Tips on Beating the Stress of the Holidays

During the Christmas season, it is very easy to get swept away in all of the commercialism. When this happens, all too often, it is easy to find yourself looking around the day after Christmas wondering where the holiday went to. It seems to got lost somewhere between the shopping mall and the bank, and all you have to show for the day are aching muscles and credit card receipts.

There are several ways to keep the holiday in perspective so that you can prevent this from happening. First and foremost, as cliché as it may sound, remember "the reason for the season."

Christmas is about God's greatest gift to the world... His son Jesus Christ. It is very true that Jesus most likely was not actually born on December 25^th, but that still doesn't mean that the day cannot be used as a representation of his real birthday, which is unknown. In remembering the true meaning of Christmas, you will begin to experience the holiday in a new and meaningful way.

Go to church. Most churches have Christmas plays and concerts that will get you in the proper frame of mind. This is a wonderful time to visit new churches, or to invite visitors to your own church. Some churches even have live Nativity scenes which bring the meaning of Christmas to life in a very real way.

Spend time with family and friends. Don't get so caught up in the holiday rush that you forget what is truly important. Presents are here today and gone tomorrow. Your family had much rather spend precious time with you than have you off in a shopping frenzy all of the time in a futile attempt to make the holiday perfect. When you think back on your own childhood what do you remember most? Do you remember that perfect gift you received, or do you remember the time you spent baking cookies with your mother or singing Christmas carols together as a family. Incorporate these precious memories into your own family so that your children will have them to hold onto.

Take time to give to others. Take time to give of yourself. Volunteer in some way and let your children help you. Donate new toys to underprivileged children. Make up food baskets so that needy families can have a nice dinner on Christmas. This sends a message to your children that Christmas is not about just receiving, but about reaching out to others.

Make Christmas shopping as simple as possible. Remember that you cannot please everyone or make everyone perfectly happy with the gifts you give. Give from the heart, and don't worry about buying something expensive. Give what you can afford and resist the temptation to buy things on credit, for that is only going to cause unwanted stress when the bills come rolling in. Putting your family in financial stress just to buy Christmas gifts you cannot afford is a foolish mistake, and nobody wins. Don't completely dismiss the idea of making your gifts. This is a very economical way to give and so many people truly appreciate something that is made by loving hands. Do you love to cook? Then make some homemade bread, cookies, or candy. You can wrap it in a festive manner and include a recipe. This is a wonderful gift. Everyone is good at something. If you can't cook, perhaps you are good at crafts. If you are a writer, write a poem for someone you love, and put it in a beautiful frame. The ideas are as endless as your creativity and your imagination.

The final and most important tip is to just relax and enjoy the holiday. If something is causing you lots of stress, then don't do it. There are no rules at Christmastime. Just because your neighbor has 50,000 lights on his house doesn't mean you have to have any lights at all. Just because your neighbors are all having parties doesn't mean you have to have one. Do what you can and take care of yourself. Smile and enjoy the season. That is the greatest gift you can give to the people around you, and it doesn't require wrapping or pretty bows.