It’s OK, friends. The holiday stress doesn’t have to be the boss of the holiday season.
And our friends at RITZ are helping us…
…take holiday stress down a notch.
(Check out the RITZ Facebook page for more fun posts like this!)
Easier said than done, right?
So how do we keep from said “tinsel tangling” (a.k.a. holiday stress) when we have been in line at the post office for 10 minutes and the line hasn’t budged an inch? RITZ has shared NINE ideas on how to keep the holiday stress down, including how to handle those long lines. I love the idea! Years ago I started employing fix #2. Makes all the difference. Go check out RITZ’s holiday stress fix ideas. Sometimes we need to lift our heads from the pile of doing we are buried in and take new look.
But RITZ hasn’t just provided tips, don’t forget about The Great RITZ Holiday Parade I told you about last week. There’s not only the fun of float building, but you’ll also find added stress reducers with new deals and savings – DAILY. You can find current deals here.
Saving the monies is definitely a stress reducer.
Aaaaaand of course there’s the RITZ Wrapping Rappers…
(Trouble viewing video? Watch here!)
Wrapping Rappers, GET IT?! I think wrappers should always rap. Definitely the shoppers we not expecting that, and that fun surprise sure did put a smile on a lot of people’s faces! Love it!
So, what do I do to bring the stress level down during the holidays?
Two words: practice letting go.
Emphasis on PRACTICE.
Sure I’d love to be able to bake all my favorite treats and take lovely plates of sweetness to friends… I’d love to join in on the Elf on the Shelf fun or at least use our cute Advent Calendar… I’d love to have sent Christmas cards this year… and I was really hoping to host a Christmas party…
*sigh*
Alas, life is full. And things come up… more important things than baking and addressing cards and planting clever elves around the house. Over the years I have learned to give myself permission to let go of — the ideals.
Some years, the ideals happen. Some years they do not.
Definitely never all of them in one year.
However, something that DOES happen every year is celebrating the holidays with my family. The stuff and activities that surround us are optional.
Family time.
Though Elf on the Shelf mischief, and Advent calendar activities, and baking, and, and, and are all things we can enjoy together… it’s the pressure of doing those things that changes how we celebrate the season together.
I have learned (and am still learning) to let go. Sometimes it can be quite the wrestling match with myself to let something go, but to let go of things is to let go of stress.
The reward? A little more time to see my kids eyes when they light up. A little less time for them to see the stress in mine.
What do you do to make the stress of the holiday season less stressful? What tips do you have to share? I bet there is more than a few people out there who would love to know your secret to a less stressful holiday season.
