Holiday Stress Relief: Simple Tips For A Calmer Christmas

Find holiday stress relief with simple tips for planning, organizing, and enjoying Christmas. Stay calm, save time, and truly enjoy the season.

Holiday stress is real. All of us, at one time or another, have experienced it to some degree. It’s not unusual or hard to understand. Holiday stress is the direct result of having too much to do, and not enough hours in the day. Preparing for the holiday season adds to an already busy schedule, but there are ways to make it easier. So read on for some easy-to-implement tips…and even if you get just one new idea to make things easier this holiday season, this post will have done its job.

Start Early For Holiday Stress Relief

I know some people don’t like the idea of starting Christmas prep before Thanksgiving, but finding balance is key. If you wait until after Thanksgiving, all the pressure lands on December, and there’s no need for that. The truth is, you can prepare for both holidays at the same time. Begin your Thanksgiving plans a few weeks in advance, and also put the wheels in motion for Christmas. Starting early makes the whole season feel calmer. Shopping is easier because items are still in stock, and evenings are more relaxed because you aren’t collapsing into bed wondering how you’ll ever get it all done.

Make Lists

This tip goes hand in hand with starting early: make lists. Begin jotting down what you want to bake, who you’re buying for, and any updates to your Christmas card list. Writing everything on paper instantly makes the season feel more manageable. When thoughts stay jumbled in your head, the to-dos can seem endless, but a clear list helps you see exactly what needs to be done. And there’s nothing quite as satisfying as checking off each task along the way.

Set A Holiday Budget

Setting a holiday budget is something worth doing every year. Decide ahead of time how much to spend on kids, friends, and your spouse, and let your family know the limits so expectations are clear. You probably already have a good idea of what groceries will cost based on years past. For me, the temptation is always Christmas décor. I tell myself to use what I have, but new things seem to find their way home with me anyway. Having a budget keeps me in check and allows me to splurge a little on the parts of Christmas I love most.

Decide On A Theme

If you like to decorate with a theme, decide that now. Some years I use a theme, and other years it’s a free-for-all. This is definitely a personal choice, but it’s helpful to decide in advance, so if you need to purchase anything, you have plenty of time.

Organize Your Holiday Decorations

Before the season is in full swing, take a look at your decorations and decide if there’s anything you want to donate. Clearing out what you no longer use makes it easier to see what you already have. If you decorate with a theme, pull out the pieces that fit, then make a list of anything you’d like to add. At this stage, it’s also helpful to organize your decorations and place everything you plan to use in one spot. I do this every year, and it saves so much time compared to rummaging through multiple bins later.

Gather and Organize Wrapping Supplies

Once Thanksgiving is behind you, it’s time to set up a wrapping station. If you have the space, go ahead and set it up earlier so you can wrap as you buy. Take a few minutes now to look through your supplies and decide if you need anything new. Wrapping gifts has always been one of my favorite parts of Christmas, so I take the time to add tissue paper, boxes, and a pretty bow to each package. But if that’s not your style, keep it simple. Today’s pre-made bows are beautiful and make the job much easier. For even more inspiration, take a look at my Christmas gift wrap ideas where I share simple ways to make your packages extra special.

Bake and Freeze

This is such a time and sanity saver. Baking ahead of time not only reduces stress as it gets closer to the big day, but it makes the task much more enjoyable. Take one thing at a time. Plan everything out with the Home for the Holidays Christmas Planner. Try to have everything finished, and in the freezer by mid-December. You will feel so accomplished and relieved!

Plan Your Christmas Card

Christmas cards may not be as popular as they once were, but if you still send them, now is the time to get a plan in place. Take your photo, order the cards, and gather your addresses. For years I kept my list on a spreadsheet so I could print mailing labels, but recently my daughter-in-law helped me upload everything to Minted. Having the cards and envelopes printed was such a time saver, and the finished product was beautiful. The best part is that with just a few quick updates each year, my list is always ready to go. All I need to do is upload a new picture and place the order. If you’d like to see the options for yourself, visit Minted to browse their beautiful selection of cards.

Holiday Stress Relief Tip: Shop Online

Shopping online has truly become a way of life for me. Living in a small town in Ohio, the nearest Target is an hour away, so having the ability to order what I need from home has been a game changer. When you shop online, be sure to check for coupon codes, avoid paying shipping whenever possible, and start early so you aren’t left scrambling. Most retailers offer generous holiday return policies, so sending something back is usually quick and easy.

Christmas Planner Organization

When you are ready to begin your Christmas prep, make sure to get this handy free printable Christmas planner before you do anything. It will help organize your thoughts, minimize holiday stress, and nudge you to make those essential lists. If you want to read more about it, visit my post that shows you how to organize and utilize the planner. If you would rather just download and print, fill out the form below. Let’s avoid holiday stress and make this the best Christmas ever!