During this time of year, I actually go back and re-read an old set of blog holiday posts—almost like reviewing journal entries (if you keep one). These are the posts that remind me to stay sane now that the holidays are coming!
It’s so easy to become completely unconscious during the holiday season…we eat too much, spend too much and experience WAY too much stress as the year closes out. We all have this image of the “perfect” scenario, and do what we can to try and fulfill it.
Sometimes all of that expectation is too much. It brings up old resentments and frustrations. That’s why I am encouraging you to go easy on yourself this season. Do less. Take a moment to be still. Make one less holiday treat, buy one fewer holiday gift and send one less holiday card. Resolve to cross something off your list without completing it—and resolve to NOT feel guilty about it.
To help you get through, here are some of my most-visited blog posts that cover stuff like how NOT to kill your relatives; how to shift from making this season about money and more about experience; and how to know if your gift-giving is about more than just gift giving.
And I am doing it super early this year, because this might be stuff you want to think about before we get too far into the holiday haze. Here they are:
If you would love to move to a less consumer-driven holiday season with your family, you might like Five Ways To Stop Giving Holiday Gifts which grew from questions that readers asked after I talked about my Anti-Gift Giving Holiday Season several years ago.
Does your family annoy you? Mine totally does, and I talk about it here…Six Steps To Avoid Getting Your Buttons Pushed During The Holidays
This season always reminds me of the “old” me, who was massively codependent…so here’s me describing some of the ways that played out during holidays: Six Clues Your Gift Giving Is Codependent
Looking for gift ideas for your child’s teacher? I love this post from Rants from Mommyland that cover what teachers really want and need, so that we can avoid the expensive, stupid and unnecessary when we’re trying to find that perfect appreciation gift. I also liked these unique and interesting gift ideas here!
And yes, I avoid gift-giving for the most part, but I can’t help but want some of these interesting and creative items (I might have to get myself a waterproof notepad!)
Oh, and do you have a kid heading to college? Register for an account with Upromise to earn cash that can get transferred to your 529 Plan. And if you register with UGift, you can get other people to contribute to the 529 Plan, in lieu of too many overindulgent gifts (is my bias showing?) :o)
And even though I’m not a dude, I enjoyed this article on Ask Men that suggests ways to enjoy the holidays in moderation.
How do you plan to enjoy the coming holiday season? Share with me on Facebook or tag me in Instagram!
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