The holiday season brings fun, food, and family.
From Thanksgiving through the New Year, our calendars are full.
Many look forward to the season and dread it at the same time.
We are excited to spend time with those we love.
The shift in routine.
Possibly off from work.
Yet, the list of things to do can feel overwhelming.
Especially this year with one less week in the Thanksgiving to New Year window.
So, here are 5 “tools” to consider this holiday season.
5 Tools for the Holidays
Make Plans Visible: Print a calendar for the month of December. Put this where everyone can see the events happening each week. This makes sure no one (including you) gets caught off guard by an event that has slipped your mind. For those with kids in the home, make sure their school holiday events are on the calendar too.
Consider the Traditions: When it comes to holiday traditions, we tend to add more as the years go along vs. pulling back and removing traditions. There is no rule book that says what the “right” holiday traditions are. Maybe one that served you well 10 years ago has run its course. It’s OK to skip it this year…and all future years. Tied to this tip, we shouldn’t be stuck on striving for “perfect”. No one else is looking as closely at the actions you take as you – do what feels right this year.
Structure in Downtime: Once the calendar is visible, try to block in some time for rest. If there are 2-3 busy days in a row, see if you can proactively plan a day or two without activities. School and work may still be in the mix, but you can take an evening for everyone to catch their breath. As you get further into the season and time off school and work, can you block 2-3 days that are completely clear to allow everyone to spend time doing the activities they love.
Start Early & Keep Momentum: We often have a surge of holiday planning momentum around Thanksgiving. Decorating, participating in sales for holiday gifts, and generally getting “in the holiday spirt”. However, that early momentum can sometimes wane and have us scrambling to get things done right before a party or event occurs. By keeping the early momentum, we can pace ourselves and, hopefully, avoid the scramble.
Focus on Being, Not Doing: This last one could be more of a mantra. Be don’t do. Be present. Spend time with family and friends. Don’t get so caught up in your to-do list. The purpose of the bustle of the season is to spend time with people. Enjoy it!
Your Turn
Do you feel a higher level of stress during the holiday season?
What techniques have you tried to make the time more relaxed and enjoyable?
Which of these tips make sense for you to try this year?