Beat The
Holiday
Blues
My darling husband and I don’t fight, except once a year… after the Christmas party for his family. Every year, I host my husband’s side of the family – all 65 people – for a home cooked turkey dinner, complete with all the trimmings. I also shop, select gifts and wrap one present for each person. It’s also my responsibility to decorate the house, including two Christmas trees, and setting up the display of lighted miniature houses that takes over two-thirds of our basement. The day before, I do a final cleaning. Thus, I am usually a tired, dragging, wreck before, during and after the 6-hour event.
Last year he was convinced that someone had replaced me with a merry maid. I was energized, fully productive, and flowed gracefully through the pre-party shopping, chopping, wrapping, decorating and cleaning without loosing a step. I got all 65 presents wrapped and under the ultra decorated tree with oodles of time to spare. The dinner turned out wonderful. My mother-in-law actually complimented me on the gravy! The entire party was a breeze and I know my guests enjoyed it too, as I heard compliments such as “you seem so relaxed.” And “you always make things look so easy.” Well, it was easy, as I was supercharged. And yes, my husband and I, for the first time in 14 years, didn’t have a stress-induced fight the day after the event.
Does thinking about the holidays inspire you to greatness or to the depths of despair? It can certainly be a busy, stressful, challenging time of the year, with expectations of your own, plus your family, colleagues and perhaps your church or religious institution.
Wouldn’t it feel good to reclaim the holidays as a peaceful, happy time and express joy, love, happiness towards yourself and others? With just a little organization, you can have a happy, stress-free holiday season. Treat yourself better during this busy time with the tips below.
Holiday
Treat #1: Do your own holiday tradition first. If it’s enjoying the chorale at the local college, going hunting for the perfect tree, or helping out at the local Toys For Tots donation site, do what makes you happy and what is your version of holiday cheer. Make doing your personal feel-good holiday tradition your number one priority. I always, always, make time for a live production of The Nutcracker. Once I’ve satisfied my personal holiday tradition, I easily turn my attention to my friends and family.
Holiday
Treat #2: Take a nap. Yes, take a 20 to 30 minute nap. You’ll wake up with new energy. I take a nap before dinner with friends, or the work holiday party, and find myself ready for the event. If you truly don’t have time for a nap, lay down and listen to Learning Strategies CD 10-Minute Supercharger, Energize your Body and Mind in Minutes. You will be revived, refreshed and have energy to spare.
Holiday
Treat #3: Start new customs and do the old, standard events in a new way. You can imagine that all the prep I do for the holiday family celebration is time consuming. This year, I’m trying something new. I’m only shopping and wrapping for gifts for the children under 18 years old. I asked all the adults if they want to participate in the gift exchange to bring a $20 gift card to their favorite place. We will toss them in a huge bowl and whoever brings one, can take one. No wrapping 65 presents – only about 10 for the kids. Not as much financial pressure on my husband and I, or on our guests. In addition, everyone will receive the gift of guilt free shopping to hit the holiday sales.
Holiday
Treat #4: Mange your finances. Really look at your budget. Are you spending more than you can afford? We were. Many of the family members I spoke with about the gift card exchange idea said it would help their budgets, too. You celebration doesn’t have to be a showcase event. You can find low budget ways to be together at the holidays. Just being together for our family that lives all across the globe, is a treat. Rent a holiday movie: “It’s A Wonderful Life” or “Scrooge” or “Elf”, make a huge batch of popcorn, relax, and enjoy time with your family and friends.
Holiday
Treat #5: Divide and conquer with shared labor. I took the bold and unprecedented (in my family) move of asking everyone to bring a side dish. Previously, my husband and I were responsible for the entire meal – now we just cook the turkey, make the mashed potatoes and provide beverages. Other folks bring the baked beans, sweet potatoes, cranberries, relishes, salads, and desserts. This is a time and stress saver for me, and allows our guests the opportunity to contribute.
Holiday
Treat #6: Relax, rejuvenate and pamper yourself. Whatever makes you feel infused with holiday spirit should be on your priority list. You’ve been good, you deserve it! Shut the bathroom door and enjoy a luxurious bubble bath with the suds your niece gave you last Christmas. Turn off the phone. You can always check for messages later, when you are refreshed. Learn to say “no”. Know what you can and want to do. Set limits. It’s OK to say, “we’d love to come to the get-together, but only for a few minutes.” And then leave. Be fearless about drawing the line in the snow, and saying, “no thank you” to more events, expectations and obligations.
Take time out from the hassles of the holiday, and create refreshing peace of mind by listening to the Learning Strategies CD Holiday Cheer. The holidays can be highly stress inducing, if you let them. By relaxing with Holiday Cheer for 17 minutes, you’ll feel love and joy towards yourself and the world around you every day, not just during the holiday season. The CD takes you on a journey of past happy holiday times, and allows you to create new positive feelings about holiday events to come. After listening you’ll be much happier about the holidays and at peace with yourself.
That’s how I manage the holidays. How I avoid the annual argument with my husband, keep feeling good, loving and peaceful. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are about? Peace, love and goodwill to all.
Resources:
Link to Learning Strategies:
Learning Strategies CD 10-Minute Supercharger, Energize your Body and Mind http://www.learningstrategies.com/Paraliminal/10Minute.asp?aff=1todda08
Learning Strategies CD Holiday Cheer
http://www.learningstrategies.com/Paraliminal/Holiday.asp?aff=1todda08
Alexis Todd motivates individuals to excellence and achievement. She inspires positive communications, integrity in sales organizations and builds sales teams to fuel innovation, change, and winning business results. You can reach Alexis at tigertoddtraining@comcast.net.