Reducing Holiday Stress

[lovetoscrap]

I have read several posts of people that are feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the holidays already. I personally have cut out a lot of the things that realy cause stress and take away from the holiday.

I stopped sending Christmas Cards several years ago. Some people get an email, some get a call and most we see and talk to enough that they know how things are going. I see no need to stay in touch with someone once a year with just a signed card. If I really wanted to be in touch with them I would do it all year long.


I don't bake cookies any more. My kids love the Pillsbury ones just as much and it is way less mess. I used to do 6 different kinds and all that but it is just too much. If we want to decorate them I buy the premade icing colors and sugar cookies and tell them to go to town! DH won't eat cookies, I sure don't need them and I don't think my neighbors really want them either.


I have seriously streamlined my decorating. I love to have the whole house decorated, garland and bows on every door, Christmas village arranged just so, lights, yard ornaments etc... But I just don't have the time or desire to get it all out and even worse, put it all away. We have the tree, wreath, stockings and nativity and a festive table cloth.

Sure, I still have stress over all the places we need to be, the holiday school events, buying and wraping presents, holiday travel, cleaning for holiday visits etc, but I have eliminated some of the major ones and it has really helped.

What have you done in the last few years to help minimize your stress?

 

[Nancy]

I have read several posts of people that are feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the holidays already. I personally have cut out a lot of the things that realy cause stress and take away from the holiday.

I stopped sending Christmas Cards several years ago. Some people get an email, some get a call and most we see and talk to enough that they know how things are going. I see no need to stay in touch with someone once a year with just a signed card. If I really wanted to be in touch with them I would do it all year long.

I still send cards but not as much as I used to and some years they never got done. My friends I would e-mail with a "sorry no cards this year". They all know how busy I can be sometimes. I like to do cards though so it is not a mahjor stress event for me.

I don't bake cookies any more. My kids love the Pillsbury ones just as much and it is way less mess. I used to do 6 different kinds and all that but it is just too much. If we want to decorate them I buy the premade icing colors and sugar cookies and tell them to go to town! DH won't eat cookies, I sure don't need them and I don't think my neighbors really want them either.

I gave up baking the 50 million cookies. Now I make a couple of them and do the slie and bake. Guess what, the slice and bake sugar cookies tast just as good frosted cut outs. And we really don't need all the cookies in the house either. One year I actually bought cookies that a friend of mine was making, she's a great baker and the cookies were yummy (but expensive)


I have seriously streamlined my decorating. I love to have the whole house decorated, garland and bows on every door, Christmas village arranged just so, lights, yard ornaments etc... But I just don't have the time or desire to get it all out and even worse, put it all away. We have the tree, wreath, stockings and nativity and a festive table cloth.

I have done major stream lined decorating. My village doesn't come out of the boxes and I don't put up half my decorations anymore. Outside is still done up but has beome a bit less over the years, as things break they are not being replaced

Sure, I still have stress over all the places we need to be, the holiday school events, buying and wraping presents, holiday travel, cleaning for holiday visits etc, but I have eliminated some of the major ones and it has really helped.

Luckily I don't have lots of places to be anymore and with the kids getting way older the shopping becomes easier and easier. Gift cards for the majority of the family members now. Not as much thought behind but appreciated by everyone. My BIL and his wife love the Jet Blue gift cards I give them every year and they think of us while sunning on the beah in the middle of winter.

What have you done in the last few years to help minimize your stress?

My responses in blue in your quote. The biggest thing for me is other than the shopping I figure is something isn't done no one knows it but me and I'm not going to let it bother me.

 

[NMAmy]

My dd is older so it's gotten easier. My mom has started going to California just before Christmas and stays for a couple of months to get out of the cold weather. We make a trip a few days after Christmas to celebrate with my other sister's family (who are 1.5 hours away) which lets her grown kids and grandkids spend the actual holiday with all their in-laws.

I don't send out as many Christmas cards as I used to and they're usually late. We've had so much snow lately that I've done the majority of my shopping online instead of trekking to the mall. I love having the gifts delivered to my door! At work, we're donating to charity instead of exchanging gifts. I did decorate more this year since my shopping has been so easy.

I've never been one to insist on the mythical perfect Christmas. Good enough is just fine for us. Christmas Day is always just dd, dh and I. We sleep late, open presents, have a nice breakfast and take in a movie. It's very relaxing and a lot of fun.

 

[The Mayor]

I just drink for the whole month of December and the stress level drops dramatically

 

[EthansMom]

I try to have most of my Christmas shopping done before the month of December. My goal is to NOT have to go in a mall during December. My stress has been greatly reduced by not having to think of last minute gift ideas, fight for a parking space and put up with cranky shoppers and retail workers.

