How to enjoy a relaxing Christmas in 15 easy steps.

Christmas can be stressful.

Your to-do list has suddenly quadrupled. You’re usually spending more money than you intended.  Perhaps you are entertaining house guests, hosting a party, or travelling.  For most of us, life is simply busier and more expensive during the Christmas season.

Also, how often do you hear “It’s just for kids” or “I can’t be bothered with it all”.

And for some, the festive season is a reminder of lost or absent loved ones, feelings of loneliness, or financial difficulties and stress.

We may have dreams of an idyllic Georgian style White Christmas, burning logs on the fire and all, but the reality is probably closer to the Royle Family Christmas Special with your father in law snoring away on the couch.

There’s a lot of pressure to make Christmas “perfect”, whatever that means, and to cram it with events, shopping, and parties. But I find that some of the simplest pleasures, shared with those closest to you, can make the season bright and fill Christmas with all the joy and wonder you want at this time of year, whatever your age.

Following, are 15 ideas to help make your Christmas happy, peacefull and memorable:

1. Begin with gratitude. Before you begin handing out the gifts and tearing into them, take a moment to reflect on all of your blessings since last Christmas. Write them down. Look at all of the good you have in your life and be grateful and proud of all you have accomplished.

2. Set a budget. If you know exactly how much you are going to spend this Christmas, then shopping becomes much easier. DO NOT feel pressured by the media, advertisements, teenagers or other people to spend more than you intend.

3. Release expectations. Don’t over plan.  We are often disappointed when things don’t go “as planned” at any time of year but particularly at Christmas, so embrace the reality and wonderful randomness of life as being part of the fun.

4. Keep it simple. Part of releasing expectations is simplifying your Christmas. If you over-commit yourself with activities, shopping, and travel, you will be stressed and will miss out on the fun.

5. Spend time in nature. Spend time outside absorbing the natural beauty of this time of year. The smells, the sounds, the climate of December are all part of the joyful anticipation of Christmas.  Wrap up warm and get out there!

6. Create and sustain your own traditions. Yuletide traditions make us feel connected to one another.  They offer a sense of certainty and comfort.  We have always had a tradition of letting the children open one gift on Christmas Eve, and it’s always pyjamas to wear that night.  Another Christmas Eve tradition is to meet up as a family in our “local” for a lunchtime drink.

7. Entertain without perfection. Sometimes we avoid inviting friends over unless everything is perfect — the right meal, the house completely spotless etc. Let that go and enjoy spontaneous get-togethers to share a meal, a drink or simply some time together. Don’t miss out on real connections waiting for perfection.

8. Buy gifts mindfully. Don’t purchase a gift just for the sake of having something to give. Buy something that is truly a gift for the recipient, something that lifts them up and makes them happy.

9. Go to a carol concert. I know that not everyone is religious but religious or not these are the songs we grew up with and reconnect us with that part of our life. It’s fun, enjoy yourself.

10. Feed the birds. Get a bird feeder as a family gift before Christmas and set it up near a window. It is such a simple and beautiful pleasure to watch the variety of birds looking for a good meal; if the funny squirrels don’t get there first!

11. Create simple, healthy meals. We are faced with an array of delicious, but often fattening and unhealthy food choices at this time of year. Whenever possible, eat simple, healthy meals to keep your diet as balanced as possible. 

12. Rediscover meaning and purpose. As things begin to slow down in the days before Christmas and the week after, take some time to re-examine your own life to determine what is meaningful and important to you.  Define and uncover your passion and purpose to begin the New Year with renewed energy.

13. Write a letter. One of the most meaningful gifts you can give is a hand-written letter expressing your love and gratitude to your spouse/beloved, your parents, your children, or a treasured friend. Take time and care in expressing your feelings and it will never be forgotten.

14. Reach out to someone lonely. If you know someone alone or lonely this Christmas, then try to connect with them. Invite them over for a drink or include them in a family occasion. Christmas can be a very sad time for many people, and you can bring a ray of light into their lives.

15. Make Christmas Day last. Instead of ripping into gifts and rushing through the morning, open gifts one-at-a-time. Enjoy each person’s pleasure of giving and receiving. Light candles, put on music, and intersperse gift opening with breakfast, laughter, and connecting as a family.

What will make this the best Christmas season ever for you? I guarantee your Christmas will not be the same as mine and that is as it should be.

Whatever you’re doing have a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing and extremely merry Christmas and a very happy new year!