8 Ways to Reduce Stress with 8 Day of Christmas Left!

Christmas Reality Check

Maybe you are one of those people who love everything Christmas and wake up each day excited to do whatever is on your Advent-like holiday To-Do list. Day 4-bake cookies..... Day 5-address Christmas Cards..... Day 6-Stamp and mail cards..... Day 7-Cookie Exchange.....  Day 8-Wrap gifts.... Day 9-Sing carols in convalescent homes.....

If so, this post is NOT for you.

For the rest of the world who starts off with the best of intentions but finds themselves on Dec 17 buried under the guilt of what you WANTED to do but HAVEN’T done yet, I’m here to set you free!!!

Ask yourself, “What is the most important thing about Christmas?”

For some it’s family, others it’s giving, or it’s about the birth of a savior. Then as you look at all you have on your To-do list, what supports your mission for Christmas and what is just extra? Take off anything extra and don't look back!

We try to cram so much into this month and it’s very unreasonable.  You can’t do it all.  I’ve seen women who LOOK like they can but usually there is some crack in the facade even if we can’t see it. Does getting everything on your to-do list done leave you too tired or stressed out to spend time just BEING with your family?  What will your children remember about this time of year?  A mom doing less but at peace with what’s going on or a stressed out mom trying to make everything just right?

So, with 8 days left until the big day here are 8 ideas to take away stress:

1. Christmas cards are NOT a requirement (or you can send them after the New Year when people will actually have the time to read them)
2. Cookies (candy, breads, etc.) do NOT have to be made-there’s enough sugar around right now, who needs more?
3. Cancel going to a party or three!-they WILL go on without you
4. Can’t find the “perfect” gift?-get gift cards instead (you don’t have to go to the actual store, get them from the grocery store kiosk)
5. Things don’t have to be homemade (yes, that means YOU, YOU know who you are!) Let it go!
6. Don’t compare yourself to Pinterest!!!
7. Say yes to help. Switch babysitting with a friend so you can each have time alone to get things done, get gift wrap done at the store, pay extra for assembly.
8. But mostly remember there is no such thing as a “Perfect” Christmas.  When your expectations are unrealistic, you will get stressed out!  Give yourself permission to be imperfect! 

What will you do to let go of stress this Christmas?

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