You may love to hate me, but I am one of those that does not get stressed out during this time of the year. If I don’t feel like doing something, it won’t get done, and it won’t happen.
I am one of those that does not begin my shopping until Black Friday, and I am one of those that will not go out on Black Friday either, unless later in the afternoon, and it’s usually to Target or Kohls or even the grocery store. I won’t overdo it.
I am also the type that does the majority of my shopping online. I am the one that does not believe in gift cards either, unless it’s in good reason. For example, a few years ago my brothers and sisters were big into their ipods so itunes gift cards seemed like the ideal gift, or now that the kindle’s and nook’s have come out, a gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble truly makes sense to me.
However, for everything else, I do put the thought into it. I think about conversations I’ve had in the past year with said people I’m gifting for, and think of something they would enjoy, and go from there. I know, by this time, what it is they enjoy, and what it is they eat. I am not afraid to give food for gifts, or something useful that they may have not thought of.
The other thing for me is that I won’t break the bank either. I learned my lesson from when I was younger. I now know that you need to spend within your means, and that includes not breaking out the credit cards. I refuse to do it.
I am the one that enjoys this time of the year, and instead of stressing over it, I will sit back and concentrate on the parts I truly enjoy about this time of year.
If I don’t have the time to bake, I won’t do it, or perhaps if someone else is offering to do a baking day, I’ll team up with them so the day is a lot more fun, and there’s more goodies to share (did I mention I love cookie exchanges?)
If I’m going out of town for the holidays, is there a reason to put out the decorations? Instead, I’ll save it for a year I can be home and enjoy it. I’m not a scrooge, it’s just being productive and resourceful with the time I do have.
The thing is, I don’t stress. I just enjoy. If I get invited to a party, and I know I’m overbooked, I will politely turn the invitation down, but also keep in mind for next year if the same invitation comes along to make sure I attend then.
Each weekend of December I designate it something. The first weekend after Thanksgiving is dedicated to Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, and also putting up the decorations if I am home for that year.
The second weekend in December is dedicated to going out to the stores and grabbing any last minute gifts I didn’t find the weekend before, and also designated for baking.
And the third weekend of December is dedicated to going out on the town and looking at Christmas Lights, or going ice skating, or something related to the season.
By dividing the weekends up, and by making sure I stay organized, I allow myself to not be stressed, and then I can honestly sit back and enjoy the month ahead.
This year, my Christmas wrapping won’t be done until I arrive home on Christmas EVE, but still, even then, I won’t be stressed about it, I’ll just do it. BTW: if you buy your gifts at stores, opt for the stores that do the wrapping for you! It’s a life saver =)
And if there’s any grocery shopping or wrapping needed to be done from items I bought online, I will spend the evenings working on these things. If you’re a parent, in the bedroom after the kids go to bed 😉
That is how I survive the holidays, and also how I live a stress free holiday.
