Did you know that 38% of people feel added stress during the holidays, and only 8% feel happier? Which one are you? Well, I’m a Gemini so it goes day to day with me, or should I say, year to year lol. Whichever you are, today’s post on BLACK FRIDAY is all about beating holiday stress, and if you’re out shopping, you’re already doing that. HA!

Everyone experiences some sort of the holiday stress. Triggered by busyness, the loss of a loved one, loneliness, heartbreak, or financial strain… the list of stressors goes on! However, I think with everyone still reeling from 2020 and the high hopes we had for this year, we’re ALL dealing with a bit of extra holiday stress. Here a few tips that might help get you more into the holiday spirit, help you take control, and beat the holiday stress!

First things first, are you stressed about buying gifts? Listen up, you do not have to buy anyone a thing. A simple, “I’m not exchanging holiday gifts this year” is enough. There’s no need to explain yourself. I’ve written about this before and it still holds true. If you do want or expect gifts from someone (possibly your significant other or friends) then have the conversation about gift exchange maximums to take some of the stress off yourself. I’ve done Secret Santa many times, and we’ve always had a limit. Be transparent.

Are you stressed about hosting over the holidays? Then don’t. Listen I know this post is funny, you are probably like …. I must. Why? Are you Santa? Everyone is still feeling the stress from this pandemic, and you do not in any way have to add any more stress to that. Consider other options like going out, or catering. Take a load off yourself, ask everyone to chip in for the catering too. Again, it’s not your job to do it all. Also, I think we can agree it’s not just hosting that is stressful, it’s the preparation. You have to clean, grocery shop, clean up after… No thank you, I will forever utilizing Capital Grille for catering my holidays.

I found this little questionnaire online and I thought it was very accurate. What do you think? Leave a comment on Insta at @AskHeatherMariannaBlog.

The most stressful ways to celebrate the holidays
1. Hosting a party or dinner: 51%
2. Friends or family staying with me: 45%
3. Traveling to see family or friends: 45%
4. Going out to dinner with family or friends: 29%
5. Taking a vacation: 24%

The most stressful parts of hosting for the holidays
1. Cleaning their home before a hosted dinner: 41%
2. Having enough time to get everything ready: 38%
3. Preparing holiday meals: 36%
4. Cleaning my home after a hosted dinner: 34%
5. Preparing their home for houseguests: 34%

Most stressful parts of traveling for the holidays
1. Keeping costs down while traveling: 41%
2. Bringing gifts and packing everything: 29%
3. Purchasing gifts for family and friends: 28%
4. Cost of eating out: 25%
5. Finding hotels/lodging: 22%

How respondents relieve stress
1. Home cleaner: 28%
2. Caterer or private chef: 16%
3. Home organization: 14%
4. Holiday decorator: 12%
5. Home services professional, other than house cleaner: 10%

The bottom line is Christmas, or whichever holiday you celebrate, comes with high expectations of perfect, happy families enjoying luxurious celebrations and gifts, but not all of us are able to live up to these pressures. Instagram, and social media in general, don’t help these high expectations at all either. Listen, not all of us can keep up with the Kardashians, and not all of us have happy families either. The best thing you can do to relieve your extra holiday stress is to evaluate your stressors, and just do what you want, and what you can. If you are feeling that something is stressing you out, then make your own executive decision as the CEO of your own life and simply do what makes you happy.

Some of my friends I know skip ALL THE FAMILY DRAMA and go volunteer, and they feel so rewarded. Some of my friends do the whole hosting shebang and complain about it for month after, some go on vacation, and some listen to their tone-deaf cousins sing Christmas carols year after year. Whatever you want to do….Do That!

XOXO,
Heather