If you recently looked at your calendar and felt a wave of anxiety, you’re not alone. For some, the holidays resemble a time when loved ones come together, decorations glow throughout our streets, and the smell of warm baked goods fill the air. For others, it represents burnt meals, last minute shopping, long lines, and overall chaos. Let’s face it, no matter who you are, you have felt the pressures of the Holidays. And if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Christmas time can be just as fun and festive, as it can be stressful. That’s why we have come up with a few pointers to help you manage your stress, and better enjoy your holiday season.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. With so much to do in so little time, the stress of it all can make it hard to put things into perspective. We are here to remind you not to stress the minor details. Is the game your brother wanted for Christmas out of stock? Something neutral like a gift card will do. Too many parties scheduled on the same day? Don’t try and make them all, just rsvp to the most important one. If you waste less time on the little details, you will have more time to enjoy the season.

Know your limits. By this, we mean spending limits. There’s no shame in pinching your pockets if money is tight. Charging hundreds of euros on credit cards for gifts is never worth it when you have the stress of not having the means to pay it back. As oppose to trying to impress your friends and family by giving them the most expensive presents, try and give the most meaningful ones instead, such as, a home-made gift. Not only will gifts like these help you manage your monetary stresses, but they will be more appreciated, too!

Be prepared for Christmas dinner! One of the most stressful feelings of the season is realizing the night before you host that big holiday dinner at your house, that you are missing an essential part of the preparation. Do you not have the right size pan for your roasted chicken? We have all been caught in that over whelming feeling of not being prepared.  However, not to worry- we have a simple solution for this. A few nights before, lay out all the pots and pans you will need to prepare your food. With a small sticky note, label what each of the pans will be used for. This way, you can easily stay organized and spot which pans you may be missing, and if you are missing any, you can go out and get them ahead of time, instead of being stuck at a dead end the night before 20 people show up for dinner. So stay prepared, and avoid extra stress! 

Take five. Or 10. Or 15. Or 20. Or as long as you need. We know it’s the season of giving, but don’t forget to take time for yourself. If you don’t allow for time to sit back and unwind, you won’t have enough stamina to please yourself, or the ones around you. We suggest allotting a time of day to light some holiday scented candles, curl up near the fire place, and sip on a nice hot cup of tea.