The holiday season should be a time of joy, connection, and reflection.
However, for a lot of people, the holidays can be stressful and overwhelming,
sucking the joy right out of the season. Why not let this be the year that
you take control of the chaos? Navigate the season with these Buzzworthy
holiday stress tips to focus on being more present in order to savor the
special moments of gathering with those you love.
1 BEE Intentional with Gifts
Give a gift that doesn’t take up SPACE! Take the stress of gift buying off
your plate and keep clutter out of the house by following these holiday gift ideas:
Change the Trend: Tell your friends and family that you
don’t need another thing. Agree to NO GIFTS this year and stick to it!
Instead, create memories together by spending quality time with
activities like game nights or holiday movie marathons.
Choose Experiences Over Things: Instead of traditional
gifts, consider giving the gift of experiences. Plan a weekend getaway,
music concert outing, trip to a sporting event, spa day, or trip to your favorite restaurant. The
possibilities are endless when you really think about the person you’re
gifting to.
Give Your Time: Cooking a special meal, baking a treat,
babysitting, sharing your talent or lending a helping hand are way more
meaningful than something you could buy.
Make a Donation: Choose a cause close to their heart, and that does good in the world and donate your time, goods, or money to help them this holiday season.
Give a Gift Certificate: Most of us already have too
much stuff, so don’t add to the clutter. A gift card is convenient and
allows the recipient the freedom to choose for themselves without adding
to their physical belongings.
Give a Consumable: Gifts that can be consumed make
wonderful gifts that don’t add to the clutter or take up precious
space. Here’s some of our favorite consumable gift ideas:
Start your holiday planning early so you can approach the season with a sense of
organization and reduced stress, allowing you to fully embrace the joy and
meaning of holiday festivities. As organizing and planning experts, we
feel certain you’ll experience some of these benefits by planning ahead:
Avoid Last-Minute Stress: Create a checklist and
prioritize tasks to stay organized and prevent last-minute rushes.
Whether it’s gift shopping, decorating, or meal preparation, having a
plan in place gives you ample time to tackle each task without feeling
overwhelmed.
Declutter Now: As professional organizers, we’ve seen
the measurable impact that a freshly organized space can have. The more
you can do to remove clutter now, the better off you’ll be later. Grab a
trash bag, bin, or cardboard box, set a timer for 30 minutes, and see how
much you can quickly declutter from your main rooms so you can feel good at home. Gather up all of
the trash, broken items, etc. and toss them in the trash bag. Collect
unwanted items in the cardboard box and donate them.
Stay on Budget: The holiday season often comes with
increased expenses. Planning ahead allows you to create a budget and
make thoughtful decisions about how much you want to spend on gifts,
decorations, and other festive activities. This can help prevent
financial strain and post-holiday budget woes.
Opportunity for Thoughtful Gift Selection: Taking the
time to plan ahead allows you to choose gifts more thoughtfully. You can
consider the preferences and interests of your loved ones, resulting in
more meaningful and appreciated presents.
Time for Personalization: Planning ahead provides the
opportunity to personalize gifts or decorations. Whether it’s
customizing a present, creating handmade items, or ordering personalized
cards, having extra time allows for a more thoughtful and unique touch.
Flexibility in Scheduling: Planning ahead gives you the
flexibility to schedule holiday activities and gatherings at times that
work best for everyone involved. This can help you coordinate with family
and friends, making it easier for everyone to participate.
Reduced Pressure and Anxiety: The holiday season can be
stressful, and procrastination can intensify that pressure. Planning
ahead helps distribute tasks over time, reducing the burden and without
adding unnecessary anxiety.
More Time for Relaxation and Enjoyment: Planning ahead
ensures that you have more time to relax and enjoy the special moments
of the holiday season. You can focus on spending quality time with loved
ones rather than rushing through last-minute preparations.
3 Follow the ABC’s for Healthy Holidays
The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it’s crucial to
prioritize your health and well-being. Finding a balance between enjoying
festivities and maintaining healthy habits can lead to a more fulfilling
and sustainable holiday experience.
We sat down with our friend and expert, Catie Herst, a licensed mental
healthcare professional (LCPC, with
Monarch Family Therapy), for simple tips that support positive mental
health and will help make things less stressful during eggnog season.
Ask for & Accept help
Boundary Setting
Compromise & Control
Learn more in this video from Catie and our Bee Organized co-founders,
Lisa Foley and Kristen Christian.
Keep in mind that the holiday season is a time to cherish the company of
loved ones and celebrate the joy of giving. Set realistic expectations for
yourself knowing it is okay if everything doesn’t go perfectly. Let go of
the idea of a “perfect” holiday and embrace the imperfections. Focus on
the joy of spending time with loved ones rather than striving for
perfection. By being intentional, simplifying, planning ahead, and focusing
on what truly matters, you can create a calmer and more joyful holiday
experience.
Holiday Checklists
With the hustle and bustle of the season in full swing, we thought a few
good holiday checklists might come in handy to keep you organized and focused on
your holiday preparations.
