10 Great Ways To Lower Your Holiday Stress

While Christmas time is a great time of year, it can bring out a lot of stress for many of us. There is so much to do and so little time to get it done! I definitely know that feeling! Between the gift-buying and all the entertaining we do during the holiday season, I am always surprised I come out alive and with my sanity still intact. I wanted to pass along a few suggestions so that you, too, can keep your sanity through the holiday season.

1. Start Year-Round

I shop year-round.  I actually keep a moving box or two (or maybe even three) full of presents up in my attic that I collect throughout the school year.  Also, the closer it gets to Christmas, the nuttier the malls get.  I can’t stand a packed mall myself. I can avoid the holiday rush by shopping throughout the year.

2. Make A List

Make a list of everyone youneed to buy for.  Keep track of when you’ve bought them something and cross them off.  It’ll keep your spending down, because you won’t buy multiple gifts for the same person!  Plus, your list will help you remember to buy something for someone you should have.

3. Just Say No!

Just say no to some invitations.  Sometimes you have to say no.  No, please don’t put me in another gift exchange.  No, I can’t attend 4 events on the same night.

4. Gift Cards

Gift cards can be your friend.  Sometimes the best gift for the person who has everything is a gift card.  I personally love them.  I can get exactly what I want without feeling guilty. Plus, teenagers love gift cards.

5. Shop Sales

If you know what you want to get for somebody, the Sunday ads can be your friend.  You can wait to see if your gift will go on sale, and you’ll know you got a good deal.  Last year, my mom and I saved over $1700 by shopping on Black Friday.  I knew which items we were getting the most bang for our buck.

6. Know Your Spending Limits

There is nothing worse than opening a credit card bill in January that you can’t afford.  For our brother/sister exchange at my in-laws, we set a limit of $25.  It makes it so everybody can afford to be in the exchange.  I also try to spend the same amount on my kids.  You can keep track of how much you spent on each person when you do tip #2.

7. Exercise  

Not only will it help you keep off the holiday pounds, it’ll help you clear your head.  You also won’t feel guilty for eating a piece of pie.

8. Stay on your routine

If you go to bed at 10 pm, try to keep doing that throughout the holiday season.  If you keep changing your routine, it throws your whole body off, and you’ll feel off.

9. Ask for help.  

If you are feeling overwhelmed, ask others in your life for a hand.  Most people are willing to step up and help out when needed.  That’s what friends are for. Plus, talking out your feelings can help you feel better.

10. Save throughout the year.  

On top of buying gifts throughout the whole year, you can also put away money.  Each month I put away a small amount of money into my savings (though some banks have Christmas Clubs you can do this with).  Come Christmastime now, I am able to pay for almost all our Christmas stuff with the money.  Since I put away money each month, I didn’t feel like I was even missing it.

How do you deal with the holiday stress in your life?