Slowing Down to Enjoy Christmas -

Inside: The Christmas season doesn’t have to be crazy. Here are my six tips for slowing down to enjoy Christmas–without sacrificing joy.

I often write about living the simple life, but when it comes to making Christmas plans, I’m like a hungry woman on a run to the grocery store. Before heading inside, I’ve convinced myself that I’ll just pick up a basket to fill, but once I clear the doors and look around, my resolve skitters off, hiding behind the jumbo tins of flavored popcorn. I’m grabbing one of the big carts. Suddenly, my inclination is to load it up with seasonal activities until I can hardly push it. Several large cans of shopping and lunch with family. A few bags each of festivals, church plays, and recitals. A couple of cartons of craft shows and fashioning my own ornaments. A ten-pound sack of cooking, baking, and making. A couple of cans of parties tucked in around the sides, plus filling out the top with movies, decorating, and TV specials. And, if I balance my cart just right, I might squeeze in that DIY wreath project from Pinterest. . .

My December calendar can quickly go from calm to chaotic, spinning out of control. But here’s the reality—I don’t have time for everything I want to do. Not even close. And even if I did, the result wouldn’t be pretty. I’d find myself overwhelmed, frustrated, and frazzled, complaining and enjoying very little of the season. What I’ve learned about myself is that I need my downtime.

So how do I balance what I’d like to do, what I have to do, and what I can reasonably do with the time and energy available? I use the following tips.

Make a list of what’s most important. What do I want to do? What brings me and my family the most joy? Which traditions, events, foods, and activities would I like to include? Who do I want to spend my time with? These questions help me prioritize.

Of those parties and gift exchanges that didn’t make the main list, I decide which ones are obligations and which ones I can politely decline.

Embrace convenience. I buy frozen meals or make large batches of a family favorite for busy days when I have little time to cook. I’ve also been known to purchase the pre-made break-apart cookie dough when I need to bring something to a gathering. While I appreciate the time and effort it takes to make something from scratch—I do this often myself—I’m also equally delighted with those savvy shoppers who have a knack for finding just the right festive foods to bring to a party.

Do tasks incrementally. Often I’ll keep the wrapping paper, tape, and bows handy to wrap a few gifts at a time. I extend my baking over several days. Pickles and jams were made back in the summer, so they only need to be packaged for gift baskets. Breaking tasks into smaller parts helps me get the job done little by little.

Practice wellness. In the busyness of the season, it’s easy to let go of those daily good habits. To remind myself, I’ve come up with an acronym: REV—rest, eat healthy, vitamins. If I want to keep up with the extra activities I have planned, plus maintain a good attitude, I need to get enough sleep, make healthy food choices (mostly), and take my supplements. I’m also mindful to get plenty of water and some exercise. Being on the go this time of year usually takes care of the latter. If I feel the start of a sore throat or sniffles, I’ve got a tube of Airborne handy to keep me from getting sick.

Keep up the daily routine. Morning coffee with my devotional and checking my email. Reading. Unwinding in front of the television before bed—these are a part of my everyday life. They help me relax and stay sane, which goes a long way in keeping my stress level in check. My routine balances out the hectic times.

Remember the reason for the season. Spending time with the people I love and care about, giving to those less fortunate, and, most of all, celebrating Jesus’ birth—these give my life meaning and put the “why” in the choices I make every December.

While I’m still tempted to load up my cart with the annual Christmas “goodies” of celebrations, crafts, parties, food, and fun, being mindful of what truly matters and prioritizing accordingly results in a less stressful more joyful Christmas, not only for me but for those I love the most.

How do you manage seasonal stress? Tell us about it in the comments.

A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2017

The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 1: Return of the Hillbilly Christmas Wreath

Finding my Pace: Slowing Down to Enjoy Life

Posts from a year ago:

The Story of the Hillbilly Christmas Wreath