5 Ways for Moms to Relax Over Christmas
In order to relax over Christmas, let’s talk about 5 important areas of home life to keep a close eye on. Despite our lack of over-the-top cute Thanksgiving decor, and my inability to remember to post what I’m thankful for EVERY SINGLE DAY in November, and even all the crafts that don’t get done… We rock our Holidays around here!
I like to start thinking about the holidays a month ahead of time. For instance, we plan our November in October and our December in November.
I talk more about making Christmas magical in this post here.
While this is one of my favorite ways to squeeze the most memories out of the holidays, the very best way to enjoy your time with family is for everyone to have a good attitude.
The Road To Holiday Stress
Stress at the holidays creeps up on you. We all enter into October with excited anticipation. Ready for cooler temps, fall scents, and the joys of the season.
Then comes the overeating, overspending and screentime oversaturation of kids being out of school. First at Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Years.
Since it’s so easy for the holiday season to become busied and stressful, I wanted to share with you my top 5 ways of keeping our home a place of peace and joy during the holiday months!
How to Relax Over Christmas
#1. Don’t let behavior and training slip.
Most of the time the month of December is just a complete free-for-all. Schools are out. Vacation time is taken. Shopping is happening (a lot.) Eating out increases. Consumption of sweets goes through the roof, etc…
Don’t be fooled into thinking that memories are made and joy is found by allowing a no-holds-barred atmosphere at home during the holidays. Your standards should remain intact no matter the time of year.
Keeping things in check helps kids feel secure and structure, which naturally leads to better behavior.
#2. Plan your holidays.
We have a lot of things we like to do for intentional memory making during the holidays. We drive around to see lights (more than once,) deliver cookies to first-responders, visit Christmas tree farms, visit the Opryland Hotel, play secret Santa, and more.
If we are not intentional to clear our schedule, choose days, and write down when we will be doing each activity, we can’t fit it all in.
Then when the month is over we look back only to realize we spent the time doing other things that equal out to a whole-lotta-nothing and wishing we’d done more of the stuff we love.
My friend Chrissy over at Organise My House has an AHHH-MAZING Christmas planner to help you with this. Check it out here. Sit down to have a family meeting, and plan/schedule your holiday activities.
This goes a long way toward how to relax over christmas because we all get really disappointed if we feel like the time has just slipped away. A holiday planner, such as this free one will go a long way to help you stay on track!
#3. Don’t spend too much money.
Of all the activities we do with our family during the Holidays, only two of them cost money.
We have a lot of fun, make a lot of memories, invest in the hearts of our children, strengthen our family, and all for very little money.
Abigail Van Buren said, “If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.”
The experiences in your child’s life will shape who he becomes, not money.
Don’t needlessly stress yourself and your family with overspending this holiday season! You only have a handful of holiday seasons to spend with your little ones. Find affordable gift ideas for little boys here.
Don’t let behavior, over-extending yourself, or money be the reason you and your children don’t enjoy this special time!
#4. Don’t do all the work yourself.
The first Thanksgiving after my mom passed away, I insisted on cooking every bit of food for over 20 people. We hosted them in our little house and I believe I got about 3 hours sleep over the course of 48 hours.
It was more than a little crazy.
I’ve slowly come to my senses. Each year I’d let go of a little more perfectionism, and ask others to provide a contribution. However, it is only this year that I really feel like, “I am providing the house, Y’all bring everything else!”
You’re not a catering service. Others are capable, and likely want to help. Delegate food and responsibilities.
#5. You can’t please everyone all the time.
Some people just won’t commit. There is typically someone you can count on to be late, not make plans until the last minute, or bring something different than he or she said they’d bring.
Make your plans regardless. Set dates and times for holiday plans, and follow through with them.
No matter how hard you try to conjure up plans that will work for everyone, inevitably someone will have a conflict.
The back and forth of trying to make things work for so many people is exhausting. You’ll find it impossible to relax over Christmas if you are always changing plans. Don’t want to be the one swip-swapping plans around constantly. Other family members may be looking to you to set the standard.
Is How to Relax Over Christmas Really That Simple?
Is it really as easy as those five steps to avoid mom stress during the holidays? Actually, ya… it really can be. The trouble arises because each of those 5 things requires self-discipline, which is where we all struggle. Womp! Womp! Womp!
All 5 areas require a wee-bit-o-planning. Or perhaps a lot of planning. Plan to keep your child on track the same during October-December as you would the rest of the year (click here for child behavior help.) Plan your days, weeks, and months so that you can do the things you really want to do! And lastly, plan how much money you are going to spend, and DON’T plan to do all the work or try to please everyone!
