Bringing The Fun Back Into Your Holidays Without Overspending
If you love the holiday season, you’re not alone. Most people love the cheer that comes with having your family together, enjoying big meals and catching up with one another. The problem is, the holidays can be a stressful time for many people. If you are a person trying to make everything just right this holiday season, it’s time to take a step back a prioritize. While those fancy cookies that you found on Pinterest would be perfect, there are other ways to show your family how much you love them. To enjoy the holidays this year, it’s time to take a look at how you can reduce your stress levels.
Ask For Help With Holiday Meals
When you have a large group coming over to celebrate a holiday, and you are in charge of the meal, ask for help. Have a list of dishes, appetizers, or desserts you would like nearby, and if someone asks what they can bring, tell them something specific. Not only will you decrease your overall costs of the big meal, but you also won’t have the pressure of trying to cook everything at once. Let people help you. It’s not a sign that you’re a bad host; it’s a sign that you are sensible.
Consider a Holiday Gift Exchange
While you may enjoy holiday shopping for your spouse or children, nieces or nephews, it’s unlikely that you love shopping for mom and dad. Most likely your parents can buy anything they want throughout the year, and a gift is simply a token that costs you money. To keep your holiday costs and your shopping stress levels down, suggest a holiday gift exchange. Each person spends a set amount of money on one gift. Each person then gets one gift from the exchange. While it isn’t very personal, it can take the stress out of the holiday season.
Keep it Simple
Your house does not need to be covered in thousands of lights to show your holiday spirit. A nice wreath, a few sets of lights, and you can be ready for the holidays. If you are on a budget, don’t worry about lighting up the night with your holiday display. If you have children, go out for rides in your neighborhood and enjoy the displays others have created instead. When you don’t hang up thousands of lights, you don’t have to take them down in the spring, either.
Focus on What Matters to You
If spending time with your loved ones matters the most to you, focus on making that time special. Consider staying away from topics that cause tension. Be prepared with cards and board games to keep people occupied. If necessary, remind everyone that you want to enjoy each other during the holidays and not argue about differences of opinion. When you can make your intentions clear, others are likely to follow your lead.
When you want to have a fun holiday season, focus on spending less and enjoying the time you have with your loved ones. Keep it simple. Go for a walk. Don’t worry about the number of presents under the tree, because it isn’t what matters.