The Three Rules to Follow to Reduce Holiday Stress 🎁🌲

Source: @hairandstyles

Hey loves! It’s that time of year again! The holidays are amongst us and what a magical time of year it is, right? Well at least it should be, but they tend to be quite chaotic and stressful.

December is filled with holiday parties, gift shopping and cooking and it takes a lot of hard work and patience to make it through the holidays in one piece. But, not to fear! We have three rules you must follow to reduce that holiday stress along with a few tips to help. 

Rule #1
ADJUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS - Make Things Simple and Easy

Don’t try to make everything Pinterest worthy. Make things simple, fast and easy. Instead of making 3-D snowman cookies, make some good ol’ chocolate chip cookies. Wear an outfit you already have, don’t feel like you need to buy a whole new wardrobe. After all, you want the good times spent with family and friends the memorable thing, not your cookies and outfits.

 

Rule #2
PRIORITIZE - You Can’t Do Everything

So much to do, so little time. Don’t ware yourself out and try to go to every holiday party and/or host a party every weekend. Make priorities as to where you feel is the most important place to be. It is okay to say NO. You can always make plans after the holidays to see friends and family you are unable to see.

Rule #3
GRATITUDE IS EVERYTHING – Remember What the Holidays Are Really About

Don’t make the holidays about buying the best presents, wearing the cutest outfit or making the best desert. The holidays are about being grateful and reminding us how truly lucky we are to have such amazing family and friends.

Here are some tips and ideas to make it through the holiday madness:

GIFTS

Secret Santa
Do you have a big family and/or a big group of friends? Consider doing a Secret Santa. That will not only reduce your stress but you’ll be doing your friends and family a favor.

Thoughtful, Clutter-free Gifts We all know someone that is really hard to shop for or “has everything they want already’. Consider getting them a gift card to something they love to do. If they love going to yoga, buy them a pass to a class or a series of classes. Everyone loves a massage, facials or mani/pedi’s…a gift card for a service makes a lovely gift also.

Pass on a Gift, Go on a Date
Don’t have time to shop? Planning to meet with a friend or family member sometime during or after the holidays for some coffee or a nice dinner can be a great gift and a way to spend quality time together that is sometimes hard to make time for.

EASY RECIPES
The cooking is never ending during the holidays. Find easy and simple recipes. Slow cookers are the best this time of year. Here are some easy recipes to try out…you’re welcome!

Yummy Chicken Salad

Martha Stewart Slow Cooker Pot Roast

And for desert…slow cooker cheesecake!

Six 2-ingredient Holiday Cocktails

SIMPLE DECORATIONS
For those hostesses with the mostest…don’t stress on creating a winter wonderland. Less is more!

Playlist
Throw on a Christmas playlist, that should set the mood enough. Spotify has several great Christmas playlists….such as this one 🎶

Candles
Get some holiday candles! Bath & Body Works has a great affordable collection of holiday candles. See their whole collection here! 🕯

Plants
Find a small cute Christmas tree, their easy to find and affordable. They're the perfect touch! 🌲


and most importantly…MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF

Take lots of baths, take a day to get a facial or massage, find the time to work out or talk walks. You deserve some love too! 🛁