Gearing Up For The Holiday Season ~ How To Make It Stress-FREE!
Posted: Monday, November 15, 2010
by Camille Strate
JoyZAChoice
The TV ads are running, the stores are gearing up for Black Friday and the rest of us are wondering how in the world we got to November already. It does seem to sneak up on us, doesn't it? Well, in light of all this, I thought it'd be a good idea to revisit the topic of holiday stress...and see if we might all enjoy more and stress less. It's not as hard as you might think...if you take a moment to prepare.
So then, I'll get off my soapbox and move on...
I've learned that one of the best ways to avoid the stresses is to first get organized. Make those lists:
Gifts
Cards
Gatherings
Decorations
Etc., etc., etc.
Once the lists have been made, then it's merely a matter of baby steps. You don't have to get it all done in a day. Set time aside for each item and make it a party! Mentally prepare for whatever it is you're going to tackle. One of my favorite things to do when I'm going to go out into the wild jungle of shoppers is to don my Santa hat (or my reindeer antlers that light up. Yes. I actually do wear them. No kidding.) and have a small glass of wine with a little snack before I leave the house. I'm not talking about driving drunk! I'm talking about getting in the spirit of things. Once I've had my sip and snack, I grab my holiday music and fire up the ol' truck. I TOODLE. I do NOT rush. I take my time and sing and smile and put out that happy vibe, even to the grouchiest of shoppers. Fact is, they need it most. It's easy to be nice to nice people. Not so much when you run into Mrs. Cranky Pants. But she needs your smile, so give her a big one. Even if she doesn't respond, you'll never know how much you may have altered her attitude. Besides, what can it hurt?
As for the rest, I'm one of those freaks who actually shops for gifts all year long. By the time Christmas rolls around, I'm usually down to two or three gifts left. If push comes to shove and I can't find what I'm looking for in the brick-and-mortar stores, I get on the internet and finish up there. This is especially handy if you have gifts to buy for folks who live far away. Most sites will deliver to your destination for no extra charge and even gift wrap (usually for an additional charge). But it beats standing in line at the Post Office, you know?
If you're among those who wait til November to start (or December???), you'll be best served if you leave the overwhelm behind and approach your shopping from a more festive place. Make it fun. Lighten up. Don't be in such a hurry. Just take your time and remember to be grateful. If you're out there shopping, it means you have the funds to do it. Do you know how many folks don't? How horrible would that be? I know from personal experience that it's no fun at all. There was one year when I was so sans cash that I couldn't even buy a card. It was the worst holiday of my life. My family did their best to assure me that it didn't matter. I just couldn't get over myself. Horrible horrible horrible. I did, however, learn a very valuable lesson: it is just a moment. One moment in the vast expanse of a lifetime. And the moment will pass. I made it through that holiday and vowed never again. Somehow, some way I was going to manage my time and money better so I wouldn't have to experience that feeling of defeat. Yes, I know, Christmas is NOT about presents. But the child in me wasn't buying it. I survived and so did my ego. A strong lesson in humility, to be sure. But I digress...
As for parties and gatherings, here's something that has worked for me for many years: keep them small and don't try to be anyone you aren't. Like Martha Stewart. Or Oprah. Most of us do not have that kind of money nor do we have staff to handle the 'little stuff'. So why try to go there at all? Do the best you can with what you have. It doesn't have to be some fancy-schmancy gala. Simple foods with simple decor goes a long way. It's about the hospitality, not the glamour. I've had holiday parties where all I supplied were finger foods. Simple stuff like cheese platters and veggie platters and fruit bowls and cupcakes. A few bottles of wine from Trader Joe's and a bowl of egg nog...and asked each guest to bring a dish. No one was even slightly offended by this and everyone in attendance ate to their hearts' content. Good times for all, without spending a fortune. After all, it's about the people gathering together, not the menu.
Of course, before the gatherings you may have to clean the house. Again, it doesn't have to be white-glove clean. You're not performing surgery! And it's not likely anyone is going to inspect your floor boards. If they do, who cares? Let the snoops do their thing. Or don't invite the knuckleheads. Either way, it's got more to do with your comfort level about your own home, not anyone else's. I'm pretty sure they don't hand out trophies for the cleanest party house.
The short of all this is that it's your choice to either stress out or not. The holiday season is a time to gather round with those you love and enjoy the moments. It's a time for sharing the love and all the many blessings we have been bestowed. It's about celebrating whatever it is you believe in. It's supposed to be FUN!
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Very nice, Camille, and good advice. I can't say I really needed it. I'm one of those wierdos who ENJOYS Christmas. It's not about putting on a show, or getting EVERYTHING done, it's about really enjoying decorating, sitting quietly in a dark room with the Christmas tree all lit up, and having my son's favorite cookies baked. The only regret I've ever had about Christmas is that I don't have completely unlimited funds to go buy WHATEVER I wanted to for others without having to factor in the budget. :)
We have cancelled Christmas this year due to giving half of my IRA (well, almost) to the dentist for 2 crowns - I already had gifts for my one and only sister and that's it. I hear you!
I definitely buy the "less stress enjoy more" idea, Camille! That's the point of it all! Great article.
Hi! This is such a great article and I am sure a lot of money saving enthusiasts are going to benefit from this. Keep it up! I am Diana Mathew, an Australian Entrepreneur, ebook author (The Money Tree by Diana Mathew) and a Saving Money guru.
Camille, you are so very right and yet so many of us find it difficult to do this. I have found through the years that when I am not stressed, things go so much smoother. When I am pushing it, that's when everything seems to go wrong. I hope many people take your advice. It will be a happier holiday season for all if we do.
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