Are you familiar with the Christmas truce of 1914? I wasn't until I read about it on the internet. It seems that Pope Benedict the XV wanted a temporary cease fire at Christmas but the generals on each side refused. When Christmas came around, the soldiers chose to lay down their weapons. Soldiers from each side exchanged gifts, shared food, and played football! What a sight that must have been!
Our holidays do not have to be stressful. We can let the potatoes be lumpy and the turkey a bit dry. It is the love of our family and friends that must be foremost on this holiday. Set aside your worries and family dramas and enjoy Christmas as it is meant to be.
These tried and true tips help me each year. I hope one or two of them will help you, too!
1. Plan Ahead! Read my post here about 21 things to do before December 1.
2. Shop Online! I loved having packages delivered to my home and avoiding the mall!
3. Stick to a budget. This is hard for me, but in February I am so grateful I did. Make a list, get creative but adhere to the limits you set for yourself.
4. Build in self care. Schedule your hair appts, massages, manis and pedis and any other self care that you need. Schedule it and then, follow your schedule.
5. Learn to breathe properly. This is a skill you need to learn. You will be surprised at the difference it will make.
6. Do less and enjoy more. Pick how busy you want to be. We schedule our events carefully and then purchase tickets to the ones we really want to do. I like to be more busy than my husband, so I schedule things to do with girlfriends and he relaxes the way he likes!
If you have another holiday destresser, share it with us in the comments! Can't wait to learn more!
I shop for Christmas all year long, so I don't have stress about that. I always finish shopping and wrapping by 11/20 so I can sit back and enjoy the season.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I don't really think I've ever been too stressed out during Christmas..I'm just always so glad to start decorating and shopping, that I just roll with it.
ReplyDeleteOddly I don't get stressed when shopping for my own child but when it comes to others in my family its the other way around. These tips come in handy.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the Christmas truce of 1914...so interesting. I do most of my Christmas shopping online now because it's so much faster and you don't have to deal with getting out in the cold (this girl loves summer).
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these great tips!
I always shop online when it comes to Christmas. If people planned ahead like you said and take your advice they wouldn't stress. Never wait till last minute during a busy holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI think I heard about the Christmas truce last year in another blog. Really an amazing story and a reminder that at the core, we're all just human. I'm not Christian so I tend to just witness the Christmas hysteria buzz around me. But I think with anything, it is the time you spend with people that make the real memories.
ReplyDeleteNumber 6 -- YES YES YES! I often find myself wondering if it's all worth it and more times than not, I know we can do without all the extras around the holidays. Sometimes less really is more.
ReplyDeleteI learned to stick to a budget after I had kids. With four, it can easily get out of hand. I think these are the perfect tips for a stress free Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThe holidays can most certainly bring on a lot of stress for many people with many different reasons. Especially for those of us who have lost loved ones/broken families. Holidays can be really depressing and quite stressful.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Thanks for sharing. I especially like #4. We're usually so busy doing for everyone else around the holidays that we neglect ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe holidays can be one of the most joyous yet wonderfully chaotic times! That is why it is crucial to take out time for ourselves.
ReplyDeletePlanning ahead for things is so important. I know that a lot of my stress comes from being unprepared.
ReplyDeleteWe're moving at the end of this month and I'm quite excited about decorating in a new home!
ReplyDeleteAaaah, nooo. In my head we are still soooo far away from Xmas. Ill save my Xmas mood for November and then follow all your tips :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the great tips! I start buying for Christmas in the summer. This helps keep my stress down.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe were getting this close to Christmas! It's always my favorite season of the year and now it's starting to rub off on my kids!
ReplyDeleteChristmas is my favorite time of year and I'm so excited you posted this!!!!!! I start my to-do list on October 1, but my secret sauce in all of my preparations is to have my card designed by the end of August.
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