Choose your target
We look forward to Christmas every year, but when the Holidays finally arrive, it’s not long before we start feeling overwhelmed by all the expectations and the pressure we put on ourselves to plan the perfect reception and as we see the mountain of tasks accumulating at the speed of lightning. But how can you enjoy Christmas without all the stress and not feel completely overworked after the festivities?
Don’t wait until the last minute
There’s nothing worse than having to go shopping at the last minute when the madness of Christmas shopping is at its peak. Start getting ready as soon as you can, plan your menu in advance and try to include some things you can prepare the day before or even weeks before your event. That way, you’ll be better equipped to deal with unexpected obstacles and you’ll feel more relaxed.
Avoid unrealistic expectations
You imagine the perfect Christmas dinner, guests amazed by your sumptuous menu and delighted by the mountain of presents under your magical Christmas tree. But you can’t find the gift your daughter asked for, you remember your uncle hates turkey and your tight budget just won’t allow for the new decorations you were hoping to get this year.
Be realistic with your expectations, learn to let go and avoid trying to be perfect as you’ll only end up disappointed when things don’t go the way you dreamed they would.
Delegate
There is no reason why you should have to handle everything just because you decided to host the big annual Christmas dinner. Your family and friends will be more than happy to help you plan if you ask them and you can delegate some tasks so you don’t find yourself at the end of the rope. This will also allow you to save a little because you can ask your guests to bring appetizers, drinks or desserts.
Learn to say no!
People can’t know that what they ask of you doesn’t fit with your budget or your bursting schedule if you don’t tell them honestly. Set clear limits and learn to say no when necessary. Don’t feel guilty, because if you take on too much, you just wouldn’t be able to achieve everything. It’s better to be honest from the get go and respect your limits.
The presents
We all have this imaginary pressure that pushes us to overspend at Christmas. It’s like the magic grabs us and makes us forget that we have a budget, which is very real and can’t just magically expand. But nobody really expects us to be in debt for six months just to give them nice gifts.
Go at your own pace and only buy things you know you can afford. You can always add some homemade presents, which people love receiving and ads a really personal touch. If you have a large family, you might decide to try a gift exchange for the adults or even decide to only give presents to the kids this year.
Take a break
Your preparations are going well and you don’t have a minute to yourself. Never mind that, you should still add moments of well-deserved rest periods in your schedule and make sure you respect them. Your body and mind will be very grateful if you reward yourself for all your hard work and you’ll be more relaxed when you have your family and friends over.
The big night
The big night is here and all the hard work is finally behind you. Our only advice? Forget all the worries you had and concentrate of the present you’ve dreamed of for so long. Remember what the Holidays mean to you and enjoy those magical moments in the company of the ones you love.
Happy Holidays!
