5 Keys to a Better Holiday

by Makesha Parrish

It’s that time of year again! The smell of fresh pine is in the air, the sound of jingle bells are playing outside your local store, shelves are stocked with items for pumpkin and sweet potato pie, Secret Santa parties are being planned, and “goodwill toward men” is an anthem throughout the city…

It’s the holiday season! Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. Along with “good tidings of great joy” come planning for office and school parties, houseguests, in-laws, ex-spouses, baking, cleaning, and most of all, gift giving. The holiday season can bring on a multitude of stressors. It can almost be compared to an Academy Award winning performance with all of the fake smiling, pretending you know how to cook, and spending money you don’t have in an effort to win the prize for being “the best dressed, amazing cook, who bought the most expensive gift”. Instead of focusing on the fun and enjoyment of the season, it has become a form of competition, but it does not have to be this way! Listed below are 5 keys to unlocking your best holiday season yet.

1) Know yourself

Simply put, do not agree to something you do not want to do or cannot do. For example if you do not like baking, do not volunteer to bake 100 cupcakes for your child’s kindergarten class. Instead, offer to purchase cupcakes or give a donation to the “cupcake fund”. Acknowledge who you are and become okay with who you are. The holidays are not the time to pretend. Pretending causes more stress than it’s worth. Know what you’re good at and stick to that.

2) Set a budget and stick to it

The holiday season takes up roughly 2 months out of the entire year; there is no need to go into 2014 with a significant amount of debt that is preventable. If you have a tight budget, find creative ways to celebrate the holiday season. Start a family version of Secret Santa and draw names or start a new tradition of setting a financial limit to see who can be the most creative with their gift. Plan for grocery shopping early in the season and look for sales. Waiting until the last minute will cost you, literally.

3) Avoid frivolous arguments

Emotions have a tendency to flare up when you have to face ex-spouses, stepchildren, and in-laws. Do not engage in arguments that are not going to get you anywhere. The goal of the holidays is to have fun and enjoy one another. Find some common ground and stay there. Do not allow yourself to get drawn into the drama that someone else is going to benefit from.

4) Set Priorities/Goals

Ask yourself the question, “Why am I doing this?” If you do not have an answer, then it is not a priority. Setting priorities will help you to let go of unrealistic expectations. Whatever your priorities are, at the beginning of January, you should be able to evaluate the holidays and say that you met all of your goals.

5) Breathe and Laugh

While this advice might sound silly, we have a tendency to become tense when things are not going our way. If things are not going as planned, allow yourself to breathe. Take a breath before you react. The holidays are supposed to be about enjoying one another; take a moment to laugh at something silly. Laughter is like medicine; it’s good for the soul.

Here’s to hoping your holiday season is filled with more joy and laughter than hassles and stress. Remember that this season is about being thankful and celebrating with friends and family. If these few tips are applied, you are sure to have your best holiday season yet! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!