I've decreased my Christmas card list over the years, but think I'll be shrinking the recipient list even further. Also, instead of a card with a newsy letter, I'm just going to send out the letter.

I also made a list this year of the holiday foods I REALLY want to make and bought and stocked up on the non-perishable foods ahead of time.

I do make Christmas cut-outs but those are the only cookies I make at the holidays. I've learned to keep a Costco box of brownie mix on hand in case I get asked to bring a treat to anything in Dec. in case I don't have the time/energy to do something more elaborate.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

DH and I are not traveling out-of-town for Christmas. This is a huge relief. The holiday traffic on the interstate is so stressful.

I still go all-out decorating the house but my definition of all-out is probably different from most people's. I started and finished my decorating the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

DH and I give each other WDW annual passes every Christmas so gift-giving is easy.

 

[hiwaygal]

I just drink for the whole month of December and the stress level drops dramatically

I want some of what you are having!

 

[Buckalew11]

I have done the same exact things as you have, lovetoscrap! It has really helped me.

 

[C.Ann]

I don't bake hundreds of cookies anymore..

I don't bake 30 different kinds of breads..

I send out very few Christmas cards..

I no longer exchange gifts with numerous people..

Now that I'm not in my own home anymore, there's no longer the huge party we always hosted on Christmas Eve..

This year I still feel overwhelmed though.. I just don't have the energy to get out of my own way and aside from doctor appointments and medical tests, I'm pretty much "trapped" inside the house.. All I want for Christmas is to feel "good" again.. Heck - I'd even settle for "okay"..

 

[Loverly]

Love these stress relievers!

No more Christmas card sending here either.

No more cookie baking-diet is my excuse

Kids are grown-no more mega gift shopping-each gets a sweater and a very nice Check$$

No more gift exchanges with cousins, neices, nephews etc........our annual get togethers is how we celebrate the Holidays -lots less stress for everyone


I buy as much prepared food (Like A honey Ham, or side dishes from the gourmet grocery, etc for Holiday family meals) as possible. This is a busy time for me at work and I simply dont have time

 

[kirbydog48]

My family has really curtailed the gift giving. We really just make it about the kids. My parents are both gone, and my sisters and I have for years had a no gifts policy. It just gets crazy and we already all have so much stuff. Dh and I sometimes give gifts, sometimes not; just depends how we feel that year. I still give to teachers, etc. I would much rather spend some special time with someone. I also love to give a good donation to a few organizations that help the needy.

 

[tevagirl]

Xanax is a wonderful stress reliever.

 

[rentayenta]

I just drink for the whole month of December and the stress level drops dramatically

I have also cut down and holiday "musts". Cards are a thing of my past. I just don't have the time. I KIT through email, the phone, and Facebook.

I do all my baking on one weekend. Period.

Shopping early seriously helps me be less stressed and as of today I am officially finished for everyone! And I have have lots of it wrapped.

Instead of passing $25 gifts back and forth with our friends, we all go to dinner or have dinner and games with the families at one of our homes. Everyone brings a dish and some booze.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I just drink for the whole month of December and the stress level drops dramatically

Xanax is a wonderful stress reliever.

Everyone brings a dish and some booze.

See! I knew I would get some more great ideas from the DIS!

 

[tevagirl]

See! I knew I would get some more great ideas from the DIS!

We are very wise.

 

[GeorgeG]

I just drink for the whole month of December and the stress level drops dramatically

Now there's a remedy I think is worth trying! A Bass Ale at Rose and Crown, a Beck's at Germany and continue the cycle around World Showcase (I prfer counter-clockwise with a big pretzel at Germany every other lap.

I found the stress level went down dramatically when we moved to Florida. Although, my wife is still getting dragged into the family chaos up in New York via phone calls and e-mail. I think she need to drink more.

 

[The Mayor]

Now there's a remedy I think is worth trying! A Bass Ale at Rose and Crown, a Beck's at Germany and continue the cycle around World Showcase (I prfer counter-clockwise with a big pretzel at Germany every other lap.

I found the stress level went down dramatically when we moved to Florida. Although, my wife is still getting dragged into the family chaos up in New York via phone calls and e-mail. I think she need to drink more.

...although i prefer to end my beers around the worl at the R&C...it used to be witha Tennants Lager but they don't carry it anymore

 

[The Mayor]

I want some of what you are having!

See my sig below

 

[Mysteria]

I've never felt huge stress over the Christmas season. I've felt much sadness because I can't be where I want to be. Uber stress though, no. It's a wonderful heartfelt time for me no matter where I am. It's really a time when I look at what I have in a positive light.

I'll still send Christmas cards. I can't afford or do much for my friends but it's my way of saying hi and I'm thinking about you.