Ways to Simplify the Holidays

The holiday season can certainly be hectic and stressful. Keeping it simple can help you reduce the stress and the chaos. Here are a few ways you can simplify and enjoy things a little more.

Keep Gift Giving Simple

Too often we get caught up in saving money for gifts and shopping for gifts and buying gifts and hiding gifts and wrapping gifts and then giving gifts. Whew! That’s an awful lot of emphasis on gifts when the holidays are really about sharing and caring and family. Don’t make the gifts the central part of your celebrations. Cut back on the gifts and the stress that is attached. Choose creative gifts that will mean something (homemade items, donations in the recipient’s name) instead of gifts that are just something to wrap up and give. {Check out our DIY Holiday Gift Ideas.}

Determine a Budget and Stick With It

Decide upon your holiday budget ahead of time then stick with it. Figure out how much money you want to spend on everything holiday related (travel, gifts, food, etc.) then stick to the budget. A large part of the stress that comes from the holidays is related to finances, so skip that stress by creating and sticking to a budget.

Start Early

Start early with your holiday planning. Don’t wait until the last minute and create more stress for yourself.

Don’t Pack in Too Many Activities

During the holiday season it’s easy to pack our calendars full of activities. Whether it’s a Christmas play at church (and the necessary practices) or holiday parties and get-togethers and other special events, it’s too easy to become overwhelmed by activities. Participating in too many means you won’t get (or give) much to any of them. Instead, cherry pick a few choice activities to focus on and enjoy.

Set Aside Some Down Time

When you are updating your calendar of holiday activities, be sure to set aside down time for the whole family. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a play date somewhere, a game night at home or maybe a relaxing hot bath for you. Down time means time in which nothing strenuous is planned and you can just enjoy time by yourself or with your family doing a whole lot of nothing.

It’s Okay to Say ‘No’

Just because you are asked to do something or go somewhere doesn’t mean you have to say yes. Learn the fine art of saying no now and then. Simplifying your life includes not taking on tasks, responsibilities or schedules that overwhelm your life or your sanity. Keep it simple — say no.

Keeping your holidays simple is easy enough. It simply takes the desire and discipline to make it happen. Whether it’s cutting back on activities or gift giving or simply planning time to regroup, refresh, and rest, simplifying your holiday is a task worth pursuing and completing.

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