Like the song says, “I’ts the most wonderful time of the year.” I is also the most hectic and stressful time of year too. There is so much to do and seemingly no time to get it all done. Factor in long lines at stores, bickering family members, stressing out finding the perfect gift, hosting parties, attending parties, the weather… it’s crazy! Yet despite it all, it’s still a wonderful time.
It’s essential that you keep the holiday season “in check.” It can all easily get away from you and you find yourself overwhelmed and unable to enjoy a moment of the season.
Here are my five tips for how to “Get More Out” of life this time of year.
Make a “Game Plan”
It doesn’t matter if you come up with your “game plan” for the whole holiday season, or make one up weekly or daily. How ever you choose to do it, write down a list of everything you need to do and places you need to be and stick to it. This can help ensure that you can get everything done that you need/want to get done and not have to fret over missing something.
For example, if your child has a holiday party you are helping out with, and the school is close by a store you want to shop at, plan on stopping by the store before or after the holiday party. Or if you need to stop by the post office to buy more stamps, make sure you have all the packages ready you need to mail out so that you can accomplish both at the time time.
Be realistic about the holiday season
I know that sounds odd, but some people do have unrealistic ideas about the holiday season. We’re all only human. Things happen. Life happens. Be prepared for it. So what if you hosted your first Thanksgiving dinner and the turkey was too dry. Or you accidentally purchased the same sweater for your uncle that your sister bought him last year. It’s all going to be OK. Take it all in stride. Besides, many of these unexpected situations end up making great stories.
I’ll give you a great example. My mom prided herself on having all the holiday gift shopping done long before Thanksgiving. She would purchase gifts all year long and hide them in her bedroom or the attic.
One year my mom gave me a gift she gave me the year before (the SAME gift – not a duplicate). She had purchased beautiful Spode Christmas Tree dishes for me. Since I was 16 at the time, I didn’t have a need for them, so we put them in the attic for when I moved out. The following year my mom found the dishes in the attic and thought she had purchased them that year (not remembering she gave them to me the previous Christmas). Imagine my surprise when I opened up the same set of dishes that Christmas. LOL!
The holidays are going to have “imperfect” moments. The key is not to stress over them or let them ruin the holidays for you.
Give the gift of time
People are under the misconception that you MUST give someone a gift they can unwrap on Christmas morning. Sure, it’s fun to have something to unwrap, but that doesn’t mean that other types of gifts won’t be just as fun – if not more.
Instead of knocking yourself out looking for the perfect tangible gift for someone to open on Christmas morning, why not give someone the gift of your time instead?
Some examples would be taking a friend out to dinner and a movie – your treat? Or taking your daughter out on a mom & me “spa date.” Maybe you can offer to teach someone how to do something that you do well, like crochet, sew or quilt?
One year my brother and sister in law gave us home made “coupons” good for FREE babysitting whenever we needed it. Let me tell you, it was one of the best gifts we received that Christmas.
You can’t put a price tag on making memories and spending quality time with loved ones.
Remember the real reason for the season
Whether you are religious, spiritual or not, it’s important not to lose sight of the real reason for the holiday season. It’s all about doing good towards others as well as making memories with loved ones. It’s NOT about the “hottest” toy of the year – which probably will be long forgotten by January 1st. Nor is it about spending a small fortune and running up your credit cards so that you have to stress about paying them off all next year.
Instead of waiting on long lines or fighting for parking spots, why not volunteer to serve food to those in need. Or volunteer to host a holiday dinner at a nursing home?
My husband and I like to buy Christmas trees for random strangers. We got to a local store that sells Christmas trees and give the cashier the money for a tree with the instructions that the next person who comes in to use that money to pay for it. One year we saw the family whose tree we paid for. We were leaving the parking lot when it happened and the man came running out with a big smile on his facing waving at us.
Maybe the family who benefits from the tree is wealthy. Or maybe they are struggling to get by. We don’t know. We just take it on good faith that the family who benefits from it can use it and that they will be inspired to “pass it on” and do something good for someone else (Random Act of Kindness).
The holidays are about people – not things. Doing something good for another person is a much more rewarding feeling than giving someone a bottle of perfume or a new wallet.
Have fun!
I think a lot of people are too caught up on shopping and gift giving that they neglect to have fun during the holidays.
When was the last time you made a “snow angel?” Or started a snowball fight? Maybe there is a recipe you have been anxious to try but never got around to it.
My husband is great when it comes to being spontaneous and doing fun things during the holidays (and year round). He doesn’t worry about looking silly, or even getting stains on his clothing. He just does it.
One year he smashed his hand into an adorable Turkey cake we had for dessert. My kids dared him to do it. Never dare my husband. LOL!
He’s not afraid to jump into a pile of snow, start a food fight (which he has done plenty of times – including “attacking” my Easter cake). He just likes to have fun. Fun now – clean up the mess later.
Make time to have fun this holiday season. Have hot chocolate with your kids (or grandchildren) while watching holiday movies/shows. Build a snowman. Host a snowball fight. Or try out that recipe you have been anxious to try out. Don’t worry about the mess or clean up. There is time for that later.
I plan on making cranberry sauce again. I did it last year and it turned out great. It was messy, but well worth it.
Remember…. a mess is a sign of a well lived life.
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Stains are a part of life. While you want to delight in the discovery, savor the new skill, or celebrate the holidays, you want the stain gone – all gone.
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We’ve been using Clorox 2® for a few weeks now. So far, so good. Our laundry looks really good. We’ve even used it to freshen up our Christmas tree “skirt” and holiday linens, tea towels and bedding. I’m not going to fret over spilled gravy, cranberry sauce or any other holiday “mess.” I’m simply going to enjoy each and every moment of the holiday season and worry about silly stuff, like stains, later.
If you would like to learn more about Clorox 2® you can visit the brand’s website.
I have a wonderful giveaway for a lucky reader to help make the most out of the holiday season (and beyond…). The prize package includes the following;
- Clorox 2® Stain Remover & Color Booster Liquid
- Clorox 2® Pre-Treat Stain Remover Pen
- $50 Williams Sonoma gift card
- Wine cork cheese spreaders (Supreme Houseware)
- Merlot candle (Rewined)
- Hot chocolate mix (Williams Sonoma)
- Chalkboard beverage dispenser tags (Williams Sonoma)
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on December 19, 2015. The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and tell me if you have any special holiday traditions that always seem to be messy?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Kimberly “I am participating in a VIN campaign for Clorox® . I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with Clorox® and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.”