How to Make the Holidays Less Stressful
Ah, the holiday season…One minute you’re polishing off your favorite slice of pecan pie, and the next minute you’re frantically curling ribbons and wrapping holiday gifts. If you haven’t already noticed by now, I’m a list maker and plan maker (but sadly not a candle stick maker). Here are some of my favorite ways to make the most wonderful time of the year, the most wonderful time of the year:
1. Ask friends and family for a wishlist. Instead of running around as blind as a bat searching for the perfect gift for your sister, why not just ask sister what she wants. Your friends and family can be as specific as “blue socks from Falke,” or as general as “more, socks, please!” And always remember to include the gift receipt in your gift to prevent any awkwardness. As a staunch pragmatist, I love this system because it saves all parties so much time, money and energy. If you still want to keep the whole gift-giving thing full of surprises, you can tack on your own personalized gift. And if the mere thought of shopping in stores or online is overwhelming, consider giving experiences instead of items. Why not give your art-obsessed aunt a museum membership instead of a zany scarf, or your baking-obsessed cousin a cooking class instead of a cookbook.
2. Stock up on ribbons, boxes and wrapping paper. Make it a habit to hold onto cute ribbons and sturdy cardboard gift boxes throughout the year. That random empty Gucci shoebox can be put to use here. Tuck all those chic little ribbons in it and save them for the rainy day that is the holidays. As for wrapping paper, I always like to buy more than I think I’ll need for birthdays so I have enough around the holidays. Pre-planning much? Sure, yes, fine. But once you make this a habit you won’t think twice about it, and it’s weirdly satisfying placing ribbons in the box every time (just try it!).
3. Pack in advance. You don’t have to pack your holiday dress and shoes in your suitcase in October, but it’s nice to have the little things accounted for ahead of time. I like to keep an empty laundry bag and iPhone charger tucked away in my suitcase at all times. I also keep a little (okay, not so little) dopp kit locked, stocked, and ready to go. Keep yours full of travel-sized skincare/haircare products and all the stuff in-between. All you have to do is chuck it in your suitcase and go.
4. Just say NO! Not a fan of bowling with the in-laws? Don’t do it! Would you rather eat Tofurky than play a late night game of charades? Then say nope. Give yourself permission to politely decline the activities that wear you out or stress you out. Saying a delightful ‘no’ to these activities is saying YES to yourself! You’ll be a lot less of a curmudgeon when you’re only participating in the activities that don’t drain your energy. If you have a hard time saying ‘no’ in the moment, have a canned line ready to go. “Thank you for inviting me, but I’m going to stay back and help out here.” Who knows what helping out might entail? If you get a thrill out of organizing your family’s pantry (just me?), do that. Or don’t. Do you.
5. Accept the momentary chaos. If you’re hosting family and friends for the holidays and you like your space freakishly tidy, accept that not everyone else will subscribe to your level of neat. There’s no sense in running around organizing little piles of nothing when you’re hosting guests (or am I just talking to myself here?). At the very least, if you’d like guests to take their shoes off at the door, be as direct as possible by saying, “Come on in! You can leave your shoes right by the door.” Leave coasters on the table for drinks. Stuff like that. And if you declutter and organize high traffic areas like entryways and guest rooms in advance, you’ll spend less time searching for extra bath towels and shampoo and more time enjoying yourself.
6. Don’t blowtorch your food. By this I mean, if you’re hosting friends and family for a holiday shindig/dinner party, now’s not the time to prepare paella and Beef Wellington followed by a Baked Alaska. Don’t reinvent the culinary wheel! Stick to your standbys and what you make best. Throw out some olives and cheese and then whip up something simple like a quiche. When you’re happy and relaxed, your guests are happy and relaxed.