The holidays are basically here (what?) and we are all in need of hacks to save your sanity through the season. The next few months are full of events, obligations, and demands, but we can get through it all by setting boundaries and expectations now!
Cater
As someone who loves to cook, this is a hard one to admit, but catering can be a lifesaver. I love so many delicious family recipes at our big holiday dinners, but sometimes it’s easier (and even less expensive) to order out. You’ll save hours on prep work and cleanup, and you can spend that time with family, friends, or doing anything other than putting together a huge meal. Outsource desserts or appetizers, and focus on main dishes, or even order something completely untraditional and unexpected for your holiday dinner.
Don’t Reinvent The Wheel
A trap I often fall into is the holiday DIY. I see so many great ideas online, and decide to try to do it myself (which is why I have a life-size chicken wire ghost hanging out in my garage). It’s in my head to make gifts, decor, treats, and so many other things, inspired by people who have way more time and talent than me. At the end of the day, don’t get bogged down by extra work. Take on only the projects that are most important and either buy or skip the rest. Your future self will thank you.
Skip Town
The best way to manage holiday expectations is to just leave town. Find a place to go, pack your bags, and hit the road. There are no rules that say you have to be accessible to people during the holiday season, unless you want to be, so head out on an adventure, if you’re feeling up to it. Bonus: no need to decorate if you’re not home!
“No” Is A Complete Sentence
You don’t have to attend every event you’re invited to. Seriously. The very best hack to save your sanity is to just decline. Choose the things that are most important to you and bow out of the rest. It’s ok to not overbook and it’s ok to need time to recharge. Don’t forget it.
Do The Things That Bring You Joy
One thing I’m learning is that I should do the holiday things that bring me joy. I personally love the entertaining and themed dinners and the decorating, but if I find myself lacking the bandwidth, that’s ok, too. My family likes the effort I put in, but they also don’t mind if our dessert matches the spooky movie we’re watching, or if the whole house is decorated for Christmas rather than just one room. Halloween is my favorite, so that’s where I’m putting my energy this year. The rest will be dependent on my mood.
What are ways you save your sanity over the holidays?
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Hooray! I’m so excited to see a holiday themed post : ) I love Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas so this is my absolute favorite time of the year. BUT, I do fall into the trap of trying to do too much. I’m usually good through November, but then I often spend the month of December in a state of stressed out chaos. I definitely have to let some things go- like you said, the dessert doesn’t have to match the movie you’re watching (well, in my mind it does but the rest of the family will never notice!) I have to remind myself not to get crazy about every little thing.
Haha! I asked A if he liked when I did stuff like themed dinners, and he said it was fine, but also fine if I didn’t. I do it because it makes me happy. We are doing Rocky Horror Picture Show this weekend, and I can’t wait for the little details of the snacks I’m making!
I can also have big ideas about making everything just perfect for Thanksgiving. Some of them come to fruition and some don’t. It’s hard to say n0 but I am getting better at it!
No is the most powerful word in our arsenal. I love doing it big, but I also love the idea of doing absolutely nothing, and just enjoying the day.
My holidays are pretty low key.
And more low key as I get older.
I still do love holidays, even if they look different or are a little more low-key. I’m a celebration girl, through and through.
Getting out of town is so key. Thats what Thanksgiving and Easter have become since COVID, and I’m not sure Thanksgiving will ever go back. Second to catering is having a waiter. Makes clean up so easy!
I am with you on Thanksgiving. We don’t get enough of an Easter break to make it worth it, but I would totally escape if we could.