Managing Stress and Enjoying the Christmas Season

If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.  -Doug Larson

Well, here we are in what may be the most stressful season of the year.  Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and I know from personal experience that I used to dread the coming of the season due to the stress it somehow creates.  This stress stems from everything that happens this time of year from trying to attend all of the Christmas parties, family gatherings, shopping, and having to handle the crowds and traffic around town.  Part of the challenge involves somehow being able to actually stop and enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed and burdened.  If I didn’t think this was possible I wouldn’t be writing this blog.   

Try these strategies for handling stress during the Christmas season:

• Limit the amount of time spent with problem relatives.  If you have a relative who seems to go out of his / her way to create a scene around the family Christmas visit, then begin planning how to manage the situation.  Resolve that you will not be drawn into an argument, debate, or whatever else this person typically brings up.  Decide to be the bigger person and take the high road.  Someone has to act like a mature adult; be that person. 

• Don’t wait until December 23^rd to do all of your shopping.  I know that I said in my last blog that we do well to limit how much we spend this year, and I am standing by that.  Try streamlining your gift list, resolve to spend less on those you do buy for, and get busy.  We have less than a month to get all this done.
  

• Get creative in your gift-giving.  A couple of years ago Andrea and I decided to do something different for all of our extended family for Christmas.  We made a list of who would get a gift, and we then made everyone on the list a “goodie bag.” The goodie bag contained homemade caramel corn, chocolate covered pretzels, hot chocolate mix, and party mix (this is a combination of chex-mix, pretzels, cheese goldfish, and oyster crackers all seasoned and baked together).  Andrea and I had a wonderful time making the items and the goodie bags were a huge success.  The family raved about the treats and ate them with great relish. 
  

• Remember that this is all about giving.  The Christmas season is based the belief that God gave to us a wonderful gift in the coming of Jesus Christ into the world.  We do well to take that spirit with us wherever we go.  It’s not about me or you, but rather Christmas is about sharing with others the spirit of giving, loving, and graciousness.  Be kind, compassionate, patient, and more concerned with giving than getting gifts.  That in itself carries a tremendous reward. 

So, what are you waiting for?  Make the list and get going. 

It’s going to be a great Christmas!