How to make the holidays magical
Vacations can sometimes seem like a long list of obligations. You have to figure out what gifts to get for whom and how much you can spend. You have to write Christmas cards / notes / emails for at least some people, once again to find out what to whom.
You have to figure out with which relatives / friends you have to entertain, spend time, tolerate, try not to argue. You have to travel at the worst possible time of the year due to the weather, traffic jams, and airport / train station chaos. You have to jam your usual chores with all the unusual chores, for example, when are you going to find all that time to go shopping? Not to mention dealing with demanding, rebellious and hyperactive children / grandchildren along the way …
Ah, the holidays! But here’s the thing: the more you come on vacation with a “gotta” “get to” approach, the more harassed and stressed you’ll be. Instead, if you take a “want” “get to” approach, things will be much better for you.
So before you jump into the rain / sleet / snow / traffic to do whatever it takes, take a moment to sit back and reflect on how you see the holidays and what they really mean to you. That is the first step.
What do you want to do in terms of gifts? There is a world of difference between “I want to buy Aunt Julia something she will really enjoy” and “I have to get Aunt Julia something decent.” What feels better?
“I want to give my 5-year-old daughter a gift that she will enjoy and I have $ 20 to spend on her gift,” instead of, “Somehow I have to manage to get my 5-year-old daughter something she will like for just a measly $ 20. “Both are true statements, but one is likely to cause you anxiety and stress, while the other will inspire positive motivation.
Second, start practicing the “want” approach with anything and everything. “I have to cook” becomes “I want to make something delicious for my family.” “I have to visit 3 family groups in one day” becomes “I want to spend a fun couple of hours with each group of my relatives.”
The more you practice the “I want” technique, the easier it becomes. Suddenly, lo and behold, the holidays become the magic they were always meant to be.