The holiday season is right around the corner, and what should be an occasion of joy, can very quickly turn into a stress-ridden, multi-month monster to-do list. In America, bigger and more are almost always equivalent with better. But, in our heart of hearts, we know different. If you look back at nostalgic Christmas movies and traditions of old, they were often centered around simple, down to earth activities and joys. I am a firm believer of the need to re-instate simple joy in our culture! Here are my best tips to elevate your Christmas prep and help you get all set for the upcoming season.
1. Start a Christmas Sinking Fund. Set a budget that you want to spend on Christmas and save a portion of that total each month of the year beginning in January. By the time Christmas rolls around, you’ll have all the cash saved up that you need to make the Christmas magic happen. This eliminates SO much financial stress come October through December.
2. Start your preparations in November. Think of Christmas as a long-term project or goal that you can break down into small goals or to-do’s. Maybe start with just an hour a week of preparation time. Don’t be afraid to get organized! A spreadsheet and a budget never hurt anyone. A little early organization goes a long way for your sanity in late December.
3. Minimize your Christmas décor. I know, I know, I love a good winter wonderland scene just as much as anyone. However, over the years, I’ve learned that a more minimalist-appearing Christmas is not only easier to manage, but it way more relaxing for our brain to visually interpret. Not convinced? Spend some time scrolling through visual platforms with the search ‘minimalist Christmas decorations’ or even check out some tiny house-style decorating. Believe me, a little goes a long way for your visual pleasure AND personal sanity at Christmastime. Pro tip: take photos of where you’ve placed everything before you put it away in storage bins for the season. It will give your brain one fewer chore when it comes to decorating next Christmas.
4. Prioritize your Christmas traditions. Early in November, ask your family members to write down their top two favorite Christmas traditions. As best you can, try to use this list to help you declutter your Christmas traditions and dial them into the ones that have the most meaning and impact. Chances are, you’re going to be surprised that some of what you’ve been killing yourself to accomplish doesn’t even touch the list.
5. Be Mindful of Marketing. If you haven’t yet come to realize, our entire culture is one giant marketing blitz. You are constantly being marketed at to feel inadequate to need a new product to complete or improve your life. Christmas is a major example of the everyday marketing reality we live in. Check in with yourself when you feel compelled to add one more decoration, tradition, calendar event, food item to your Christmas plan. Oftentimes, our impulses play directly into our weaknesses. Mindfulness is so important in these moments.
6. Freeze food ahead for your gatherings. My guess is that most of us are no stranger to frozen Christmas cookies and fudge, but what about freezing ahead main and side dishes for your upcoming gathering? November is a wonderful time to get busy in and heat up the kitchen. Make a delicious lasagna when you have the time to focus on it, freeze it, and simply bake into its glorious deliciousness at Christmastime. In fact, start freezing Christmas cookies for your exchanges in October and November. Every little bit counts!
7. If you have children in your life, get them involved. Okay, this can be nothing but a headache with toddlers and infants (nap time is where it’s at!), but for those school-aged children and up, don’t be afraid to give them some important Christmas tasks. For example, with our dog, we wait to put any Christmas presents under the tree until just a few hours before opening. My kids happily organized the present mobilization and organization under the tree right before we planned to open them. For older children, why not let them plan and lead an entire tradition? Cookie baking & decorating, mealtime dishes, present wrapping, Christmas cards, Christmas deliveries, etc. All humans like to feel useful and valuable. Give your kids the gift of feeling like an essential part of the team. It builds their confidence and skills as they grow into future adults, too.
8. Skip wrapping Santa’s gifts. My parents never did, so we don’t. Instantly cuts your wrapping workload in half. Plus, the kids love seeing everything when they come out on Christmas morning! We just make general piles with their labeled stockings laying on top so they know which pile of loot is theirs. If you want to get extra fancy, get their toys ‘play’ ready, so they can get right to work upon arrival.
9. Stop scrolling to de-stress. Scrolling is not a de-stressor. Let me say it again. Scrolling does not decrease your stress. It’s not an actual break for your brain. Your brain needs to disengage. Instead, do something restorative. Take a walk, take a bath, make something creative, read a good book, play with your kids or pets, enjoy a warm drink & some soft instrumental Christmas music.
10. Give yourself 15-20 minutes of silence a day. Silence is really a gift to our brains and our souls. We need this time to recharge and restore, most especially during taxing seasons of our lives. Try to give yourself even just 15 minutes a day to unplug. Get outside or even look at a picture of nature. The natural world is an evidence-based tool to that is proven to help reduce our stress levels.
11. Take an actual break during Christmas vacation. I know this one can be scary and requires you to say ‘no’, but seriously, you and your family need a break. This means slower mornings, pjs, cozy meals at home, toys, games, and crafts. Playing in the snow for hours and coming in for a hot cocoa break. We are crazy addicted to busy in this culture. Our kids want to just spend time enjoying childhood and time at home/together. It’s not to say you can’t have anything planned. Just make sure you aren’t constantly on the go this Christmas break. You and your family are worth more than keeping up this hectic, unhealthy pace.
Maybe you’re already doing many of these, but my hope is that one of these suggestions will inspire you to make some movement toward a more peaceful and calm Christmas experience. May your time with family and friends overflow with much joy & contentment.