Five Ways to Reduce Stress and Make Celebrating a Joy

At this time of year, our minds turn to the festive season and the ceremonies, rituals and traditions that surround those occasions.  And then, if you’re like most people, your heart starts to race a little.

There are gifts to buy and wrap, special dishes to buy and make, decorations to find and put up, family to invite or negotiate with (or just endure), parties to host and attend and look gorgeous for.  And it all needs to be perfect, right?  Before you know it, the budget is stretched, the calendar is full and you’re feeling stressed and decidedly unfestive by it all.

Is that what you had in mind?  Does that fit with your goals?  Is that how you want to remember this Christmas?  No?

Right here and now is the ideal time to take out a piece of paper and write down 3 words or phrases that reflect your ideal festive season.  Now go and put that piece of paper in a prominent place, like the fridge door, for all to see.  You are making a declaration to your family, to the world, but mostly to yourself.

Now when you find yourself adding a task to your to do list, refer to that declaration and ask “Does this task I’m adding create my ideal Christmas, or detract from it?”  Here’s a hint: practicing this thinking now will give you a head start for the New Year.

The Organising Space has become known for offering practical advice and tips all year long, so why should now be any different?  Here are 5 easy ways to help reduce stress and make celebrating a joy…

1. Pre-printed return address labels save time and effort, which you can spend writing a special note to loved ones.
2. Keep a supply of shortbreads, fruit cake, a ham, condiments and salad ingredients on hand for drop-in visitors and nutritious meals on the run.
3. Shop locally for fresh ingredients and avoid the horrendous Christmas traffic at the large shopping centres.
4. Have the camera ready to capture lasting memories.  Charge a digital camera, and be sure there is enough memory (or film) for all the photos you’ll take of your happy celebrations.
5. Have fun.  Years later it won’t be the perfect table setting or elaborate meals that friends and family remember about Christmases past, but the laughs and fellowship.

It’s been a pleasure connecting with you in 2009.  All the best to you and your family.  Thank you for your support and comments through the year.  And a special thank you to Káren Wallace and The Calm Space for inviting me to be a part of this inspiring space and allowing me to share my thoughts.