Each year we get to mark an exceptional time of the year, Christmas and New Year. It’s a time to get together with our family and friends, share special moments, find wonderful presents to gift to our loved ones, eat delicious food, celebrate our lives and what we intend for our future, be in gratitude for all we have and so much more.
It’s also a time when we can get stressed out about our “To Do List” of all the things we need to achieve to pull these events off and make them a success.
So what can you do to survive the “Holiday Season Madness?”
The first thing you’ll need to do is:
- Create a plan
Decide upon what specifically you want to do.
For example: Are you going to be hosting Christmas lunch/dinner at your house or are you going to be attending it at a family member’s house or are you going to your favorite restaurant to celebrate? How many people will it be for? What’s your budget?
If you are visiting family members that are out of state, are you flying or driving?
Who will you be buying presents for?
Once you have completed your plan then go to the next step. It’s also good to have a backup plan if things don’t go exactly as you intend them to. If for some reason you have to work late or have less time off to run some of your errands have a back up person (your spouse, neighbor, friend) who can help you get things done with short notice or at the last minute.
- Make a list
Make a list of all the things you need to do to execute your plan.
If you are cooking Christmas lunch for 12 people and you’ve planned out your menu, create a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to buy for each dish, what type of drinks you’ll be having for your guests, things you’ll need to decorate the table and your house to give it a festive feel etc.
For your Christmas gifts, create a list of your loved ones and the presents you’ll be buying and where you’ll be going to purchase them from such as specific stores or online. Include cards, wrapping paper, bows, Christmas stockings and anything else you’ll need to get.
- Schedule dates
In order to execute your plan in a timely manner schedule the days and times you are going to go out and get all the things on your list. If you know you’ll be buying toys or other presents that are in high demand, purchase them one or two months earlier so you don’t have deal with the disappointment of not being able to get your item as it’s sold out or you’re hit with paying top dollar because you left it till the last minute.
Set up the dates and times on your calendar and block those times off from doing anything else so you’ll have the time to complete what you set out to do without any other interruptions or distractions
- Execute all the action steps
As per the schedule on your calendar, make sure you execute all the tasks so that you complete all the necessary action steps and have all the items you require on your lists.
Check everything off your lists once you have completed them so you know what you have remaining that’s left to do or discover anything that you might have forgotten and/or you’ll have available if unexpected/additional guests come.
- Pace yourself and give yourself some quality time off
If you find that you’re feeling overwhelmed, pace yourself. Check over your plan and see if you can spread tasks over more days so you have more time to fit everything in.
If there’s a way of taking shortcuts do that! E.g. have your friends or family members bring food for your event, so you don’t have to cook everything yourself or have the whole thing catered. You can invite friends around for a coffee and cake and get them to help you wrap all your presents. Buy your gifts online so you don’t have to deal with long queues and large crowds. If you do need to go out and shop, go early in the morning or later in the evening when there is much less people around.
If you have a hectic schedule with long hours, give yourself some quality time off such as one or two 30 – 60 minute breaks so you can put your feet up and feel refreshed for when everyone arrives or before you go to your family member’s event.
- Choose moderation
Whatever you choose to eat and drink during this time, choose moderation. If you want to indulge in all your favorite foods and drinks by all means you can do so AND so as not to upset your digestive system, be concerned with weight gain or get too intoxicated eat and/or drink smaller portions of each item, so you can have a bit of everything and feel good after as well.
- Have fun
This is a time of year to enjoy yourself, so make sure you have fun. Even if you’re doing tasks around your house or cooking up a storm, put on some great music that makes you feel good so you can dance and/or sing along. If you are out shopping, smile at people and wish them Merry Christmas. If you see someone struggling with their shopping jump in and help them, to make things lighter. Call up family members and friends that you won’t be seeing, to catch up and wish them Happy Holidays or Happy New Year.
