The twinkling lights are up, the halls are decked, and the seasonal music is playing – it’s the holiday season! As much as I love this magical time of year, I also know it can be incredibly stressful and chaotic. Between shopping, parties, baking, cleaning, decorating and everything else on your holiday to-do list, things can quickly feel overwhelming.
As a professional organizer and simplicity expert, I want to offer some advice to help you find more ease, joy and focus this season. I’m not here to tell you to give up your favorite traditions or activities. Rather, I want to share some strategies to help you thoughtfully approach the holidays so you have the bandwidth to fully enjoy special moments with your family, friends, and loved ones.
Here are my top 7 tips for slowing down and simplifying the most wonderful (but often stressful) time of year:
1. Pare down traditions and events
The holiday season has a way of cramming our calendars full of back-to-back activities. Before you accept a flurry of invitations or plan an exhaustive list of things to do, pause.
Carefully evaluate if each event or tradition still brings you joy and purpose. Consider modifying or replacing outdated traditions with new ones better aligned to this season of life. Be choosy about what you say “yes” to.
Protect spaces of calm amid the hustle and bustle by not overscheduling yourself.
2. Set a reasonable holiday budget
The pressure to buy impressive gifts can quickly send holiday spending into overdrive. Combat overspending by deciding on a reasonable holiday budget ahead of time based on your financial situation. Make a prioritized gift list, assigning a spending cap for each recipient. Leverage online tools to track purchases against your defined budget categories.
Getting clear on what you can realistically spend will help lift financial stress.
3. Embrace simplicity with decor
While holiday decorations can make your home merry and bright, extensive decor can also take a lot of time, money and effort. This year, keep it simple. Use what you already have or make DIY decorations from natural elements like pinecones, cinnamon sticks and cranberries. Skip themes and trends, instead opting for classic, neutral decor that can carry over from year to year. Less extensive decor means less clean-up too!
4. Shop early and online
Skipping stressful trips to the jam-packed mall is better for your sanity and schedule. Shop early, well in advance of holiday gatherings and shipping cutoffs. Scoop up deals around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Buy online to avoid crowds, conserve energy and quickly compare options. Leverage free shipping and in-store pickup options when possible. Spread out shopping over several weeks instead of cramming it all in at the last minute.
5. Cook, clean and prep ahead
Hosting holiday parties or family gatherings? You’ll enjoy them a lot more if you’re not running around like a chicken with its head cut off (so sorry lil chicken). Do some cooking and baking in advance if you can, making extra portions to freeze. Clean your home thoroughly a week or so before guests arrive so you don’t add cleaning to an already long to-do list at the last minute. Write shopping lists and purchase non-perishables you’ll need ahead of time too.
A little extra planning goes a long way toward keeping stress manageable.
6. Practice self-care
With so much hustle and bustle, don’t let your health and wellbeing fall by the wayside. Carve out small pockets of me-time for relaxing bubble baths, cozy reading sessions or calming yoga flows. Say no to the occasional party so you can simply relax at home. Drink plenty of water, move your body daily, turn off devices an hour before bed and stick to your normal sleep schedule as much as possible.
Protecting your health helps you better manage demands.
7. Focus on connection
Yes the food, decorations and gifts are nice but they aren’t the heart of the season. Place special emphasis on spending meaningful time with loved ones, whether in person or virtually. Share memories over hot cocoa. Play board games. Ask thoughtful questions that go beyond surface level small talk. Disconnect from devices and be fully present.
Cherish each moment together. After all, these shared connections are the greatest gift.
The holiday season offers much beauty and joy but also many demands on our time, energy and resources. By thoughtfully assessing commitments, setting boundaries, planning ahead, staying organized and focusing on self-care and connections, you can find focus and simplicity amid the hustle and bustle. My hope is you’ll end this holiday season feeling relaxed, recharged and connected – not overwhelmed and exhausted.
Wishing you warmth, joy and harmony as you celebrate the season in meaningful ways that nourish your spirit! Now, what tips do you have for staying balanced and minimizing stress this time of year? I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice in the comments!
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