The holiday season is in full swing and with that comes a lot of parties, commitments and stress! Are you seeing everyone? Have you bought all the presents? Are they all wrapped? I feel like I’m eating too much holiday food! These are all thoughts that have gone through my mind and I decided that I wasn’t going to let this holiday season get away from me like they have in past years. I truly want to enjoy the season and not fuss over things that don’t matter. I wanted to share a couple of the ways that I have been keeping stress away this month!
Saying “Yes” to all the holiday movies!
Saying “Yes” to all the holiday movies!
There really isn’t much on TV except for holiday movies and I’m totally embracing all of them. From Lifetime to of course Hallmark and now with Netflix having their own holiday movies, I watch a couple a week while I’m doing things on the computer or just relaxing! Of course there are the “classics” like The Holiday, Christmas Vacation (which I watched for the first time all the way through a couple weeks ago) & Love Actually, but the one I really love watching every year is the 12 Dates of Christmas which you can find on Netflix!
Limiting Social Commitments
Limiting Social Commitments
Maybe it’s a little backwards to want to do go to less parties this month, but last year it felt like I had an event every single night of the week and I was exhausted by the time Christmas actually rolled around. I have limited myself to one event per weeknight, which may sound like a limited number, but in order to not run myself ragged, I think this is the best for me! The weekends are a different story – I’m happy to enjoy all the holiday parties during the weekend!
Wrapping a little bit each night
Wrapping a little bit each night
I actually really enjoy wrapping presents even though I am terrible gift wrapper, but I get overwhelmed after 3 or 4 presents. What G & I have done is wrapped a few presents here and there. Between Yankee swaps, gift exchanges with friends and family wrapping I definitely get overwhelmed, so it’s easier for me to try to get it done ahead of time. When all else fails, I use a gift bag with lots of tissue paper!
Getting Outside
Getting Outside
It might seem a little crazy to want to be outside when it’s super cold out, but the fresh air really does help with feeling overwhelmed. Two of my favorite times of the day are my walks to the train to and from work. Those 10-15 minutes in the crispness of the day really clear my head!
All the baking
All the baking
via
I’m not the best baker, I actually can’t really bake anything other than banana bread, but our neighbors are having a baking party this weekend and I think it’s the perfect way to enjoy December! Sweets equal the best destresser ever!
What are some ways you keep stress away during December?
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Such a great post dear! Love all the details!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
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You are so right, this time of the year is seriously stressful! I have been trying to wrap gifts as they arrive so I don't have to do it all at once. And yes to Christmas movies! I watched a few over the weekend and it was such a nice break from reality. I need to watch more haha! Happy Wednesday, Biana!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
Oh goodness, did I ever need this. Each night, Mr. Nine and I are working like crazy to put everything away at the new house and Christmas is getting neglected which stresses me out, lol! I need to stop and breath and we give ourselves a time limit each night to sit down and chill. Have a beautiful day!
I hear you about saying no and limiting your events! This week was a busy one and I chose to keep one day free after work, which has helped my mindset a lot! And baking is seriously one of my favorite destressers – I don't know what it is, but it has always helped!
I agree that this time of year can be so stressful! I'm trying to have less social engagements as well. It's usually so stressful going back to MN trying to rush around & make sure that I get to see everyone. Not this year. I've only set up 2 or 3 things & the rest will be spent at home with family.
Ok, those cookies are so cute!! I need that recipe!
Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com
These are all such great tips girl! The holidays are usually so stressful (at least for me) limiting your events is such a great idea. I always over commit and end up being so stressed about trying to get everything done. And yes to getting outside!
Yes yes YES too all of these!! I'm trying so hard to not get stressed out about holiday stuff this year. Easier said than done but at least we are trying to be intentional!!
These are such great tips! This year has been more stressful than other years in the past, so I will definitely be using some of these tactics to be present during this holiday season.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I do the wrapping thing a few at a time while watching a holiday movie. Makes it so much more manageable!
These are all great tips–especially because work gets sort of crazy for me in December! I LOVE 12 Dates of Christmas and I think the other one I really love is called Spirit of Christmas also on Netflix! I also totally agree that even though it's freezing, getting outside is a major de-stressor!
Rosy Outlook
These are so great when it gets to crunch time!
These are all great ideas! I really should try to wrap a few presents a night because I still have EVERYTHING to wrap haha! Baking is a destresser for me too! I just have to make sure not to eat it all ha!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
These are such great ideas. I have been doing a little wrapping every night, it does make it a bit easier. As much as I love the holiday season, I do find it to be incredibly stressful and I'm trying as hard as possible not to let it overwhelm me. I find staying away from all the treats does help too. Limiting my sugar intake helps alot and I also try not to over caffeinate myself
With the new puppy, I'm slacking in all things Christmas. …. But puppies. ❤ haha
Man oh man I need this advice! I let myself get so stressed this time of year and fail to really enjoy the holidays! Saying NO is one thing I especially need to work on 🙂
Good for you girl! I was SO stressed out last week I think that I drove Chris crazy haha. I made a promise to just enjoy this time of year and not worry about anything that doesn't matter. It has also been freezing here but I have made a point to get outside. That cold air definitely helps. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and I hope that you have a great day!!
