How Do you Deal with Christmas and Make the Most of It

How do you deal with Christmas and make the most of it? I know some people LOVE Christmas and others HATE it!  It doesn’t matter which one you are because no matter how you feel, it happens every year!

2020 has been a year like no other year! For many people, including myself, it has made me appreciate the personal relationships in my life more than anything else. With that in mind, let’s use Christmas 2020 to celebrate the relationships we do have and rather than focussing on what annoys us or what we don’t have,

It can be tough being single when you don’t want to be and I have some specific tips to help you out in my blog How to Get Through Christmas Being Single. I know you may have to spend more time with those tactless relatives and friends who say something that upsets you, so it helps to have ways to deal with Christmas. This blog is all about how to make the most of the day and how to deal with Christmas.

10 Tips to Deal with Christmas and Make the Most of it!

1. Keep it Simple

If you are feeling overwhelmed with all those things that you know you have to do, write a list. Put the most important things to do at the top of your list, and then work your way down, one job at a time. Instead of rushing, slow down! Believe it or not, slowing down works.

2. Christmases Past

Time to look at what has happened at Christmas in the past. Look back and learn. What worked and what didn’t? Were there situations, people, or events that affected you? What did you do? How did you react? Can you see a pattern in these past experiences? If you do then it is time to do something different or look at situations with a new focus.

3. Find Time for You

Rushing around all the time increases stress levels! I know that you have a lot to do but make sure that you also make time for you and do what gives you energy. Take time out for whatever it is that helps you release stress. If you feel triggered or you’re anxious about doing something get out for a walk in nature it will instantly make you feel better as it releases feel-good endorphins.  Finding time for yourself stops you from burning the candle at both ends.

4. Focus on Making New Memories

We have lived through a year where we have been restricted about what we can and can’t do. It has highlighted just how important our friendships, family and connections are. Maybe you took these for granted in the past? Yet now it is time to be thankful for the people in your life! This year be grateful for what you have and focus on making new and wonderful memories.

5. Honesty

You don’t have to be a superhero and do it all. It is time, to be honest about what you can and can’t do.

6. Don’t Take Things Personally

At Christmas you may catch up with family you don’t see all the time. There may be that great aunt who feels the need to point out things you don’t like. I recommend you don’t take things personally or to heart. Try not to make assumptions about what people mean as our assumptions are often wrong. Words mean different things to different people and it can be all too easy to misinterpret. Often people don’t mean what we think they do and we get upset when it wasn’t meant to hurt us.

7. Listening

Listening is a gift that will lower stress, maybe you feel like you have nothing in common with your brother, sister or brother in law. Yet be genuinely curious about them, about their lives and get to know something new about them.

8. Be helpful

Be helpful! Offering and then helping will lower everyone’s stress levels.

9. Be Kind

Be kind rather than being right! This will avoid needless arguments! Kindness really is the new black. Show your love in words this Christmas.

10. It’s One Day

This is one day that you are spending with people, keep it in perspective. I recommend that you restrict the time you have to spend with people who are draining and plan something you really want to do after Christmas. This will give you a plan to look forward to. It could be a few days away or just going to the beach to read a book.