Christmas and New Years often include added stressors. To be honest, not all people are happy during the holiday season. While most of us look forward to Christmas and the pretty lights and celebrations that come upon us, we also pile a whole lot of extra to-dos upon ourselves. That’s how stress gets the green light to ramp up its presence in our lives and rob us of our Christmas spirit.
No one wants to turn into Scrooge. That takes the merry out of Christmas. So why not plan to minimize holiday stress before it takes hold? Below are 5 simple ways to master anxiety and enjoy the holidays.
1. Christmas/holiday cards: How many? Consider the postage cost, too. Perhaps sending some via online methods will make card giving easier this year. If possible, have these mailed before December 10th.
2.Gift giving: Simplify with a list. Preset the amount of money to be spent. There won’t be a financial burden to resolve later. Remember those less fortunate. Buy and wrap gifts well before Christmas Eve.
3. Food preparation: Determine menu a couple weeks in advance. Buy ingredients, except for perishables, at this time. Make the cranberry sauce, and as many other family favorites that can be prepared advance, days ahead of the big feast.
4. Parties, invites, holiday programs: Plan well in advance when hosting. Create a realistic guest list. Delegate some of the preparations to others. Choose carefully when invitations come our way. Accept those that fit easily into the month’s schedule. Put family first. And we might have to politely RSVP with a “No” rather than try to do it all. Overloading the calendar means overloading personal energy levels, too, and robs us of special family times.
5. Where to spend Christmas: Once children grow up and have families of their own, the “where” of Christmas day can get trickier. Which set of parents/grandparents: Christmas Eve at one house and Christmas morning at the other? Stay home this year? Or not? Be gracious, but honest, with the plans we make. Everyone learns to give-and-take as the family grows bigger.
It’s so nice knowing we can keep the merry in the Christmas season by choosing to minimize stress. In so doing, peace is given ample space to reign in our hearts and homes. The true Light of Christmas, Jesus Christ, is what the season is really all about. Without His holy birth, there would be no Christmas celebration.
Matthew 2:11 NIV When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
