Home for the Holidays
Top Chef. Activities Director. Personal Shopper. Mediator.
Cheerleader. Table Setter. Gift Wrapper. Child Minder. Window
Dresser. Home Decorator. Just a few of the jobs we take on
to make sure the holiday season goes off without a hitch.
But should our holidays be so much work?
If last season’s family photos pictured you looking like
you could use a week in the Bahamas alone, it’s time to
incorporate some new traditions that’ll remind you what
holidays are really about: taking the time to enjoy your family.
1. Don’t leave everything to the last minute
Rushing around the mall when crowds are at their peak only adds
to the overall stress of the holidays. Try to get an early start
and tackle gift shopping with a sense of calm. As a reward for
a whole day of shopping, buy yourself a festive red scarf or a
new lipstick. Your little treat!
2. Decorate together
Decorating together is a wonderful way to warm up to the holiday
season as a family – and it saves you doing it yourself.
Dig the decorations out of the closet, invite everyone over, pour
some hot chocolate and make a night of it. A little mood music
in the background sets the stage for a memorable family moment.
3. Loosen the apron strings
It may mean sharing your kitchen, but imagine how much easier
preparing big holiday meals would be if you let others help. Unless
you’re a professional chef (even then, you might like a
break!) you just don’t have enough hands to peel, slice,
boil, roast, mash, whip and bake in one afternoon. Have each adult
prepare one portion of the family meal. Better yet, pass on your
secret recipes and let them take it away!
4. Tell family stories
Gather the little ones around and have the older kids and adults
share happy memories of holidays past. This old tradition of story-telling
helps keep family history alive while bringing us closer together.
5. Plan an outing
Too often, “home for the holidays” equals slumping
on the couch and watching TV together. This year, plan an outing
to get everyone out of the house and enjoying something new together.
See our article “Get Outside” for some great ideas.
6. Don’t force togetherness
Of course, it’s also important to recognize when family
members need some personal space. And that includes you! Take
an hour out to relax away from the hustle of the holiday schedule.
Go visit a friend or take a quiet afternoon soak in the tub. Do
not disturb!
Do you have a great idea for managing holiday stress? *Share
it with us at editor@beingbeautiful.ca
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