Many people give in to bad habits and stress over the holidays. Here are a few tips to make the holiday season more enjoyable and less guilt inducing.
We make the same promises every year: we won’t put off our holiday shopping until the last minute, we won’t let ourselves get stressed, we won’t go overboard on the sweets…but every time, January finds us exhausted and a tad heavier. What can we do to make the holidays more relaxing and enjoyable—and reduce the need for a million New Year’s resolutions when it’s all over? Here are a few suggestions.
Get organized
Scrambling to get things done at the last minute is stressful, so plan ahead and get yourself organized. Make a schedule of holiday events, and note any gifts, food, toy drive donations, etc., that you’ll be expected to take. Make gift lists and holiday card lists, and buy cards and wrapping supplies in advance. Also keep a few hostess gifts on hand, so you’re prepared for unexpected invitations.
Reassess your gift-giving habits
If giving gifts brings you more anxiety than joy, maybe it’s time to make a few changes. Do you need to make a more realistic budget or stick to it more faithfully? Do you need to trim your gift-giving list to eliminate friends you exchange gifts…
