A PYP Best Blog! Keeping the Holidays Simple!
Just in case you missed this article on keeping the holidays simple the first time we shared it a couple of years ago, we are republishing it. After Marne wrote this blog originally, we got an awesome response. The holidays are a couple months away but these ideas for keeping the holidays simple are good to start thinking about now. This is one of the PYP Best Blogs!
We always have great aspirations of keeping the holidays simple, don’t we? Then when they get here it can be a different story. What is important to remember is that we are in control of our own environment. If those around us choose to make the holidays overly crazy and tiring, you don’t have to choose that. Simplicity is a choice, although not an easy one most of the time.
Here are a few things you can do to make the holiday season a little more stress-free, simple, and budget-friendly.
- Make gift giving simple. There are many ways to do this. Forgo the big extended family gift exchange and donate all the money that would have been used to a shelter or other needy establishment. You can decide to all give homemade gifts from the heart. Have a contest to see who can give the most meaningful gift. Instead of having a minimum for family gift exchanges, have maximums, ie, don’t spend over $10. These are fun and creative, not to mention less stressful approaches to gift-giving.
- More isn’t always better. Spending lots of money on countless toys and gifts that don’t mean anything to the recipient has two problems: wasted money on the giver’s part, and a receiver who doesn’t really want the gift. It is better to give one or two meaningful gifts (even to children) instead of several. I am a firm believer in not giving my children lots of toys at Christmas. Too much causes more chaos, fighting over the gifts, and just more gluttony…they always are looking for more. Teach them to appreciate what they do have, and less can become more.
- Forgo the Christmas cards. Going one year without sending out Christmas cards isn’t the most horrible thing you could do. It will be one less thing to worry about, and it really is no big deal. If sending out cards is important to you, then plan ahead so your holiday season can be less stressful. I keep a list every year and update it as I get new cards. This way I already know who I am sending cards to without hunting for names and addresses.
- Don’t do a lot of baking. I am not boycotting baking here, since I enjoy it at the holidays also. But it is one thing you can cut out to allow more time to spend with your family as well as save you calories on your waistline. If you really want to bake some goodies, try baking after Christmas, around New Year’s. It is still the holiday season but the rush of Christmas is over.
- Save ahead for your gifts. It is obviously too late this year for this tip, but try saving for Christmas all year. That way when it is time to go shopping, you have some money saved up. Much easier on the budget, and it will give you peace of mind as you shop. Always set a limit and don’t go over it.
Hopefully you can sit down and relax during this holiday season with a cup of hot chocolate by the Christmas tree. Take time to soak in the wonders of the holiday season and remember all the other stuff isn’t as important…but the feelings, traditions and memories created stay.
Preparing For The Holidays
Preparing for the holidays can be a very stressful task to have at hand but thanks to the list of tips below, we’re going to make things a little bit easier for you this year. Not only does our advice work well for Christmas but it also works great for Easter, Halloween, and even Thanksgiving. So, with that being said, we hope that you’ll take the time to read the list below, share it with your friends, and see how it benefits you this amazing holiday season.
Stay Calm
The first tip that we have for you is to stay calm. This will not only help you make sure that everything goes as planned but it’s good for your health as well. The last thing you want to be happening on Christmas day is for your kids to have to come visit you in the hospital just because you got stressed out and had a minor heart attack. Trust on this. Stay calm!
Plan, Plan, Plan
The next tip that we have for you is to plan times three. Yes, you can never do too much planning. If you’re planning for Christmas, start in August. Get your shopping out of the way (for the most part) and go ahead and wrap some presents. You could even start at income tax time if you’re one of those people that prefer to buy gift cards. They typically don’t expire and you’ll have your Christmas shopping out of the way in February which rocks!
Ask For Help
The third (but not final) tip that we have for you is to ask for help. If at any point during the holidays you begin to get overwhelmed, ask for help. Even if it’s just due to stress for planning your family’s 4th of July picnic, don’t be afraid to ask for an outside ear. It’ll work wonders and we assure you that there will be someone around that is willing to help you.
Look Ahead
Finally, the last tip that we have is this. Look ahead! What do we mean by this? Well, basically, what we mean is this. You should always be looking forward. No, not in a certain direction but looking forward to something. What would your life become if you didn’t have anything to look forward to? Exactly! So, by all means, find a reason to look ahead!
And that’s all you need to do in order to survive this holiday season. Stay calm, look ahead, plan in advance, and don’t be afraid to ask for your help. If you do all of this in conjunction with each other, you’ll have no trouble having the best Easter, Christmas, or birthday ever! Yes, we consider birthdays holidays and think that most people should but that’s a whole other topic. Now, what are you waiting for? Let’s put these tips into action today. If they work out well for you, be sure to stop back by the site and let us know. Thanks!