Is your holiday season more like the helliday season?
This series is a collection of tips to make the end of year times a bit less stressful, and a bit more joyful. To be sure, there's no cure-all solution. Or magic stress erasing trigger point. Sometimes we just need to get through as best we can.
But small steps and small moments matter. Hang in there.
* * *
Let's talk about gifts.
For some, gifts are a joyous and exciting part of the holiday season. But for many, gift shopping, gift giving, or gift receiving tend to float to the top of their helliday stress sludge.
There's a lot of layers to it.
Expectations.
Preparation.
Finances.
Logistics.
Timing.
Reevaluate how you feel about gifts. in a moment of quiet reflection, without ads or jingles or social pressure, you may feel differently about how and what you want.
* * *
PICK SMALL
One way to ease the stress of gifts is to go small.
Narrow down your shopping to prioritize items that are small by default: gift cards, jewelry, or books and journals.
Eliminating the physical space and bulk that gifts can take up in your life around the holidays makes for a much easier purchase, easier wrap, and easier transport, mail or delivery.
"Some gifts are big. Others are small. But the ones that come from the heart are the best gifts of all."
- Tinku Razoria
PICK THE SAME
Another method to reduce gift giving strain is to give the same gift to everyone.
Get something really cool.
Something super useful.
Something creative and fun.
Or something interesting.
And just apply it across the board.
Done.
You can add a note or letter to make it more personal to each person.
But allow yourself permission to not have to wrack your brain over finding a perfect custom surprise for everyone you know.
PICK BEYOND
All shiny and new. Buy three, get two.
Gadgets galore. More and more.
It's easy to loose sight of the fundamental reason and spirit of most holiday seasons. But you have the power, at any point, to just opt out.
Instead of giving gifts, think about just giving.
Giving to something you truly support and care about. Take the budget you would have spent, and give it to your favorite nonprofit, group, or just someone you know to be in need.
"Christmas is about giving from the heart more than giving from the store."
- Toni Sorenson
* * *
Holiday Self-Care Series
Holiday Self Care Series: ReThink Gifts Holiday Self Care Series: Limit Commitments Holiday Self Care Series: Explore Traditions Holiday Self Care Series: Up Your Game
Want all these tips in one neat little eBook package? Check out the online store.
