Christmas is such a magical and wonderful time of the year… but this year, just like every other year, I keep hearing time and time again from women who are so completely overwhelmed and feel like they’re losing the Christmas spark.
Some are even saying they just want it all to be over and done with.
It’s such an exciting time of year, yet so many people are wishing it away.
The key link between all of these people? They’re overwhelmed. So incredibly overwhelmed.
It’s almost like each year we pile more and more on our plates to try and make this year bigger and better than the last.
But all that leads to is burnout and resentment. Are you feeling it too?
You’re not alone.
But just because you’re feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean it has to be that way. That’s why today I’m sharing 10 mistakes that are robbing your Christmas of its magic and what you can do instead to get back into that beautiful holiday spirit.
Mistake #1 – Sweating The Small Stuff
One of the quickest ways to rob yourself of Christmas cheer is to get wrapped up in all of the small things.
Yes, there’s a lot to do but don’t sweat the small stuff! It’ll all get done in the end.
This is the time of year where we should be embracing and celebrating the magic, not letting the little things bring us down.
While it might seem so incredibly important for you to have the correct colored wrapping paper (I may *ahem* have had a meltdown over this in a previous year…) or the perfect decoration set up, at the end of the day you have to ask yourself if it really matters.
If you do this, and it honestly hand on your heart is so darn incredibly important to you, then sure, go ahead and move mountains to make it happen. But if you ask yourself this question and you realize that it’s just one of those small things, let it go.
Sweating the small stuff is not worth destroying your Christmas.
Mistake #2 – Not Taking Time Out For Yourself
This is a big one. So many of us feel guilty if we’re not constantly busy or if we’re not dashing around doing everything and anything to get ready for Christmas.
But the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
In order to have the energy and enthusiasm to celebrate Christmas, you need to be taking time to care for YOU.
So yes, that might mean you have an extra-long bubble bath or go for a walk in the morning before everyone wakes up.
Whatever it means for you, take that time out for yourself so that you can come back to Christmas feeling refreshed and ready to go all day long.
Make sure you schedule it in too, just as you would any other important appointment you make. Put it in your calendar… right now… go, do it… I’ll wait.
Mistake #3 – Trying To Do It All Yourself
This is another biggie. So many of us try to take on the entire Christmas celebration by ourselves and it’s just too much.
Christmas is a time for family and friends and loved ones, not for being a lone ranger.
Delegate, delegate, delegate!
Ask your family and friends to help out with specific tasks. It doesn’t have to be everything, just something.
And if they can’t help… well, that’s what hired help is for. You can outsource just about anything to do with your Christmas planning – from meal prep to shopping for presents, wrapping presents to decorating your home. If it can be done, it can be outsourced.
Mistake #4 – Not Having A Plan
This is another one that’s easy to do but can cause all kinds of stress.
As someone who lives by planners, lists, and schedules, this is one I cannot encourage enough.
You don’t need a detailed schedule, but having some sort of outline or plan on what’s happening in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as well as what’s happening on Christmas day, will help to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Plus lists – lists are your best friends.
Don’t rely on your memory to keep track of everything. It’s well known that Christmas = Memory Mush. Make a list, and then make more lists. For gifts to buy, places to go, people to see, groceries to buy, goodies to make, traditions to do… all of it.
Make it all bullet points, make it all checklists. Whatever works for you.
And remind yourself to take time out for yourself.
(Yes, I’m going to repeat this one a lot because unless you have been living under a rock with no internet or electricity for the past year, as well as no access to any form of communication… you probably know how important it is!)
Mistake #5 – Overspending On Credit
We all want to give our loved ones the best Christmas ever, but sometimes this can lead to overspending.
Yes, it’s the season of giving but that doesn’t mean you have to go into debt in order to do it!
There are so many ways to give without spending a fortune.
Think about homemade gifts, free activities that everyone can enjoy together or simply scaling back on the gifts this year.
If you’re really struggling, have a talk with your family and see if they’d be okay with a Secret Santa gift exchange instead of everyone buying individual presents.
Overspending can quickly put a damper on the Christmas cheer, so it’s best to avoid it if at all possible.
Mistake #6 – Panic Shopping
This is such a common one. So many of us are busy with hectic schedules and it can be easy to panic shop on Christmas Eve, especially if your presents haven’t arrived yet.
Don’t do this!
It’s far better to take some time out over the next week or so to plan ahead for who you’re buying for and what you’re going to get them.
That way, you’re not scrambling around last minute trying to find something that’s both affordable and appropriate.
Plus, it’s a lot less stressful this way!
Mistake #7 – Buying Presents For Everyone
This is another big one and it can be really tough to stick to.
But the truth is, buying presents for everyone is just too expensive.
I come from a really big family, so I totally understand the pressure we put on ourselves to buy for everyone. Add to that the absolute need to make sure everyone is happy and not disappoint everyone, then you have me buying boatloads of presents just in case.
And you know what… it always leads to overspending, stressing, then feeling guilty for spending so much money.
What a horrible cycle.
A much better solution is to set a budget for yourself and only buy presents for the people close to you.
And, in case you need a contingency plan for that surprise Christmas gift exchange, you can keep some generic (but still really cool) Christmas presents on hand that anyone would love. I usually keep a few kid ones and a few adult ones that can be reused as gifts throughout the year for birthdays or other events if they’re not used at Christmas.
So there you have it! Seven mistakes to avoid this Christmas. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to enjoy a stress-free holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Mistake #8 – Getting Trapped In Trends
There are a lot of different trends to follow when it comes to Christmas. From decorating with all reds and golds, to having a black & white theme… if you have an idea for your home this festive season, go for it!
But, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you can’t keep up with the Joneses, don’t worry. You don’t have to do anything extra this year. Simply stick to your own traditions and decorate your home in a way that makes you happy.
Christmas is all about being together with your loved ones, so make sure you’re not stressing out over the little things.
And if all else fails, you can always go back to basics and decorate with a few strands of fairy lights and a Christmas wreath on your front door. 🙂
Mistake #9 – Not Getting In The Spirit Of Things
I know this time of year is busy for a lot of people, but it’s so important to take some time out to enjoy the festivities.
Whether that means watching Christmas movies, going ice skating or just drinking festive drinks with your friends, make sure you’re taking some time to relax and have some fun.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the stress of Christmas, but if you take some time to step back and enjoy the season, it’ll make everything a lot more enjoyable.
Mistake #10 – Forgetting The Reason For Christmas
This one is kind of a biggie. At the end of the day, Christmas is about celebrating love and family.
So, if you’re feeling down and you’ve lost sight of the meaning of Christmas, take some time to share the joy with others.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen, or offer to help out at your local animal shelter. You’ll feel so much better about yourself and it will be such an amazing experience.
Be sure you avoid these mistakes this Christmas so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season.
