Simple Holiday Gatherings
How to lessen the stress this year
For many, the holidays signify a time for family and friends to come together and share laughs and memories, and stuff their faces full of turkey and mashed potatoes. Gone are the worries of everyday life, and we are transported into an idealistic world of twinkling lights, aromatic candles and stockings hung by the chimney with care.
For others, however, this time of year is a source of stress and distress. Nagging in-laws, countless family get-togethers and your crazy drunk uncle who insists upon giving you high-fives all night combine into a maelstrom of headaches and ulcers that only come at that special time of year. This article is for those people. If you are planning a holiday gathering this year and are already stocking up on antacids, follow these tips to ensure that you will find joy this holiday season.
Be organized
The key to any successful holiday gathering is organization. By taking the time to plan ahead, you will be able to foresee potential problems before they arise, and make any necessary changes accordingly. This can be done in a variety of ways: obsessive list-making works for some, whereas others simply allow themselves plenty of time to pull everything together. Whatever your poison, getting organized and staying that way will make your holidays a lot smoother and much less stressful. Who knows? You may actually enjoy yourself this year. That is kind of the point, isn’t it?
Be thoughtful
Even when you feel as if you are expected to single-handedly pull together a holiday event while maintaining your already hectic schedule and playing referee between bickering family members, try to remember that this is a stressful time of year for everyone, not just you. By trying to take others’ feelings into consideration, you may find that it’s easier to not sweat the small stuff (and most of it is small stuff). As you develop your plans, be sure to stay in communication with everyone to make sure that you are all on the same page: exchange emails, arrange a conference call, or do whatever it takes to make sure that everyone knows what they need to know to make this year’s gathering easy and simple. Everyone will thank you for it.
Be proactive
Rather than waiting until the last minute to put your decorations up or clean your home, start as soon as you know that you will be hosting the party this year. While it’s true that nothing says the holidays like sleepless nights and endless days, make this year different and reap the benefits. If you have children, enlist their help with decorating. If this means a lopsided tree or yards of construction paper chains, so be it. They will have fun memories, and you will be able to relax and focus on more important things, like making the perfect turkey and getting holiday cards in the mail on time.
Be creative
Of all the times of year when it’s okay to think outside of the box, this is it. Never feel pressured to replicate a party of bygone years, and don’t worry about whether your party will measure up to your cousin’s. Use your creativity and ingenuity to create an experience that mirrors your personality, and any traditions that you and your family already have. Additionally, if there is a tradition that you have wanted to implement, go for it. The holidays are a time for families, and by personalizing your celebration, you will know that everyone is enjoying themselves. This, in turn, will ensure that next year’s festivities can build from the momentum that you set this year.
Be smart
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one in ten fatal vehicle accidents occurred on a holiday. This is due to driving too fast or too slow, driving drowsy or distracted, and –– of course –– alcohol. Prior to hitting the open road, be sure that you are well-rested, and that you have given yourself enough time to get to where you’re going. Pack a safety kit with a flashlight, blanket(s), flares, necessary tools, and first aid items. Also be sure that your cell phone is fully charged, in case of an emergency, and keep a car charger close-at-hand. Finally –– and this can’t be stressed enough –– never drive while under the influence. The holidays are a great time to share a glass of wine or spiced rum, but always be aware of your limitations. There is no joy in a car accident!
By taking a little extra time to make your holiday gathering enjoyable, you can be assured that you will no longer dread the impending holiday season. In fact, you may enjoy yourself so much that you volunteer to host next year’s party in a fit of holiday cheer. So why not set the standard this year by creating a happy, memorable holiday gathering that will go down in the record books?
Sarah J. Wilson enjoys writing poetry and creative nonfiction. She used to dread the holidays, but her two delightful children brought joy back to the holiday season. She loves to spend time with family and friends, relaxing and laughing as much as possible.
