The last three months of the year are a whirlwind specifically for moms. We are the magic makers, the keepers of the calendars, and often burnt out from the mental load! As a seasoned mom of two, I have learned a few holiday hacks that help keep the sparkle in the holiday season. Here are my suggestions on how to take care of your family and yourself throughout the holidays.
Make a Plan! The first step to feeling a little less overwhelmed is to figure out your holiday game plan. Do your families live in different cities? Who are you visiting for which holidays? Decide what works best for your nuclear family and let everyone know what your plans are. See if there is a way that you can simplify the holidays to give a little more to yourself. This year, we’ve decided to spend one holiday with my family, one at home with our nuclear family, and one holiday with my husband’s family in an effort to find a balance that works for us.
Stay on Budget: With inflation on the rise, many of us are feeling the pinch in our pocketbooks. Make a spreadsheet of how much you can spend on each loved one for Christmas and stick to it! It is so tempting to go overboard during the holidays, but you will thank yourself later if you can stick to what your family can afford.
Homemade Gifts: Bring homemade gifts back! Homemade gifts are thoughtful and budget friendly. One year, my husband made Louisiana shaped chalkboards that are still hanging in the homes of many loved ones. If you have a talent and a little bit of time, homemade gifts are the way to go.
Buy All Gifts in November! This was a gamechanger for me. Once the gifts have been purchased a significant amount of the pressure gets taken away and you can focus on spending time with family and friends.
Try Something New: It is easy to cook the exact same meal and do the same traditions, because that is what your family has always done. Don’t be afraid to try something new! Whether that is a new recipe or making a new tradition. Get out of your comfort zone with how you celebrate in a meaningful way to you.
Take Care of Yourself! It is easy to get caught up in all the ways you need to give to those around you at the expense of giving to yourself. Carve out some time in the middle of the chaos to love yourself well.
