Some of us look forward to family time during the holiday season as the most anticipated event of the year. Whether you enjoy spending time with family or wish you could be doing other things, we may all benefit from tips on how to enjoy the holidays with family!

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Acknowledging your feelings is one of those things that’s easier said than done. We may not realize it, but it’s quite common for many of us to fly on autopilot when we do not know what to feel. This autopilot mode can happen during the holidays for those of us who are conflicted. You know you should be enjoying the holiday season—as tradition says you should—but you just aren’t. 

Try naming all the emotions felt this upcoming holiday season. Recognize your apathy, happiness, sadness, and all other feelings. Write it down so you won’t forget. Use this written acknowledgment of your feelings as a tool to better navigate this and all upcoming family events. Make time for the events and people that brought you positive emotions and avoid the ones that didn’t as best you can. 

Make a List of All the Things You Want to Do with Family

Seasonal events this time of year are second to none.

This year may be the first time you’ve seen your extended family in a long time. You may want to change things up a bit! You might try some new traditions, such as going on a holiday shopping spree together, or taking a day-trip to explore nearby winter sites.  For some people the amount of events out there can feel overwhelming. Listing potential events is one way to stay organized and lessen that overwhelming feeling.

Try jotting down every single event that you would like to do with family, including activities you’ve never done before, as well as family traditions. Disregard time restraints for the time being. After you’ve written down everything you can think of, mark the events you know you or your family would enjoy the most.

Find Activities that Everyone in Your Family Will Enjoy (even if it's just watching movies together!)

The events you list do not have to be avant-garde. Some at-home enjoyable events during the festive season include holiday-themed game nights, gift wrapping parties, and decorating the tree together.  One fun way to spice up decorating as a family is by sneaking in unique decorations. For example, hang a pickle on the back of your tree and have fun seeing who finds it first.

Other memorable events can include seeing majestic Christmas lights, ice skating at the park, and Christmas shopping as a family. Holiday shopping together can actually be budget-friendly. Give each other a comfortable budget and see just how many gifts you each can find in one store. Gift wrap your findings and laugh or “Aww!” together the holiday morning when you open them.

Plan Out Your Schedule for Each Day and Assign Tasks Accordingly

Here’s where the list you made really comes in handy. Too many of us experience stress and anxiety during the holiday season because of our schedules. Take the time to pause and organize your calendar before the season gets crazy. Schedule the events you can attend from the list of options you wrote down prior. Ask for help or delegate tasks as needed, such as assigning drivers and who needs to bring what foods to the party. Doing so will better allow you to enjoy the days when they get here, instead of rushing to handle last time tasks. 

There are varying benefits for creating a schedule, depending on the person. For example, if you struggle with overcommitting, visually seeing how many events you can afford to attend may make it easier for you to set boundaries and prioritize attending events you enjoy. If you’re a forgetful person, planning out your family time may make you less likely to accidentally miss an exciting event. Some people find it better to organize their schedules in a physical calendar, while others prefer online calendars. Choose whatever works best for you and get ahead of the holiday craziness!

Be Sure to Include Some Time for Relaxation, too! 

It’s never a good idea to skimp on self-care. Ensuring you relax over the holidays is key to staying rejuvenated and not feeling burnt out by the end of the season. Plan rest days or hours ahead and always check in with your body and mind as the season progresses. There are several ways to practice self-care if you do not already have an established routine. Many people find skincare, napping, and bubble baths soothing year round. To make things festive, try some seasonal relaxation.

Cozy up with your favorite blanket next to the fireplace with hot chocolate in your hands. Make a gingerbread house by yourself or with your loved ones. Invest in some retail therapy and do some holiday shopping for yourself. 

Try Not to Stress About Making Everything Perfect - This is Supposed to Be Fun!

It’s easy to get swept under all the holiday madness. Before you know it, you’re bogged down under concerns of family drama, who forgot to bring what, and just about everything else. Utilizing lists, creating schedules, and planning ahead for relaxation can aid in seasonal stress reduction. If you notice yourself overcome with stress, stop what you’re doing and breathe. Regroup by practicing some self-care and then remind yourself that holidays should be a time of joy. Try asking for help if needed and spend the rest of the season emphasizing happiness amongst all else. You deserve it! 

The holiday season can be a fun and memorable time spent with family and friends. Whether you are staying home or going out we hope we have provided you with some unthought of ideas!