There is a lot of buzz and excitement, and possibly dread, in the air this coming holiday season but I hope everyone is keeping track of the real meaning of whatever holiday you are about to celebrate. I think it is safe to say that the joy of the holiday season comes from the time spent with friends and family and the opportunity to reflect on how blessed we are in our lives. If you are filling up with dread, stress and anxiety about what is coming along with those precious family and friend gatherings, then remember to just, “Keep it Simple!” Ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that could happen if I don’t…..” Now what is the one thing that fills you up with the most anxiety about the holiday season and see if you can make that your “don’t” this year. Just take it out of the equation and guess what you will discover? Life rolls on! Really.
Here is a list of potential stressors you could eliminate:
• Cooking every single person’s special request. Ask that person to be responsible for contributing that special item. Simply say, “Oh, that sounds delicious, is that the dish you would like to contribute for the dinner?”
• Cooking every single dish yourself. Ask for guests to bring specific items. Hint:pick the ones you don’t care to make!
• Ironing the tablecloth and napkins. Ask a family member to bring their set of linens to change it up.
• Buying gifts for everyone in the extended family. Put everyone’s name in a hat and draw names at Thanksgiving time. You could even put names in twice so everyone gets to buy two gifts for two different people. Every family is different so make it work for your situation.
• Staying in cramped quarters for overnight visits. Get a hotel room, everyone will be happier!
• Visiting your family! Take a family vacation and avoid the drama altogether.
• Over commitment to parties. Just say” NO”, or better yet, “I am so sorry, I have a conflict”
I am not suggesting you do a family vacation every year to avoid the family gathering but if it really stresses you out, take a break this one time and come back to it next year. The same holds for any other suggested stressors above or any not listed. Sometimes just taking a break from it can help you embrace it again in the future. Or, everyone may realize that it is no big deal after all to not have cinnamon buns served with a beautiful turkey dinner!
Tip: Once you have put out all of the decorations for the season, take a hard look at what you did not use this year and decide if those are items that should be donated onto another family who can use them. If some are decorations you thought you would eventually repair, how long have you been telling yourself that you were going to fix that item? If it has been more than one or two seasons, it probably is not going to happen, throw it out or Freecycle it if you think someone else would take the time to repair it for themselves. Remember, Keep It Simple!
Tip: Make a running list of everything you need to accomplish before a family gathering so you don’t forget to do it. Keeping it all in your head is a guarantee for more stress and something will most definitely be forgotten.
