As the holidays get into full swing, I have six tenets that should be considered to make sure this is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.
I am not an island
The holiday season anchors your year and gives you the opportunity for reflection. Who are the people and what are the events that have touched and impacted your life this year? How have these people and events changed you? What are your goals for the New Year, not platitudes that are New Year Resolutions, but real items that you want to work on. Who and what are critical in helping you accomplish your goals? How will you measure success?
Plan
In order to make your holiday season less stressful, plan, plan, plan. Make a list and check it twice, then plan a day off to do all of your shopping. Why shop on Saturday, Sunday or during the evenings, when you can have a leisurely shopping day on a Tuesday or a Wednesday? Get a friend to do the same and make a BFF day of it. You’ll get all your shopping done, avoid the crowds and get to spend some quality time with a friend.
Make a gift budget and stick to it
The joy of giving can lead to a financial hangover in the first few months of 2016. It is important to understand what you can afford to spend on gifts for those you care about. Make a list of who you intend to gift and make a budget for each person. For example, mom may be $200 but for cousin it may be a Starbucks gift card. You get the idea. My grandmother was always on the top of my list because she said, “It’s the thought that counts, but I don’t like cheap thoughts.”!
Watch your intake at company and co-worker parties
It is great to have fun with your co-workers during the holiday season but an incident can affect how your co-workers and boss view you forever. The old adage “don’t dance with a lampshade on your head” really applies. You don’t want to dread going to work on Monday because you either said something inappropriate, knocked over something, or took a pee in the plant. Moderation is the key to success at all company or co-worker holiday events.
If you are going home for the holidays
Remember that we all revert to our traditional roles. If you are the youngest in the family, you will revert to being the youngest in the family even if you may be 40 years old now. That doesn’t sound very healthy. Which is why some dread the trek home during the holiday season. One way to minimize stress is to stay at a hotel instead of the family homestead.
Sure there are those of you that have a family that the holidays are about joy and light. For the rest of you, remember to break out of your traditional role this season. Be conscious of what your traditional role is in the family and turn it on its head. If you are supposed to make the green bean casserole, call your sister and say you should make it this year, I’m making dessert. You’ll be surprised how such a small change can begin to change family traditions and the whole family dynamic positively this holiday season.
If you don’t have to drive, don’t
Many of you will think this is about drinking, which to a certain extent it is. Yes, please do not imbibe and drive. That’s table stakes during the holidays. But driving at all can just be stressful during the holidays. With the advent of Uber and Lyft, there is absolutely no reason to drive to your holiday party, pay for parking and have the hassle of getting in out of the parking garage. This is also the same for any house party you are attending. Why not let someone else’s feet do the driving while you can relax and enjoy your evening. Happy Holidays!
Follow these rules and it will absolutely be your Happy Holidays!
