If you have recently suffered a loss, the holidays may seem to be lurking ready to crush you or, you just feel so stressful that you want to be able to enjoy this time of year, instead of dreading it.
Here are some tips that can help you feel more in charge.
1) Simplify-Some examples are are: if you are having folks over to your house, make simpler dishes, and less variety. Remember the importance of the holidays are to be with people you love. If you come from a family that doesn’t get along, you can either make an agreement to get along, skip it all together and go to friends or stay home and be peaceful.
2) Delegate-That means ask other people to help bring food, beverages, centerpieces, tableclothes, whatever. One person or family should not be responsible for the entire meal or holiday. If you are going over to someone’s house, you can ask what can you do to be helpful. Of better yet, offer something that you enjoy making or buying.
3) Prioritize- Decide what customs, traditions, food, are important and get rid of time consuming activities that you are tired of doing. An example if you make holiday candy for everyone and you don’t want to, maybe its too time consuming, expensive, or you are trying to eat healthier. You can say I am not going to make chocolate bars this year, but I am willing to bring a fruit sampler plate. Get togethers should be valued time together and not about having your house be perfect.
4) Incorporate new traditions- If you have a large extended family and Christmas shopping is getting out of hand, you can ask to draw one name per family for gift giving. You might even be able then to give to a good cause with some of the money you save. If you have to shop for one person what a wonderful time you can have trying to get that one gift with love and thought!
So take care of yourself in these times and change it from being a stressful time to a thoughtful, loving time.