Every year, stores set out their holiday stuff earlier and earlier, and streaming networks offer holiday movies mid-summer.
The months-long holiday hype builds excitement, but it can also set up unrealistic expectations and ideals of everything we should be doing. Sometimes, others place those expectations on us. Other times, we place them on ourselves.
But there are ways to calm the chaos. Whether it’s putting a limit on gift buying, scaling back on decorations, or feeling free to respectfully decline holiday invitations, it is possible to celebrate without drowning in the effort to not only do it all but make it all perfect.
Know Your Limits
One of the most important steps in creating a pleasant, joyful holiday experience is to understand your limits. If extended family assumes you’ll host Thanksgiving for the fourth year in a row, it’s okay to say you can’t this year. Or say yes, but delegate the entire menu instead of just telling everyone to bring dessert or dinner rolls.
Here are some other boundaries you may consider:
- Are you an introvert? Decide how many holiday events you’ll attend. Hold onto those invitations until several come in, then accept only the ones that will bring you joy. For the others, make a personal phone call, thank the person for the invite, and explain that you won’t make it. That provides a way to connect without overwhelming yourself.
- Do certain people trigger your mental health? Skip the events they’ll be at or attend for a short time only. If you’re forced together, limit your interaction.
- Do you tend to go overboard with gift-buying? Many people start buying months in advance, and they forget how much they’ve bought until it’s time to wrap presents. Decide how many gifts you’ll buy each person and how much you’ll spend. Keep track in a holiday notebook or calendar.
- Do certain events, movies, or decorations make you sad? Just say no. You don’t owe anyone an explanation unless you want to give one. Decorations can be donated to those who can’t afford them. Tickets can be shared with others.
- Find a support person. Let them know your limits ahead of time and ask them to intervene when needed.
Prioritize Your Mental Health
Do twinkling lights and lots of red-and-green pillows make you giddy? Embrace them. But if too much bling overwhelms you, consider a softer approach. Use soft, snowy white blankets and décor in colors that bring you peace. Take a less-is-more approach, with a few simple reminders of the season.
- Take time to reflect on things you’re grateful for from the past year. The simple act of being grateful urges your mind to positive things, leaving you with a sense of contentment.
- Volunteer. Check with your local place of worship or community center to find opportunities. When we help others, we also help ourselves by generating feel-good hormones and endorphins.
- Experiment with one or two whole-foods-based recipes, and give yourself options other than the typical high-sugar, low nutrient-dense treats.
- Before parties or events, eat a snack of fruit or vegetables so you’re not tempted to graze.
- Make exercise a priority. Even a short walk each day helps keep you calm and at your best.
Remember, the real purpose of the holidays is to remind us of all we have to be grateful for. It’s easy to place the focus on creating an over-the-top experience, and those kinds of expectations can leave us feeling disappointed and stressed out. By protecting your peace and guarding your mental health, you’re better able to love those around you—as well as yourself. 
©2023 Amplified Life Network
