10 Tips for a Happy, Stress-Free Christmas

The Christmas season is always a hectic period, involving tasks like decorating, shopping, baking, and more. Family calendars are filled during the holidays, and work, school, and even church activities all demand time and effort. With all that’s going on, it’s easy to get stressed out—something that can really put a downer on your holiday cheer.



The secret to alleviating stress during this Christmas season is proper time management; in this case, a little advanced planning goes a very long way.

1. WORK SMART.
We are all guilty of putting things off every once in a while. The problem with procrastination is that, once deadlines start to loom (and you normally see more of these toward the end of the year than during any other season), we go crazy rushing to meet them. Always anticipate a heavy workload in the weeks leading up to the holiday break. Get as much as you can done before the holiday season bursts into full hectic mode to minimize the things on your to-do list.


2. SHOP SMART.
People in the United States and other countries make use of their safe and reliable online shopping system to avoid having to battle the crowds to shop for their Christmas presents.

3. WHEN IN DOUBT, GO FOR GIFT BASKETS.
No matter how properly organized your Christmas shopping list this year, there will always be those present puzzlers. They are the people who just leave you stumped as to what to get them. Whether it is a neighbor, a coworker, or a relative you just do not know well enough, a basket of wine, cheese, crackers, chocolates, candy, fruit, and other holiday goodies is the safest way to go.


4. DELEGATE.
If you are planning on hosting a holiday gathering, be sure to delegate to avoid having to spend more time in the kitchen and less time with your guests. Remember: nobody likes an absentee hostess, and, frankly, even if you have to pay to get helping hands who will ensure that you don’t spend your time running yourself ragged, you’ll find it’s money well spent.


5. PRACTICE RESPONSIBLE REVELRY.
'Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry. But be responsible and keep drinking habits in check. The key is knowing how much you can handle and, of course, remembering that you should never drink and drive! Besides which, you should pay mind to your schedule—if you’re meeting your friends for cocktails on a weeknight, try not to overindulge; if you go to work late and hung over the next day, this will just set you back and add to your stress levels once the haze from the booze has lifted.


6. STAY HAPPILY HEALTHY FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
All the madness and mayhem that comes with the Christmas season can make it easy for us to be thrown off our daily routines. Be sure to eat and sleep well, and try to squeeze some workout time into your busy schedule.


7. FOCUS ON FAMILY.
Spending time with family is always a good thing, but, for some people, it can be a cause for anxiety. Be prepared to dodge (and have some witty, inoffensive comebacks for) those criticisms and awkward questions that can come with annual family gatherings.


8. SET YOUR SCHEDULE AHEAD OF TIME.
Deciding where to spend the holidays can put a lot of pressure on a family. To avoid conflicts and, more importantly, hurting the feelings of those you love, discuss your plans with your partner, your parents, and your in-laws ahead of time. Welcome compromise by alternating sides of the family. For instance, you may spend Christmas Eve at your parents' house and then Christmas Day at your in-laws'. When offering holiday greetings to relatives abroad, preset your Skype or phone call schedules so you’re sure to catch them at home (and awake).


9. BRACE YOURSELF FOR TRAVEL TROUBLE.
Travel hiccups are very common around this time of year. Have realistic expectations—heavy traffic, congested airports, overbooked flights, and such. Be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to deal with whatever you may encounter.


10. JUST RELAX.
If it starts to feel like all the holiday activities and engagements are too much for you to bear, step back and take the time to breathe and relax. Shut your eyes and meditate, or even take a nap. Remind yourself that this season is really all about giving and spending time with loved ones, and take a moment to remember how occasions like this have been filled with warmth and caring because, in the end, the best Christmas gift you can receive is the presence of friends and family.