How to avoid Christmas stress
Christmas time can mean so many different things to so many people. It can be a time full of celebration, joy, and family. It can also be a time of busyness, stress, and chaos. While some parts of the holidays may be out of your control, there are some things you can do to avoid Christmas stress and enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.
Make lists
Take a note from old’ Saint Nick. Make a list and check it twice. Having a list of what you need to get done is a great way to stay organized and focused during the holidays. Have a master list of what you must get done, and then prioritize so that you don’t get too overwhelmed. Give yourself a few tasks a week to accomplish and feel the satisfaction of marking them complete. Here’s 8 to-do list apps we’d suggest checking out.
You can also make a list of Christmas activities that you want to do, like make a gingerbread house or to go ice skating. It’s kind of like a Christmas season bucket list!
Incorporate the whole family
Adults, parents especially, tend to be the busiest around Christmas. If you feel overwhelmed by Christmas tasks, incorporate your family into the productivity. Do you have a mountain of presents to wrap? Teach your kids how and make it a fun game. Chances are your family will enjoy time together while getting things done.
Start early
Fall might feel early to start preparing for Christmas, but by the time winter comes around, you’ll be glad you did. Start your to-do list early and do what you can ahead of time. Shopping for presents is always a good task to start earlier in the year. That way, you won’t be stressed about finding last-minute gifts.
Online shop
It can be time-consuming and stressful to go shopping through a busy retail store or mall for Christmas presents. Skip the stress by skipping the stores altogether. These days we are lucky to have the ability to shop in thousands of stores in the comfort of our homes. Try online shopping for some presents this year to avoid Christmas stress.
Ask for help
Asking for help can be difficult, but it’s even harder to do everything for Christmas by yourself. To relieve Christmas stress, ask for help and delegate tasks to willing friends, family, neighbors, and businesses. Sometimes the easiest and least stressful option is hiring someone to take care of things. Putting up Christmas lights on your home is time-consuming and risky if you are inexperienced. This year, instead of doing it yourself, ask Blitzen Lighting to install your Christmas lights. We are professional, and experienced, and can get the job done with no stress for you. See our 5 tips for hiring a professional Christmas light installer.
How to be a good delegator during Christmas time
Delegating is one of the best ways to avoid Christmas stress. Not only does it allow others to get involved in your Christmas tasks, but it makes them more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Choose the right person for the right task
Choosing who you delegate to may be one of the most important parts of delegating. If possible, try to choose the person you know can do the job well. This way, you can relax knowing that the task is taken care of.
Sometimes, the better choice is to go with a contracted professional instead of a family member or friend. Try to delegate to small businesses when possible. It gives you the chance to support your community while lessening your own Christmas stress.
You can rely on Blitzen Lighting as your go-to Christmas lighting specialist. Delegate your Christmas light installation to Blitzen Lighting and you won’t have to stress about the job getting done right.
Be clear in your instructions
The clearer, the better. When you delegate clear directions, you lessen the chance of mistakes or having to come to you with questions. If you need help with something for Christmas, think about all the information needed for someone else to do it. It’s even a good idea to write out instructions or show the person an example of how it’s done. Give the person the necessary resources and make sure they understand the desired outcome.
Give creative liberty
Christmas is a time for festivity and creativity. Most tasks allow for some creative flexibility. Whether it’s putting up decorations or choosing gifts, open your mind to the imagination of the one who’s helping you with the task. It might not be the way you would do it, but maybe that’s okay! Trust the ones that you’ve delegated to and try not to micromanage or hover. Christmas built by the hands of many is even more special.
Be generous in praise
People are more likely to enjoy working and do a better job if they feel appreciated. Share your gratitude with the people or businesses helping you. If you have any concerns or feedback, try to share it sparingly, constructively, and kindly. Give praise and give it often.
Remember what it’s all about
Christmas can come with emotional baggage for many people. Whether that’s you or not, try to remember what Christmas is all about. It’s about family, joy, generosity, and the story of Christmas. Next time you’re feeling stressed, take a step back to reflect on this. If you feel like delegating isn’t going as planned, try to turn that stress into light-heartedness
The human mind cannot feel both anxiety and gratitude at the same time. Take some time to feel grateful for what you have and those in your life who you must help make the Christmas season less stressful.
The bottom line
Christmas time is a joyful time, but it can also be stressful with so much to get done. Try some of the tactics described in this article, especially delegating, to make your holidays more relaxed. Avoid Christmas stress with Blitzen Lighting as your Christmas lighting installers. We provide a truly all-inclusive experience to all of our clients during a sometimes-stressful time of the year. Providing design, install, maintenance, removal and annual storage, we’re here to make your holidays brighter!