When it comes to Christmas, we all know the soundbites: ‘Tis the season to be jolly’, ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’ and ‘Goodwill to all’. However, the lived reality of Christmas is often a far cry from cosy slogans and promises of happiness.
For many, the mere prospect of the holiday season, from cooking Christmas dinner to finding perfect presents and ensuring everything is flawless on the big day can leave them feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
However, with a bit of forethought and planning, there are simple, practical steps you can take to help make your Christmas truly enjoyable. Here are our top ten tips:
1. Plan Ahead
A well-thought-out plan makes every scenario more manageable, and the longer the lead time, the more effective it will be, so start planning early. To maximise efficiency, make a checklist and try to plan tasks in a logical order. Don’t try and tackle the big jobs back to back, as the workload will only become more challenging with each activity. Instead, alternate the more demanding tasks with easier ones to balance rest and productivity.
2. Set Realistic Expectations
Managing expectations – whether someone else’s or your own – can be challenging, so be honest, know your limits and make sure you’re able to do what you’ve agreed to. If you work in a high-pressure environment that demands long hours, you’ll probably not be able to manage the longer, time-consuming jobs, but there will be plenty of smaller tasks you can do, even if it’s just walking the dog or wrapping some presents. People do understand, so don’t take on too much or give yourself ridiculous deadlines that just can’t be met.
3. Ask for Help
During the holiday season, it’s common to hesitate in seeking help, as we often worry about overburdening others, but trying to handle everything alone can be counterproductive. When we overextend ourselves, it not only increases our stress but can also cause concern among those who care about us. Instead of trying to shoulder all the responsibility, consider reaching out for support. Whether it’s delegating a specific task to someone more skilled or simply asking for assistance with general preparations, sharing the load can make the festive season more manageable and enjoyable for everyone. Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a wise strategy to ensure a more harmonious and stress-free holiday experience.
4. Acknowledge Your Feelings
Scheduling and time management are great ways to work through tasks efficiently. However, if it’s too rigid, it quickly turns from a help to a hindrance. Give yourself permission to down tools and leave any tasks that are becoming too much until tomorrow. Knowing you can regain control of your demanding schedule will help make your to-do list more manageable.
5. Drop High-Stress Rituals
We are creatures of habit and sometimes can be determined to stick to traditions even when they become burdensome. A typical example is the yearly visit to the theatre to see the Christmas pantomime. It’s a lovely concept, but the stress and anxiety of arranging it and getting everyone there can overshadow the spirit it’s meant to instil. If your family tradition fills you with dread, consider taking a break for something more relaxing this year. A movie day at home with burgers and popcorn is a guaranteed low-stress crowd-pleaser, and if you get a takeaway, it saves on the washing up too.
6. It’s OK to Say No!
Saying no is one of the hardest things for many of us in general, and this is especially true at Christmas. As people’s needs and emotions rise, we find ourselves agreeing to things that go against our best interests to meet other’s expectations or simply keep the peace. However, saying no is one of the most empowering and compassionate things we can do. It protects us from things that don’t serve us and ultimately leads to healthier relationships where both parties can communicate and know they’re being heard.
7. Maintain Self-care Routines
Even though the holiday season can be pretty chaotic, it’s essential to make sure you schedule time for yourself. Whether it’s morning meditation, quiet reading time in the evening, or going for a walk after dinner, it is important you allow time for your daily practices. Abandoning them to get more done is a fast track to burnout, and the resulting stress can hinder your productivity in the long run.
8. Take Social Media Breaks
One thing that becomes notably prevalent around Christmastime is the media onslaught of a picture-perfect Christmas. Images of beautiful trees, stunning decorations and perfectly wrapped presents are beamed at us from all angles, and one of the most affecting forms of this comes from our peers. Seeing our friends’ pictures can leave us with a sense of lack or even failure, especially when it looks like it’s come together with no effort at all, so stepping away from social media and refocusing on the moment can help you be present and really appreciate what’s around you.
9. Accept Other People’s Differences
No matter how much effort you put in, you simply can’t please everyone. Accepting this early on and agreeing to disagree is the surest way to avoid unnecessary confrontations. Everyone has different ideas on how people should behave or what to watch on TV, and that’s ok. Not taking these things personally and respecting other’s opinions will allow for a truly peaceful time with those we choose to be around.
10. Reward Yourself For a Job Well Done
When things get tough, it’s good to have something to look forward to. Rather than this simply being the promise of relief when Christmas is over, take the opportunity to pencil in some treats for yourself throughout your holiday schedule. You’re doing all you can to ensure everyone has a great time, so invest some of that consideration back into yourself as well.
Christmas really can be the most wonderful time of the year. It gives us the opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and focus our attention on the people we love.
However, this is only achievable if we remember it is a holiday, not a boot camp exercise for us to prove how great we are. Proper organisation and prioritising genuine downtime is vital to help avoid the pitfalls of a stress-filled Christmas and instead deliver the magical, peaceful break we all deserve.
