Love it or hate it, the festive season is almost upon us – again. I know for many of us it feels like just yesterday, but nope, it’s nearly been 12 months 🤪 And I think we can collectively agree on one wish this year. A simpler, calmer Christmas.
A few years ago I did a major reassessment of how I approached Christmas. No more weeks of endless stress arranging DIY presents, no slaving over the stove for days on end prepping food. And no more stressing about having the ‘perfect’ day.
I want my Christmas season to be relaxed, focused on being with my family, and also resting and taking time for myself. This has required a big mindset shift and lots of changes internally. It requires me to let go of perfectionism, control and fear and be open to joy and living in the moment.
Here are 5 things you can do to make a simpler, calmer Christmas happen at your place this year.
1. Plan some things (but not all the things)
This is all about finding a happy medium. If you are used to planning everything from the Christmas stockings to the personalised napkin holders then you might want to practice loosening your grip a bit. Try letting go of one or two things you normally try and organise for Christmas. If it’s something that still needs to happen, try and delegate the task to someone else. If it’s something that’s done every year but isn’t necessary (secret Santa, Christmas cards, obligatory Christmas day photo), see what it feels like to just let it go completely this year. I still remember vividly the year I realised I didn’t have to write Christmas cards anymore – revolutionary!
And conversely, if you try and stick your head in the sand about Christmas until the 23rd, you may want to plan a couple of things 😅 But put some boundaries in place so your anxiety doesn’t overwhelm you. Make it simple. Tell yourself that (some) plans will be made by the second week in December and the rest will fall into place naturally.
Read: The 4 Gifts I really need this Christmas
2. Keep (some) traditions
Traditions are part of what makes this time of year special. Many of the traditions in our family revolve around food. Every year one of us makes a big batch of the peanut butter popcorn that my husbands family grew up with. The actual making of the popcorn is a fun event in itself. But sometimes traditions have run their course and no longer serve a purpose.
If there are some traditions that you dread because they drain your bank account (secret santa) or your energy levels (Pinterest-inspired table decorations), then it might be time to let them go.
Read: 7 Reasons To Start Celebrating Christmas Now
3. Shop early and within your means
Much of the stress around Christmas time is financial. I know many people are struggling to pay regular bills, let alone shop ahead for gifts. Previous years I’ve purchased gifts we couldn’t really afford, only to spend the next few months paying them off. And other times, to try and save money I’ve made gifts or stressed about finding the perfect, inexpensive gift. Neither of these options have ever resulted in a calmer Christmas!
These days I start my gift planning and buying after my daughters birthday in mid November, early enough for me to still order online and shop for bargains, but after the birthday flurry. For our children, we always use the rhyme I learned years ago. “Something to wear, something to read, something they want, something they need”. This gives you structure and stops you going over board.
Read: Simple gift-giving: 8 ideas to reduce your Christmas stress
4. Schedule rest time
Christmas time is often unavoidably busy. There are Christmas functions, school break ups, and all sorts of other year-end events. On top of this, work is busier with extra demand and the need to tie up loose ends before putting up the out-of-office sign. Add the preparation of gift giving and festive food and it’s a recipe for overwhelm and exhaustion.
Block out time in your calendar now for rest periods. Do this for your whole family. Take a day off seeing the extended family. Curl up on the couch with leftovers if it’s snowing, escape to the beach if you are in the Southern Hemisphere like me.
Prioritise rest as much as you prioritise fun activities. Christmas is also a time for lots of big emotions for many people. Tread lightly with your loved ones and give each other the space and rest you all need.
Read: All I want for Christmas is peace and quiet… (and how I’m getting it)
5. Remember there’s always after Christmas
And lastly, can we all please remember that the world isn’t ending on the 25th December! I have become increasingly fascinated by the amount of rush and urgency prior to Christmas. People are constantly throwing around phrases like ‘let’s catch up before Christmas!’, as if the apocalypse is nigh.
Read aloud with me. “I don’t need to catch up with ALL my friends and family prior to Christmas 🤣
Additionally, if you can, leave some tasks until after Christmas. I know it feels better to have that project finished or all the windows cleaned before the big day – but the world won’t end if things like this don’t happen. Much of our pre-Christmas stress and hurry is completely self imposed.
Every December I invite people to partake in a free email series – Calm the Christmas Crazy. If you want some great strategies and tips for a calmer, simpler Christmas then this will help you.
I love doing it too as it grounds me and helps me to take a deep breath every morning and realign myself with the person I want to be.
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