Tip #1 for Beating the Holiday Blues: Plan Ahead
This seems so basic it’s almost laughable, and yet lack of planning is probably one of the biggest factors that contribute to holiday stress. How many times have you found yourself waiting until the last possible minute to do your holiday gift shopping or holiday greeting card mailing? You scramble to find something, anything that can pass for a gift, or worse yet, you’ve waited to the last minute so you can take advantage of those big holiday sales and discounts only to find there’s little or no selection left! As time starts to run out your stress levels go through the roof and your heart isn’t in it at all – you’re just going through the motions so as not to disappoint your family and friends, especially those who do put some care and thought into this ritual.
Or if you’re like me, you’re so busy in the weeks leading up to the holidays that by the time you sit down to do your holiday greeting card mailing it’s already Christmas Eve! Yikes!
The more you plan in advance for the season and are prepared for unexpected contingencies the easier and less stressful it will be to deal with. This applies to everything from gift shopping, to entertaining, to holiday travel. Make your gift list early in the year and buy gifts as the year progresses and opportunities present themselves –this will help you avoid the last minute crunch, the crowds, and the hassle of going shopping while allowing you to remain aligned with your true intention in giving gifts. If you need some ideas for gifts you can plan in advance for check out my post Holiday Gift-Giving Guide: Practical Tips for Giving Meaningful Gifts you might find that giving some of these types of gifts is so easy and satisfying that planning ahead for them is a breeze! Also don’t be afraid to ask people what they would like or could really use rather than trying to second-guess or imagine what they might like.
Likewise, if you’re going to entertain, plan your menus and make your shopping lists as far in advance as you can, then start stocking up on supplies and dry goods at least a few weeks prior to your events. And allow plenty of time for any special items that require ordering in advance. This helps you avoid the crowds and last minute rushing around. And always have a Plan B just in case something unexpected comes up!
Another area that can generate a lot of stress during the holidays is travel. Unpredictable weather patterns typically result in a lot of re-arranged travel plans, long nights in airports, lost luggage or missed flights or prolonged exposure to others with colds or flu. If at all possible, plan your holiday trips so you arrive a few days before rather than right before the holidays when everyone else is traveling. And perhaps you should plan stay a little longer to minimize the likelihood of travel upsets that typically occur immediately before and after the holiday. Also consider traveling on holidays themselves (i.e. Christmas eve or day, New Year’s eve or day) as most people have already arrived at their destinations so it’s not as chaotic and you might even get a lower fare!
