Avoiding stress during the holidays can be difficult, if not impossible. If you are like me, you probably have a lot on your plate, and this time of year more gets added. You may feel the pressure of wanting to keep up with traditions and making the season memorable. Here a a few tips that can help with stress at Christmas:

1. Set a budget for Christmas. In our budget we have set aside money to buy Christmas presents, because as Dave Ramsey says: Christmas doesn’t sneak up on you, it’s Dec 25th every year. When we find a great gift for a family member we can buy it in March if we so choose. You just have to remember where you have hidden it when Christmas rolls around, because-speaking from experience-it is easy to forget.
2. Don’t worry about buying the perfect gift. Finding the perfect gift for someone isn’t always easy. Again a Christmas fund works great, so you can purchase a gift you see for someone at any time during the year, if it is in your budget. Another idea would be to do something for someone that is their Love Language. Some years I give my husband a small gift the 12 days leading up to Christmas. One of the days is always a list of what I am thankful for about him, because he feels loved by being given words of encouragement. To get you started, have you and your loved ones take the Love Language quiz.
3. Don’t overbook your calendar. It is easy to fill up our calendars with lots of activities this time of year. It may mean saying no to things that sound like fun. Consciously keep things to a minimum and schedule downtime for yourself to recuperate. Set aside family time and play a game or watch a Christmas movie. Maybe you need a relaxing bath after the kids are in bed or head to a coffee shop and read a book for an hour.
4. Keep things simple. Saying that is easy, actually putting it into practice can be hard. You have to be intentional about simplifying your life. Decorations don’t have to be extravagant. Resist the temptation to compare your house to someone else’s. Be yourself and do what makes you happy.
5. Spend time with your family. Do something fun together. Go look at Christmas lights: dress in comfy pjs, bring hot chocolate and some idea of where your are going (to avoid frustration). Your local newspaper usually lists houses that are worth taking the time to see or look on line for a listing.
6. Focus on others. Volunteer as a family at a local non-profit. It’s not about us – show God’s love to others. He gave his Son for us to be our Savior, if we accept that gift. That is why I celebrate Christmas.