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by Nelia Dingcong Bernabe
December 18, 2010
The clock is definitely ticking for I can see Christmas from my kitchen window. A few more days and the bearded man in the red and white suit will rack up major mileage on his sleigh delivering presents to every good girl and boy. But we know that beyond this bourgeois mindset – far more important than the red and white suit, gifts, and glitter – is the essence of why the Christian world celebrates this very special season.
First, we give in to its worldly trappings and the stress that comes with it. Every year we write ourselves a note boldly proclaiming next year’s strategy: start early when it comes to buying gifts for our loved ones. We promise ourselves that next year would be a lot better. Who are we kidding?
Imagine me raising my hand and like many, I stand in that line where folks refused to succumb to the pressure. With Christmas being less than two weeks away, I have yet to start scratching off from my list. I have not done diddly-squat! Procrastination? Maybe. Or maybe not. Maybe I decided to take a step back this year and refused to get suck into the pressure of gift buying or this whole frenzied and feverish way we conduct our business at this time of the year.
A few days ago, this one-page circular got passed around at work. The headline caught my eye – 25 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress. I eyeballed it with lukewarm interest. However when my friend asked me if I wanted a copy, I didn’t think twice about it. Of course I wanted a copy. This way when it gets down to somebody holding a gun to my head, when it’s less than a week left before Christmas and I still haven’t done anything, I can refer to it and know what I needed to do.
Bear with me as we take a look at the list provided by Workplace Solutions. My fervent wish is for those who are feeling the pinch and the holiday stress to take a look at this and feel better. Here are some of the things that might help.
• Set realistic expectations. Things will never go as planned.
• Get moving. Get past the anticipation of the events – the chores, the shopping, or Uncle Stan’s visit – by creating a to-do list and tackle one or two items ahead of time.
• Avoid the shotgun approach. Tackle one thing at a time and give it your full attention.
• Budget your holiday expenses. Set a limit for every person on your list and stick to it. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the money you will spend on travel, decorations, food and entertainment.
• Pay as you go. Using your credit card may delay paying the bill but you know that it won’t be long before you start seeing it and that adds to your stress level.
• Play to your strengths. Utilize what you have the most of – time, money or creativity.
• Pare down on gift giving. Draw names instead of buying everyone from your extended family and social groups a gift.
• Cut your costs. Give inexpensive but thoughtful gifts such as home-baked goods or photo albums.
• Don’t lose the meaning. Find ways to reconnect with what makes the holiday special and important to you.
• Participate in reaffirming activities. Spend time at church or do volunteer work.
• Take some time off. Don’t cram all errands and shopping trips into the precious little time you have outside of work hours. Avoiding the weekend crowds will allow you to get more done.
• Do a solo power-shopping event. Turbo-charge your efficiency by avoiding distractions and competing agendas.
• Take advantage of the Internet. Most sites offer free shipping during the holidays.
• Ask for help. If you’re playing host, assign chores and duties to your spouse and children.
• Cheer loves company. Combine household holiday prep with socializing. Ask some of your friends for a baking and gift wrapping party.
• Lighten your cooking duties. It’s perfectly acceptable to cook a main course and ask dinner guests to bring a side.
• Get on the same page with family. Agree on which activities are most important, then cut out the extras that add work and scheduling pressure.
• Recruit a child wrangler. Designate one adult to organize games and fun activities in a designated space.
• Avoid isolation. This holiday season might be difficult for those who lost a loved one but try to get out of the house and reconnect with friends.
• Help someone who needs you. Nothing beats the feeling of helping another person. It is a sure-fire way of forgetting your own problems.
• Pass down wisdom and tradition. Instead of mourning the passing of better times, keep those memories alive by sharing them with the next generation.
• Review your life priorities. Reassess what matters the most to you.
• Forgive someone. This may be difficult for a lot of people but letting go of the past will allow you to make room for future happiness.
• Make a gratitude list. Review it whenever you’re feeling depressed, anxious or stressed out.
• Give yourself a “time out”. Indulge in things that you stopped doing because you “just don’t have time for anymore”, like a long lunch or a night out with friends.
How does the list sound? Twenty-five things may seem like a lot but I think if we walk away with a handful, we should be on our way to a stress-free holiday.
In the meantime, I have to run. I have some Christmas shopping to do. Where’s the man in the red and white suit when you need him? I swear. Around this time next year, I’d be sitting pretty and waiting for December 25 to arrive because by then my shopping will be all done. Or not!