10 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Grinch this Holiday Season

It’s officially the holiday season. Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are thrust into the “most wonderful time of the year.” I’ll be honest, I used to be Christmas crazy. I had the perfectly decorated house, tons of presents under the tree and the Christmas day feast to go along with it. I did it for years. It left me exhausted, stressed and feeling unappreciated. The last few years I’ve cut way back and the season is more enjoyable than ever for me! I’m a part of the celebration now, not just an exhausted “Grinchy” bystander. 

Want to avoid becoming a Grinch too? 

• Take the pressure off. Don’t feel like “decking the halls” in a way worthy of Pinterest? Then don’t. This year I’m slapping up a tree and calling it a day. No one ever helps me with Christmas decorations and frankly, if they don’t feel pressured, why should I? Why are moms elected as the ringleader of the Christmas three ring circus?

• Do something for someone else. We recently made boxes at the dealership for children from third world countries that have nothing. It filled me with the genuine holiday spirit. I’d much rather give than receive this holiday season. 

• Say “no.” Don’t feel like traveling to 4 houses? Don’t. Years ago we put the kabosh on traveling house to house Christmas morning. Want to see us? Come on over. We’d love to have you but we’re not going anywhere further than a mile radius from our house (probably for batteries). 

• Make gift giving easy. I’m a huge fan of gift cards. I’m worn out this year. I just don’t have the mental energy to painstakingly figure out what to give people that have everything anyways. 

• Don’t cook if you don’t want to. If you don’t feel like spending your holiday cooking the whole time, then don’t. Preorder food. Make a pan of lasagna a couple of days before Christmas. Or make a frozen pizza. Who cares? Does it really matter? No, it doesn’t.

• Don’t forget to have fun. Forget about the mess. Forget about the dirty dishes in the sink. Try to live in the moment. Enjoy the time with your family and friends. This time of year goes by so fast. Try to soak up every second. 

• Don’t send Christmas cards if you don’t want to. I stopped doing this a few years ago. Want to see my family? Head on over to my various social media accounts and check us out. I used to do Christmas cards out of obligation. I hated them. With modern technology I see no need for them. Wasted time, money and energy. 

• Stick to your workout routine. I know this is the craziest time of year but make sure you get your workouts in. It’ll ease your holiday anxiety. Plus, you won’t have to start fresh if you avoid giving yourself a “get out of going to the gym” pass. The New Year will be here before you know it and you’ll regret letting your workout routine slide.

• Limit Christmas activities. No, you don’t need to attend or participate in 100 different Christmas themed activities. When I was a kid, you sat on Santa’s lap, got a picture and maybe did some activities at school. Now it seems like every other day there’s something “Christmas” going on. It doesn’t seem that special when you attend all these events. It’s exhausting, the kids are miserable and in turn it makes you miserable. Instead, throw on some sweats and bake cookies with your crew or have a Christmas movie viewing party. Less is more.

• Enjoy the “holiday cheer” but don’t over do it. The holidays are for celebrating with food and drinks with our family and friends. But gaining 5-8 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year is unnecessary and will only leave your miserable on January 2nd. 

There’s no such thing as the perfect holiday

The holiday season is best when you and your family do what’s best for you. There’s no pressure to do things just because others do. Stop worrying about the “perfect” meal, gift or holiday. Perfection is overrated when it leaves you stressed, exhausted and slightly resentful. 

For the record, the happy, smiling faces, perfect present placement under the tree and the beautiful food spread you see on social media took 372 takes to get. It’s not real life. 

Enjoy the season however that looks for you and yours. No one is going to remember your perfect ham but they will remember the laughs, hugs and time spent together this holiday season.