Oh it’s a crazy time of year and with to-do lists that are a mile long, it can be an overwhelming. From getting ready to host out of town guests, finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list, wrapping gifts, sending holiday cards, not missing anyone’s holiday get together for fear of offending them…..Well, you get the idea because these are all things that are part of your life right now too! Finding your holiday zen isn’t always easy but I have three tried and true things that I always do as the holidays approach in order to help save my sanity that I thought I’d share in case they’re helpful for you too!
Get organized
I live by my calendar but even more so after Thanksgiving and until Christmas since it’s so easy to double book yourself between the invitations, holiday performances, and kid events that happen during this time. Whether you have a shared family calendar or a paper one in your family’s hub, it’s important to ensure that you check your calendar before saying yes in order to avoid double booking but will also allow you to see your week at a glance to determine how many things your family can realistically handle in one day or week.
Trust your gut and send your regrets
By being organized, it’s easier for me to take a look at your calendar and realize when it might be a good idea to send regrets rather than accepting too many invitations. It’s way too easy for me to click yes to an eVite for a neighborhood cookie swap, agree to stop by a holiday open house, and think I’ll make it home in time to change for my husband’s work holiday party but I have to be realistic. If I were to do all of those things in a day, I know I’d make myself crazy and not be in the moment and able to enjoy where I am. Instead I’d be thinking about where I need to be next and watching the clock! I’ve realized that there’s no need to make myself crazy and if looking at my calendar is stressing me out, I need to trust my gut and say no thank you, regardless of how tempting the invitation may be. Trust me when I say that you’ll thank me later!
Make time for each other
By saying no and carving out pockets of time where we don’t have anything scheduled helps preserve family time. During the holidays we love our traditions of baking holiday cookies for our neighbors, watching movies like Christmas Vacation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Polar Express, wrapping gifts to put under the tree, and finding ways to engage in charity by helping others. These activities help strengthen our family bond and provide time to sit, relax, and find some holiday zen.
Create conversations
Having time at home together also ensures that I’m available for my kids to have important conversations about the issues they’re wondering about. They’re at the age when classmates are challenging their belief in Santa (yes, they still believe at ages 7 and almost 10!) and I like being able to talk about what they think when they bring it up. It’s also a time when they’ve overheard adults talking about family issues and the stress of being together that they don’t quite understand. And since many gatherings involve alcohol, my kids – who are not shy about talking about what they see regarding drinking – often ask about what kinds of beverages are in the bottles and why festive occasions include drinking to celebrate. I know it’s up to me to educate them about how we can enjoy ourselves responsibly as adults who are over 21 while also modeling the behavior I hope they’ll exhibit when they become older.
How do you find your #HolidayZen at this time of year? I know it’s not easy but I hope these four things are achievable baby steps that can help you enjoy the season. Happy holidays!
As a blog ambassador for The Century Council, I am compensated for my involvement but all opinions are my own. Word cloud image courtesy of The Century Council.
Scheduling in some “down time” for yourself is a great thing to do during any busy time of the year, and this is something I’ve been enforcing for myself. Last night, for instant, I shut down my desktop at 8pm, and thought about turning on my laptop after showering, but instead decided to relax with some Grey’s Anatomy. Best decision ever- I feel very rested and ready to take on the world today! 🙂
I keep focused on what the holiday is about: Christ is born to us. Anything above that is cake, anything that misses that mark is worthless to me. That leads me to peace & joy and helps me enjoy my loved one and the memories we create best of all 🙂
I keep my zen by not running to every event, they just drain you, love small family get togethers and just taking some me time, whether it’s a bubble bath with a glass of wine or watching some Holiday classics with a glass or 2 of wine 🙂
Great Tips ! Even though this year for Christmas ! We had lots of plans for the family to enjoy, but we had some unplanned events that brought down our plans. As much as were working together to keep our Christmas spirit, for our kids we are doing everything possible for them to enjoy. Were keeping ourselves organized because I know this month is the busiest time of the year for myself and my family #HolidayZen
I’m looking forward to baking cookies with the kids. It wasn’t a tradition for me growing up, but I want to start it with my kids.
sometimes you just have to say – I’m sleeping in – to get the rest you need – don’t overbook yourself either
Keeping my Zen by taking time to relax and re-energize whenever possible. Proper sleep, and exercise help to achieve this
Conversations are very important i agree with you. My boys are 5,6 on their way to being 6 & 7 and they still believe in santa. They’ve asked the questions about alcohol beverages and we make sure to have conversations about how adults are to drink responsibly I hope that in the future they’ll look back on our talks and make the right choices. I think i find my holiday zen by making time to undwind wether it be a bubble bath, a book, or a holiday movie its a need!
I try to start early in December to get everything going and done so when it is Christmas week I have time to enjoy my family and home. Peace of mind and sanity is priceless.
I find my zen by working out.
I have learned not to stress and keep my holiday zen by letting things go. I can’t be all and do all. It’s just not possible so I do the things I can and let the rest go. This is all easier said than done though. 🙂
I like to list all the things that I need to do then choose which ones are the most important and work my way down. If I am not able to do the small stuff, that’s OK. I got the big stuff done.
I go to the gym, I find that working out clears my head and lets me listen to my body. Plus they have a day care so I know the kids are taken care of too.
clearing my mind and running
I make time for a little bit of reading. Reading a book or magazine I enjoy always calms me down and gives me a renewed perspective on life!
I am achieving en this holiday season by cleaning. I accumulate far too much stuff all year long. This is the perfect time of year to donate everything, and this year I did not hold back. After all, it is only fair that my son be able to se his walls which for almost the whole year has been blocked with blog gift bags!
Mitch
I find my zen by baking with my kids and driving around and finding the prettiest holiday decorations. We love looking at the houses all decked out for the season.
Shop early, keep receipts just in case item goes on sale because you can still get that price if you have your receipt and it is within the specified time frame, wrap as soon as you get it home.
I hope to find my zen by decluttering my living spaces.
I find my zen by having me time where I just listen to music and sip some coffee
I do not worry about things that don’t really matter, yes being a good hostess, keeping the house clean and getting everybody’s gift is important but my #1 priority is Spending quality time with my family everything else can wait
Creating conversations is a huge one. Bed time is a great time to find your zen by lying down with your kids for those quiet moments.