1. It’s only a few weeks until Christmas and if you’re Jewish, you’re already in full swing. Don’t fight the crowds anymore- purchase your last minute gifts online. Choose things like instant gift cards (iTunes); Amazon Gift Cards, Digital Magazine Subscriptions, and more- all things you can send out this week.
You can find more last minute holiday gifts HERE
2. See it coming and have a plan:
If you know your child will have a meltdown at the holiday party, brainstorm together and come up with strategies to keep him calm, ie bring an iPod with big headphones which will also serve to block OUT noises. Have a bag of quiet activities for your daughter and find an area of the house where she can retreat.
3. Stop yourself when you feel overwhelmed and identify the problem. Is the noise level too high for you? Are you wearing uncomfortable clothes? Are you feeling angry at someone? Once you identify the stressor, take appropriate steps to solve the problem.
4. Delegate! Stop feeling like you have to do it all yourself. Find shortcuts in preparing your special meal. Perhaps just make the main course, but carry out the sides.
5. If someone offers to help, by all means, accept his or her gracious offer! Stop feeling like you have to or should do it all.
6. Remind yourself the real reason for the holiday.Whether it’s religious or enjoying the company of close friends and family, make that your focus instead of how the roast duck is coming out.
7/ Laugh at the moment. They say that if you laugh, you can’t feel panic. So try and find the humor of the moment.
Now that you’re completely calm and ready to take on the holidays, remember to take your emotional temperature throughout the day (s) and utilize the strategies above to bring yourself down to a calm state.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
