Happy Tuesday, Ladies!!
With Christmas and the New Year quickly approaching, many of us can get overwhelmed, exhausted, and just feel like….
Sometimes we don’t even know where to start in order to get it ALL done in time. Don’t worry…I’m here to help. I have a couple helpful hints to help you stay STRESS-FREE this Christmas season!
#1 Say No
Over the holidays, you HAVE to say “No” to some things. There’s no way to see everything, do everything, and be everywhere you want to be. You’ll end up looking like a frazzled mess way before Christmas. And nobody has time for that. It’s okay to say no. Figure out what’s a priority for your family. Make those things happen and don’t worry about not making it to everything.
The year Bowen arrived (November 27th, 2012) I was a bit of a hot mess. I tried my best to juggle a newborn baby with a two and three year old at home as well as a husband who traveled all football season long. We made plans to get out and do some festive things before Christmas was here, but you know what this hormonal Mama forgot? SANTA! We completely forgot to visit Santa that year and you know what? It didn’t kill us! I’m a little bummed we didn’t get a cute picture of three-week-old baby Bowen in his lap, but it’s a small thing. And I can’t sweat it.
Some things just won’t happen during the holidays and that’s okay.
#2 Game Plan
As silly as it sounds I plan everything now. I keep notes on my phone where I write down all the gifts we’re buying and the ones we’ve already bought. I keep notes about our budget to make sure I’m not going overboard on presents.
I write the outings and activities we want to do to celebrate Christmas. I also plan that out by trying to spread those out over the month. As long as you have a plan, you can make anything happen and it’s not so stressful. You know what’s headed and you have a GAME PLAN!!
#3 Remember the REAL Reason
As cliche as it sounds, remember why you’re celebrating in the first place. Did us missing Santa in 2012 keep us from celebrating the birth of Jesus? Absolutely not. So, I’m not sweating it. Will missing a Christmas party stop your family from celebrating your Savior’s birth? Absolutely not. It’s important ALL season long to remember the REAL reason we’re celebrating Christmas. Not to buy our kids presents. Not to get that golf cart you’ve been wanting (I’m talking to myself here.). Not to buy the perfect dress for the Christmas party. The true meaning of Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior.
Keeping that priority in check will help the rest of our busy season run smoothly.
What about you?? What do you do to make sure you stay STRESS-FREE over the holidays? Tomorrow I have some gift guides headed your way-for the CHILDREN in our lives! If you’re looking for a last minute gift, stay tuned! 🙂
