You And Your Partner Can Have A Stress Free Holiday
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When we try to hard to have the perfect holiday, it creates a lot of stress. Our mental to do list goes into overtime planning for joyful family gatherings, heartfelt gift giving, delicious food, and fun holiday events. Any time we set our expectations high, we can actually make ourselves miserable.
The reality is that many people overspend, overdo, and overeat during the holidays. Many try to do it all themselves, try to go to every holiday party and event, and fail to plan ahead or take time for them.
The key to relieving stress during this busy holiday season is to sit down with your spouse and plan for how much money you will devote to the holidays, how you will handle gift giving, family get-togethers, and parties and events. Here are 5 ways to do it.
- Set a budget and stick to it
Nothing puts stress on a relationship than overextending your finances during the holidays. Sit down with your spouse and make a list of gifts to buy, holiday purchases for decorations and food. Trim back your list by cutting back on the “extras” like more decorations or food or less expensive gifts. You don’t need to go overboard to have a great holiday.
- Learn to say NO.
You do not need to attend every holiday party and event. Make sure to space out parties and events so you have time to breathe in between. Decide as a couple which events to attend and say No to the rest.
- Ask for help.
You do not need to do everything yourselves. Make the holidays a family time and get everyone involved. Ask extended family to come to a cookie and candy swap. All the baking gets done and everyone goes home with lots of delicious goodies. Make the holiday meal a potluck so you don’t have to do all the cooking.
- Plan for last minute changes.
Holidays are also a time when plans don’t always go they way you want. Someone in the family gets sick and you have to cancel an event. The vegetable dish you were supposed to bring to the party turned our terrible. Life happens and you will get through it. Adjust your attitude and accept the change.
- Take care of yourself
Eating all the rich foods during the holidays and trying to pack in all of the events and parties can wreak havoc on your body. You each need time to take care of you. Prepare healthy meals. Get plenty of sleep. Take some time to get some exercise.
As this joyous holiday grows near, don’t get caught up in the endless stressors. Put your time and energy into what is most important-your marriage and your family.
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