The Christmas season is often described as being two things: merry and stressful. It seems odd that the season that is considered by many to be the happiest time of the year is also known as being the most stressful time of the year. Too often, the focus is placed on doing everything, buying everything and seeing everything, all within a frantic 25 days. This year, if the goal is to have a miserable, stressful holiday season follow the simple steps below.
1. Wait until the last minute to finish shopping. Yes, Christmas always falls on December 25th of each year. Yes, it is standard procedure to purchase presents for family and friends every year at this time. Who cares? Why do something today that can put off until the last minute? Nothing says holiday cheer like fighting the crowd at the mall and having to purchase desperation gifts for loved ones because the quality merchandise is already gone.
2. Take part in EVERY holiday activity What good is one meal with Santa when the family can dine with him repeatedly at various locations around town? Who needs to put their children down for a nap in the afternoon when there are crafts to be made, trains to ride and ice sculptures to look at? Be sure to run the family all over town, exhausting everyone, and the Christmas spirit will successfully be killed.
3. Obsess over holiday home decor. Panic every time children walk past the Christmas tree. Be sure to place the antique snow globe directly in the toddlers's line of sight and then sigh loudly whenever her chubby fingers reach out for it. Do not allow little ones to decorate the tree, citing that they have no experience with such tasks. Rather take on the project of trimming the tree and the home by oneself, taking every opportunity to complain about how no one else is helping.
4. Begin the task of sending out Christmas cards on Christmas Eve. Wait until the week of Christmas to find coordinating family outfits, schedule a photo shoot and stuff and address Christmas cards. Be sure to tell everyone about the stress of getting such a "requirement" accomplished on time. Enhance this stressor by also waiting to mail packages to out-of-state relatives. Be sure to become frustrated with the long lines at the post office and the high costs of last-minute shipping.
5. Focus only on the tasks of the season, rather than the reason for the season. Become terribly busy buying presents, baking goodies, cleaning house and finding the perfect Christmas sweater. Doing so will make sure that one completely loses sight of the meaning of the holiday season.
This holiday season, plan time to relax. Acknowledge that children are just as happy sitting at home coloring a picture of Santa with an attentive parent as they are meeting him for the fifth time this season. Plan ahead, outlining and prioritizing the tasks that need to be accomplished. Instead of rushing around, half-crazed and obsessing over creating the perfect Christmas, set aside time to sit and enjoy the moment of the holidays with loved ones.
This holiday season, take a breathier from the business that surrounds you. Focus on what the holiday season means for your family and find ways to truly be merry and bright.
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