I know some of you love how busy the Christmas season can be but for those of us who do not, it can be stressful. I have been gathering what others think make Christmas stressful. Here are the top five stresses, the "10%'s" of Christmas and some "90%" ideas.
#1. The season never seems long enough.
Start it earlier. Because of my colourful childhood, I have many families to celebrate with. We decided that trying to cram it all into one weekend was too stressful. So now we start in November and spread the family visits over many weekends. Trust me that makes it feel longer! By mid-December the only Christmas left is Christmas morning when Santa arrives.
#2. There is too much to do.
Stop doing so much. Take a good look at your list of things to do and ask what you can eliminate or delegate. Consider buying your baking, giving gift cards and letting your children wrap the presents.
I love to observe shoppers close to Christmas. Didn't they know Christmas was coming? Early in November, I carve out a day. I grab a big green tea and I head to the store with my children's wish lists and I am done by the end of the day.
#3. It costs too much.
Stop spending so much. We only buy for the children in our immediate family. Set spending caps with your families and stick to them. My friends and I do not buy for each others' children. At the beginning of the year, start a Christmas budget, start saving a small amount each month. Teacher's gifts are small donations to charities. We like to teach our children to be grateful for what they have by being grateful for what we have.
#4. Family dynamics come into play.
Don't let them. I grew up and around five different families and all the excitement that comes with that. It was very interesting for me to watch how people would park their differences around the holidays. Husbands could pick up children from ex-wives and still come and have a drink with their children's new family.
Put your hand on the door knob of the house you are about to enter this season and choose to see the 90%s of the people on the other side. Before you enter breath deeply and choose love first. Change your family dynamics by changing you. Don't drag the past to every family gathering.
#5. It needs to be more meaningful.
Make it more meaningful. Traditions do that. Create more traditions. Here are some of ours. We celebrate LangMas on the first snow fall (order supper and a Christmas movie). The Christmas tree goes up on November 1st. We buy a new ornament each year that reflects our year. Celebrate your religious traditions. These will be what our children remember.
Growing up, my favourite tradition was the search for the perfect Charlie Brown Christmas tree with my dad. He and I would bring it home in his Volkswagen beetle with the top down and set it up in our tiny little house. Funny I don't remember a single present I ever received but I sure remember these special times with my dad.
Merry Christmas
