I absolutely love the holiday season, but this year it is already feeling a bit overwhelming. All of the pressure to have the decorations, traditions, activates, gift giving, baking, cooking, hosting, you name it. Then add in the normal life stuff on top of all that extra holiday “joy” and it can start to feel like the most frazzled elf on the block. So after some personal reflection and a little help from the world wide web, here are 5 things I’m trying this year to help me combat the holiday overwhelm early and be more present for all the holiday fun…
- Set a Holiday Intention List with a ‘Non-Goal’ Twist – Before diving into the holiday hustle, make a list of things you truly want to do this season—like baking cookies with family or seeing holiday lights—and, just as importantly, note a few things you’ll let go of, like making every single holiday cookie recipe or achieving a ‘perfect’ holiday decor look. This will help you focus on what brings joy and create space for the things that matter most.
- Host a ‘Holiday Prep Party’ with Friends – Try something different and turn holiday prep into a fun afternoon with friends to tackle wrapping gifts, writing cards, or baking together. You’ll get your to-do’s done while enjoying quality time with friends. Don’t go crazy with the prep for the prep party either, Gather simple fare, like cheese and crackers and some apples, or ask friends to bring one easy comfort nibble. That and a couple of bottles of wine and you are good to go! Who knows you might even learn a new way to tie a bow!
- Try ‘Unplugged Holiday time’ – Take a few hours away from screens and spend the time reading, doing a puzzle, making a craft, or simply relaxing by a fire. Yes, really do put that phone away! There is so much to be said for unplugging! It can really help bring a sense of calm and allow you to be fully present in the moment. Also if you aren’t staring at all those posts on Instagram then you won’t feel quite so panicked to keep up with everybody else’s (rather unattainable) perfect holiday vision.
- Create a ‘Holiday cozy time Kit’ – Gather a few comforting items like a soft blanket, a favorite candle, calming lotion, a good book, or your Journal. Stash them in an easy to access area and when holiday stress peaks, take a quick break with these items to pause, calm, and center yourself. You can even work it into a cozy little night time wind down routine. Make a cup of tea or coco, settle into your cozy blanket and journal your 3 favorite moments from the day and 1 thing you want to feel for the following day.
- Shop Small – The holidays can feel like a marathon of spending, from the food, to the decorations, gifts, and beyond, sometimes just the stress of spending all that money at once is enough to drive anyone a little nutty. So rather than shopping big this year consider shopping small (I don’t necessarily mean small businesses but that is a lovely way to go) This is really more of an exercise in quality over quantity, and that doesn’t always mean expensive. It is so hard to be thoughtful when you are stressed out and trying to put on the most perfect Pinterest ready holiday season. It’s ok to step back, to do less, to give less, and to actually enjoy the holiday season!
I genuinely hope these ideas help bring you some peace, and honestly I hope that for myself too! Life has definitely been moving fast lately, and maybe, just maybe, this is the perfect time to embrace a slower pace and fully savor each moment. Here’s to a holiday season filled with intention, joy, and the space to be present with those who matter most. Here is a cute sugar cookie moment from last year! (if i look a little overwhelmed its probably because i was 😛 lets try for better this year!)
