AD | Affiliate Links
Christmas will soon be here before we know it, and often it can send even the most organised person into a chaotic spin. There is just so much to think about. There’s the gifts, the Christmas feast, and all of the festivities and events in the lead-up to the big day.
As a parent, there are also extra pressures to make Christmas special and magical, and with things like Elf on the shelf and visits to see Santa, how is it possible to stay sane with so much going on? It is true, Christmas can send you in a bit of a spin. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some of the tips and tricks to stay sane during the Christmas chaos.
Ways to stay sane during the Christmas chaos
Set boundaries
One of the first things you should do would be to set some boundaries. We all have relatives that we only see around this time, and often it can be awkward with vocal exchanges and conversations. It can also be hard to not rise to comments about parenting. Everyone has an opinion, so the best thing you can do is ensure that you take the time to set some boundaries for yourself. This means not rising to it and taking deep breaths.
Plan ahead
A great tip is to ensure that you plan ahead for Christmas. There are many ways that you can do this. The first is writing lists. You can create lists for people you need to send Christmas cards to, buy gifts for, or people you need to see. You can also write lists to include all of the jobs and things you need to do in the lead up to the big day.
Last of all, you could buy a planner so that you can make a note of events you have plans for and other things you might want to do. The more you plan and work out your timings for things, the less stressed you will feel. Giving you a chance to enjoy the Christmas chaos rather than fear it.
Don’t feel pressured to say yes to everything
There is a lot of pressure to say yes to things around Christmas. Yes to people coming over with little notice, yes to events and parties, yes to commitments and using your time for things. The time now is to learn when to say no. It sometimes can feel like the hardest thing to do, but only commit yourself to the things you want to do or feel happy to do. After all, it is a time that you should be enjoying as well.
Stick to a budget
Christmas is an expensive time of year. You not only have the presents to think about but also the pressure to buy more food for the big day and the events you want to attend. So a great idea is to budget for these things so you don’t end up going into debt or spending more than you want. Set a budget for gifts, the day itself, and plan your weeks carefully so you don’t commit more than you want to spend on days or evenings out.
Lower your expectations and go with the flow
We can all be guilty of having high expectations when it comes to times of the year like Christmas. We want it to be the most magical time, the best day, for our children to have the most incredible time. But those high expectations can put extra pressure on you. Instead, lowering your expectations and going with the flow will help you to embrace Christmas more with the family. Rather than worrying that things are not good enough. This means that you will likely be pleasantly surprised by things rather than searching for disappointment and criticism.
You don’t have to do it all
Finally, you don’t have to do it all. We all want to have the best time, that goes without saying. But Christmas is a time of year to spend with family and people you love. Enjoying the festivities and the magic that is in the air. You don’t have to go to every Christmas party, every Santa experience, or commit to things like Elf on the shelf if you don’t want to. The more you focus on yourself and your family, the more you will enjoy the Christmas period. You will thank yourself for this in the long run.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to stay sane during the Christmas chaos and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.
