A guide to planning your holidays
The holiday season is a magical time of year. It is a time to reflect with gratitude and share traditions with family and friends. Between shopping for gifts, social gatherings, and cooking, the to-do list can quickly get out of control. But with some planning, it can also become manageable. I've talked about how planning can reduce overwhelm, and this time of year is no exception. Here are a few steps you can take to have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season.
Prioritize what's important!
First, you must determine your holiday obligations, including those related to family, work, social life, etc. Write them down!
List all the events, parties, and gatherings you've been invited to or feel compelled to attend.
Prioritize which ones are significant to you and your family. It's okay to say no to things that don't align with your priorities.
Organize those plans on your calendar to avoid conflicts.
Note any tasks that need to be done for those events, such as preparing meals and purchasing gifts.
Once you've dialed in your calendar, look at your to-do list. What tasks absolutely must be completed before the holidays (e.g., sending holiday cards, decorating your home, meal planning)?
Make these your top priorities and assign deadlines. Everything else can be shifted to the "if I have time" category.
Track your tasks
Holiday preparations can feel endless, and the to-do list should be in the driver's seat, doing all the heavy lifting.
Batch tasks: Related tasks can be "batched" together. For example, dedicate one weekend to addressing and sending holiday cards. Another weekend could be for gift wrapping. Grouping your tasks into “batches” can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and ensures steady progress.
Timestamp tasks: Your time is valuable, so setting a due date or timeline for each task can help you use it wisely. Focusing on when things need to be done makes it easier than navigating the whole list.
Set a budget
The holidays can quickly become an expensive time of year between gifts, travel, and hosting. Before shopping or booking travel, create a holiday budget for all your expected expenses. It's easy to get carried away in the holiday spirit, but overspending now can lead to financial stress in the new year. Some things to consider:
Be realistic about how much you want to spend. Any guardrails are better than no guardrails.
Project your expenses for the season. Gifts, groceries, outfits, and supplies can add up.
Make a list of gifts to purchase, and identify any limitations.
Having a budget in place makes it easier to stay within it. With a list, you can look for special offers/sales, shop more brilliantly, and save money.
Enlist help!
You don't have to do it all on your own. To share the workload, enlist the help of family members, friends, co-workers, or hired help. Often, the overwhelm can hold you back from getting started.
Ask your partner to help with cooking or decorating.
Have your kids help with simple tasks like addressing envelopes.
Consider hiring a cleaning service to clean your home deep before guests arrive.
Splitting up responsibilities will make everything feel more manageable.
Practice Self-Care
The holiday season can be mentally and physically draining. Make sure to carve out time to recharge, even if it's just 30 minutes each day. Go for a quiet walk, read a book, listen to music - whatever helps you decompress. Prioritizing your well-being will ensure you have the energy to enjoy the holidays with loved ones fully.
Planning, setting priorities, and caring for yourself can transform the holiday season from stressful to serene. With a bit of forethought, you can focus on what really matters - quality time with the people you love.
