BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Stress Management Streess Relief Ideas for the Holidays

How do you release the stress during the holiday season?

I completely avoid ALL malls I know I would go insane if I went into a busy mall. I stay home and do shopping online. But to be honest, I really don't buy presents any more! My boyfriend and I buy small things for each other all year long and aren't into "trinkets" so they're all things we need (but love) like a GPS. For family members, I take them out to dinner as a present. I have become very against clutter

So that works for me at least!

I try to shop early and shop online. That way it's all taken care of and I don't have to go to the Post office. That's always stessful for me.

Malls - NO
Any Major Department Store - NO
Shopping after Halloween - NO
Getting Groceries at Superstores on Weekends - NO (that's when people Christmas shop)

My husband and I don't buy gifts for each other because our birthday's are both so close to Christmas. We just buy under an agreed amount for our one son. That keeps the spending down. I ran in and ran out to get my son's gifts back in October before the crowds started thinking about Christmas.

This year relatives decided not to buy gifts, which was a relief for us because we were the big spenders for nieces and nephews. But I felt sorry for my sister's children because they have nothing so I still sent them gift certificates. And we're all getting together before X-Mass for a giftless bring-a-dish-to-pass gathering.

As for stress-We didn't put up outside lights to keep the electric bill down. Just put up the inside Christmas Tree. And the other thing for stress I suggest is stick to Tradition - do what you normally do every year so you aren't getting all worked up about something not working out. Every year just the 3 of us have all you can eat King Crab Legs at home on Christmas Eve. Christmas Morn. we have Cinnamon rolls, coffee and milk and exchange gifts, later that day we have a special dinner. This year it will be Chicken Cordon Bleu

Joan - I am completely with you on the post office!! I make origami and I am having my boyfriend bring the boxes into the post office for me right now. The one time I went in the line was outrageous!

My son is 19 and really I'm not sure what to get him - since we review video games he gets a steady stream of games all year long. He really doesn't want anything. We were even on Amazon last night just looking at books and he's all set with the ones he wants. So it may be a quiet Christmas even for him.

I sent homemade cards with origami out to all my relatives but that's about it. I almost feel like I should feel "guilty" for not getting people gifts, but I don't expect gifts either and really I don't get any So I am happy without the clutter, and am happy sending origami, and am happy having dinner with people. I need to find a way to release this lingering guilt that I "should" be buying things.

We don't have our tree yet - and Bob even had us buy a fake tree last year because he was tired of pine needles getting everywhere! So we have this tree in the attic. Maybe I'll ask him to get it down today.

I LOVE origami. I'd love to get a homemade card with origami. First of all, I know how much time, talent and effort goes into crafting homemade items. A person puts so much of her energy into that kind of gift.

So much better than a storebought box of candy or even a gift card (no matter how much money is on it!)

As for bought gifts, I try to buy online. I wish I were forward thinking like Deb to shop in October. Maybe I'll do that next year...

Origami is a lot of fun to make, and there is always paper around to make it with. So it's the perfect frugal gift

Origami sounds like a fun thing to do with the entire family.
I did most of my shopping early. I spent the past weekend celebrating with my family, next weekend we will celebrate with my in-laws.This will make the holiday a little less stressful & we can relax & not have to rush around & get stressed out by everyone or any little thing that goes wrong.

That is so great that you got your shopping done early! I had to go into a Target today to get some storage boxes and it was just a madhouse. Shopping early seems SO key to relaxation

Yoga and meditation is a better to avoid stress

online shopping but only on days the site is offering a higher % off or free shipping