As my husband and I fought about what exactly we were going to do on Christmas Day (whose family and when and for how long), I thought “this is not what it’s about.” I’m sure most of you can relate. I love the holidays but it can be a trying season. We’ve talked about five ways to destress during the season and now I want to talk about how to keep the joy in the season. Here are five tips to keep the joy of the holiday season alive and well.
- Don’t stop exercising. Exercise can help in so many ways during a tense season. If you are cooped up with your family, it’s a bit of time away, which can be great at defusing tension. Also, you will feel better and more like yourself after a run or a swim or a long walk. Space and fresh air can do wonders for relationships! Trust me on this one!
- Cut yourself a break. Don’t get down on yourself if everything isn’t “perfect” or just as you envisioned it. It rarely is and that’s okay.
- Share your expectations. I’ve found that sharing the expectations you have for the holidays with your loved ones can resolve a lot of issues. I have very high expectations for Christmas and expecting my husband to just know them all by osmosis wasn’t fair. Once I communicated my vision, we were able to work it out.
- But understand you might be disappointed. Keeping in mind everything I just said in tip number 3, understand that while you are cutting yourself a break, you have to give others around you a break. My perfect Christmas will probably never happen exactly as I imagine (for example, this year the dog ate her weight in Krispy Kreme doughnuts…sigh). That is okay – accepting that really gives a sense of freedom to a stressful time of year.
- Wine always helps. Just being honest here, y’all. Wine, spiked cider, whatever you fancy. Pour yourself a glass and look around at the chaos and smile. Tis the season.
I hope you all have a wonderful and joyous holiday season!
I’m linking this post up with Deb over at Deb Runs for her Wednesday Word! Go check her out!
How do you keep the joy alive this time of year?
These are great tips. Brandon and I were always stressed during the holidays with trying to figure out which family we go see on what day, and it was just too much. I realized we can’t make everyone happy, and there is no way we’re spending the holidays apart just to accommodate our families. And I’m all for keeping my runs in (helps me stay sane!) AND enjoying wine (keeps me even more sane!). Have a great Monday!!
Yes, it’s a giant tug of war and can be so stressful. The struggle is real, girl! 🙂
We keep Christmas as simple as possible, and I still find that #5 couldn’t be more true, and necessary!
Haha, it’s really never wrong!
my family doesn’t drink caffeine or alcohol let alone keep it in the house, so I find #1 and #5 essential 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Tips for Your Running Off-season
Hahahaha, truth 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with wine and exercise! 🙂
preferably exercise then wine 🙂
Really enjoyed this, Courtney. I think once I came to terms with the fact that the holidays don’t have to be perfect to be magical and memorable and special, everything changed. And I so appreciate that you mentioned that you and your husband aren’t always on the same page. The blending of families and traditions, particularly when you’re newly married can be such a challenge. As always, appreciate your thoughts 🙂
Oh yes. We were definitely not on the same page and it caused a huge fight. Once cooler heads prevailed, we were able to figure it out with a solution we were both happy with. Ah, the joy of marriage! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful holiday, Christine!
Aww, the family dilemas! I remember those from the first few years of marriage. I hope you guys are able to figure things out and create traditions that you will have for years to come!
I have cut back on my holiday things this year. I didn’t send out cards or put up all my inside decorations (yet). Between PT, Marathon training, work, and an online class I am taking, somethings just have to give! Hope you have a happy holiday!
Thanks! We came up with a solution we are both happy with 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas!
I’m totally with you on number 3 and number 5 – ha! When Jonathan and I started dating, I kept my mouth shut about what I wanted to do, my expectations for the holidays, etc., and just went along with whatever was planned; after we got married, and I’d cultivated a stronger relationship with my in-laws, I decided that I would be honest about what I wanted and my expectations. It doesn’t always work out exactly the way I might prefer (as you’ve noted!), but at least I voice my concerns and it has helped tremendously. And, if not…there’s always the wine. 🙂 Thankfully, my MIL and I share similar tastes – ha! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas week!
Thanks Tara! And THANK YOU for the sweet card and key chain. Love em both! You should be getting your holiday card (but late) soon! xx
Thank you for this! I need to do better at #2. I am so behind in everything this year and feel terrible about it. At a party this weekend, I told the hosts that they wouldn’t be a getting a Christmas card from us. When they asked why not, I was honest and said I just didn’t have time to do them. They both hugged me and said they understood! And while I’m not a big drinker, I am going to take your #5 advice and enjoy a glass or two. Have a great Christmas!
Great tips, especially # 5! 🙂 Tomorrow’s #WednesdayWord is joy. Feel free to pop over and link up.
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…‘Twas The Night Before Santa’s Race
Oh – I just may do that!! Thanks!
Ugh yes to all of this! It’s getting stressful this week (we have multiple houses to visit in Philly in a short amount of time) and I’m trying to remember that this is a happy time 🙂 Good luck with your holiday plans!
Our dogs are little, so they rarely get to steal food (although it’s still happened).
I’d love to be that relaxed hostess, but I will admit to being rather tense at Thanksgiving. Doing that Turkey Trot did help though!
The second point is spot on. Let it go. You’ll kill yourself trying to have a perfect event. And if you can’t embrace chaos, you don’t need to come to my house. LOL. Yes, a little toddy helps.
Oh yes, wine DEFINITELY helps 🙂 Merry Christmas!!