car looked over at your favorite garage or by your personal mechanic. Make sure they check your tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and top off all fluids.
If you want to add some extra security, double-check with your insurance company if you have roadside assistance, look into Triple-A, or (if your car is equipped) activate an OnStar subscription.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day don’t have to be full of stress. Choose a few tips above and get ready to have a less stressed, peaceful holiday.
Photo Credit: ©Getty-DGLimages