Baking is so fun! I love baking during the holidays to eliminate stress.
sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
I've also carved out time to relax this year, instead of over scheduling myself. It's not worth it to me! I live out of state from friends and family so the 10 days I spend at home are whirlwind of activity. I need a vacation from my vacation! Saying no and being really intentional with my time have really helped. Also, I stopped doing gifts with friends, instead we do something together, whether it's making a gingerbread house with their kids, checking out Christmas lights, or going to the Nutcracker as a girls night…I would rather spend time with the people I love than get a gift that I could have bought myself. I DO miss wrapping though (I actually LOVE to wrap gifts and I do love to thoughtfully purchase things for people, so I still have done gifts with my family). I ended up saving myself a ton of stress and Amazoning everything this year. Hope you have a great holiday with your family!
Those gingerbread cookies look DIVINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, so adorable!! Holiday baking (and tasting!) is the best! XOXO, R
Great tips to keeping your stress level at bay. I have been a lunatic the past few days, I need to take these tips into consideration and relax.
Great post!
xx, Elise
sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
These are great tips! Getting outside/keeping up with my gym routine have been key for me. It’s easy to stay inside when it’s cold and snowy, but getting out reallt clears your head!
YES to all of this! I'm already overwhelmed with how full the calendar is, and I looked at H last night and said, "I just want to enjoy an evening at home with the Christmas lights, while wrapping presents and baking cookies". He said, "Then do it!" Ha! Cheers to enjoying and savoring every second of the season <3
Green Fashionista
Yes to all of these things!!! I have been saying yes to anything festive and fun…including all the yummies. I want to savor every moment of the holidays and try to slow down the time just a little. I haven't watched 12 Dates yet but I am going to try and squeeze that one in this weekend, it looks cute!
These are such good ideas! I love the idea of getting outside, even if it's cold. Unfortunately, the one I can't do this year is wrap each night. All our gifts are being shipped to my father-in-law's house, so it'll be a wrapping marathon on Christmas Eve 😉
Meg, Borrowed Heaven
Great tips girl! I especially like the reminder to get outside. I am utilizing my phone reminders list where I set a time to remind me to do something or bring something at the exact time I'll need to remember! I just watched Christmas Vacation for the first time too! Adding 12 Dates of Christmas to my list!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
I'm failing at all these things… but I don't feel stressed yet either – except on the work front. (LOL… false sense of security. I have NOTHING done for Christmas.) I like that you're being mindful about the season though! I think that's the best way to handle it all!
Great post! I'm definitely agreeing to the baking and watching christmas movies! I watched ''White christmas'', it's from 1954, but it gave me so much fashion inspiration and it's such a nice feel good movie!
Marije | thegfguide.com
I completely agree with all of these, Biana! Oh and you can't go wrong with hot chocolate and checking out Christmas lights!
I definitely like to get wrapping done gradually instead of all at once. I have a ton of people to buy for so wrapping 30+ gifts at once would be SO overwhelming. I love watching Christmas movies while I wrap.
Really great post, I actually love the baking part but even more so buying of all the holiday treats, cookies, cakes!
fashiontrendforward.com
Great ways to keep that holiday stress away. I've also been watching a lot of holiday movies. Keeps me in the holiday spirit!
Brooke
pumps and push-ups
I love everything on this list and relaxing for the holidays!
Very cool, dear!
♡ MARY MARÍA STYLE ♡
Little by little getting presents ready is the way I have to do it too. I did alllll bags except for the kids this year because I just can’t make it happen. Haha
Reading and getting outside help me in all seasons!
Happy 1st day of Hanukkah! I love your ideas for staying in when it's cold outside. A good book or funny movie can definitely be enjoyable and help pass the time snuggled up at home!
I know what you mean about running yourself ragged with all the social commitments! By default this year we’re not going to as many events, but limiting yourself during the week is such a good idea! And I hate wrapping Christmas gifts, but if I had to wrap gifts a little at a time it might be easier!
I say yes to all holiday-themed movies too! As a matter of fact, I already have a draft of list to watch. Will have to narrow the list further though. ha!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Okay- I am totally that girl who is saving all her wrapping until this weekend, lol. I have a huge pile of presents to blast through; so does my boyfriend. I'm thinking we put on some music, split a bottle of wine, and make a party of it? 😉
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I watched Christmas Vacation all the way through for the first time last weekend too. I had never really paid attention to the Lifetime Christmas movies, but they had one with Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez, so I had to watch it– it wasn't quite Holiday in Handcuffs, but still really cute, lol. A baking party sounds like so much fun, I can't wait to hear more about how it goes.
We have been watching alllllll the Christmas movies and they make me sooo happy!!
Love the idea of wrapping a bit each night! I've been putting it off because it's such a big job (makes sense, right?) lol
These are great tips! For me, if I have a week full of events, I may sure to say "no" to everything the next week, so I can stay balanced!
xx Leah / eatpraywearlove.com