Christmas is a celebration of love that everyone wants to spend in harmony with their loved ones and family. Ideally, it would go that way, but as we know, nothing in life is perfect. A great many face the fact that instead of cheerful baking and singing Christmas carols, December is filled with nervousness and stress.
I’ve put together 6 tips that can help you make your Christmas stress-free this year!
1. Determine your festive budget
The stress that builds up by the end of the year can only be exacerbated by the pressure that spending Christmas spends on the lives of many. However, December does not have to be about overspending. Think about how much you can manage in November and December: prioritize your mandatory and urgent expenses, think about your savings, and then determine how much you can spend on Christmas dinner, decorations, and gifts. The world doesn’t collapse even if you only buy smaller gifts this year, serve simpler dishes, and use last year’s decor - the essence of the holiday lies in something completely different. By planning ahead, you can easily avoid waiting for the new year with your bank account balance, which dropped at the end of December, counting your last forints.
2. Make a to-do list
Research shows that in addition to spending, lack of time is what causes the most stress as Christmas approaches. Shopping, decorating, packing, cooking, baking should be squeezed into the crowded routine, and we could even list the millions of little things to do to organize a festive gathering. Think about what to do around Christmas weeks in advance. Do what you can, such as buying gifts, decorations, long-term food, in advance so you don’t leave everything to the last days. If you have the opportunity, talk to your friends or family and discuss how you can help each other. For example, you can undertake to order selected books for the whole family from an online store, and in return you can give someone an Advent wreath to purchase.
3. Start preparing on time
I have already mentioned the importance of timing in the previous point, but this topic also deserves a separate paragraph. Of course, Christmas will be full of nervousness and frenzy if you want to solve everything in 3 days. Find a gift idea for your couple , friends and family online. Start writing your gift list weeks in advance, as well as your dinner menu ideas and ingredients. Keep your to-do list up to date as soon as something comes to mind so nothing is left out. Having a clear understanding of your pre-holiday responsibilities can go a long way in helping you plan the right schedule to do them, and don’t feel like there’s a lot to do beyond you - which would cause significant stress in most of our lives.
4. Don’t have unrealistic expectations
A happy, calm, and balanced family sitting around a large dining table may appear in every American family movie, but in reality it’s not that common. Nothing is perfect in real life, so the Christmas dinner may burn out, the festive lunch may not be prepared in time, the Christmas tree may not be symmetrical, but it may even happen that the children do not get the secretly hoped-for toys and drown in huge hysteria. unwrapping gifts. These moments are inherent in real everyday life and in the average family, so there’s no reason to be frustrated if something similar happens to you this year. Just accept the reality, try to let go of the stress, and enjoy the time you spend with your loved ones - as much as you can.
5. Avoid overeating
Festive roasts and desserts are very delicious, which is why it’s easy to give in to temptation. However, it is not mandatory to double or triple the number of meals otherwise consumed. Excessive calorie intake can also cause fatigue and lethargy, not to mention the extra pounds that may climb. It is not recommended for anyone to schedule their diet at this time, but it is worth paying attention to what and when you eat. Taste all the cakes of the relatives, but ask for smaller slices. Feel free to eat lunch from Grandma’s most delicious stew, but in return, choose something lighter, less calorie-rich for dinner. Notice that you will feel much better if you pay attention to quality food and balance during these few days as well.
6. Listen to the movement
Having already mentioned balance, we also need to talk about movement. Of course, Christmas is all about spending time together, relaxing and recharging, but exercise can also be a part of that. A walk in the snow, ice skating on the ice rink or a city jog decorated with Christmas lights are also perfect for Christmas programs. And exercise has been shown to help reduce stress and tension, divert your thoughts, and make you sleep even better after a more strenuous exercise.
Our Christmas is never stressful.We hardly wait that Christmas will come,that Jesus Christ will be born.For us this part of year is the most beautiful.Merry Christmas!