5 Ways to Get Through Christmas Stress and Debt Free!
Jingle bells jingle bells. And so it begins. Tis the season to be jolly…. no wait…. for running around like a chicken with your head cut off falling into the consumerism trap and counting down the days until it’s finally all over.
Is this how you feel about the Christmas holidays? If so, you’re not alone. I used to be like that until I left the country 4 yrs ago. Now my Christmas is totally stress free. Yippee!!
I remember having to rush around buying things, working harder to make more money for more gifts, wondering and bracing myself for family dinner. Wondering and worrying what the weather was gonna be like (in Northern Ontario that’s a real thing), hoping I didn’t forget anything.
Oy oy oy. The panic, the anxiety, the stress, the consumerism. …sheesh. I’m glad all that’s over with.
But I get that some of you still have to go through all that stuff. I’m sorry for you. I’m here to help you with all that though. Take what you want and leave the rest. I really just want people to know that you absolutely can get through the Christmas holidays and all that consumerism nonsense totally stress free.
Getting through the consumerism nightmare
I think that too many of us forget what the real meaning of Christmas truly is. Let me refresh your memory. It’s the birth of Jesus Christ. But you knew that right? So here it is, 2018 yrs later we’re scrambling about for a solid full month stressing over Jesus’ birthday. I wonder if he knows we’re doing this. He’d probably do a face palm.
When did we lose sight of what this day really is and turn it into a consumerism nightmare? When and why did we do that? I actually tried to Google an answer to that one to no avail. It just happened. But does it have to be like this? Is there a right or wrong answer to this question?
Anyway, I got some good news for you! There is a way to get through this Christmas holiday season relatively stress free. Let’s do this..
5 Way to Get Through Christmas Holidays Stress Free
1 Take time for yourself
First and foremost, remember to take some time for yourself each and every day away from the hustle and bustle of it all. Whether you have to wake up a little earlier, go to bed later or lock yourself in the bathroom for 15 minutes, just be alone and if you can, meditate.
Actually, meditation is exactly what you should be doing with your alone time. Be with yourself and breathe. Listen to some soft music or heck even Christmas carols if you want. But just take time to chill out! Alone. Take yourself to a movie or on a date even!! Fun!!
2 Talk to your family
Make a deal with your family. Gather them around a couple of months before the Christmas holidays consumerism chaos starts and decide together, no presents this year! Tell them that their presence is enough!
Now I understand if you have really little kids, this won’t fly so instead, keep this deal among the adults. I’m sure everyone will love this one!! This way, too, everyone is a lot happier at the dinner table!
Tell them if they really want to buy you something or spend money, donate it to a charity of your choice, which leads me to tip #3…
3 Help the helpless
Instead of rushing around like a crazy person getting all your Christmas shopping done, let everyone know you are only buying for a homeless shelter or a family in need this year (actually you should do this every year anyway.period.always) or maybe your favourite charitable organization that helps the less fortunate.
You can get them something as simple as a Gift Card to a local department or grocery store. Ask your family, extended as well, if they’d like to contribute to this cause. The more the merrier and the more needy families you can help! And this ties in to tip #4
4 Do it as a family!
Why not gather your family together and go volunteer at a homeless shelter or other organization that helps feed the less fortunate. Maybe go visit the nursing home and spend time with seniors who have no family visiting ever.
Have a nice Christmas breakfast and then gather up the fam and go help others (this one blows my heart wide open). This way instead of running around for a month like a chicken with its head cut off, you already decided no presents this year, and you have something totally amazing to look forward to.
Not only that, you may think about becoming a permanent volunteer at one these organizations!
5 Take a trip!
Leave the country! Ha! I’m kidding though if you absolutely can and have the funds, then do it.
Can you take a little road trip somewhere? Go to a cottage or the beach? Cancel Christmas and go do something totally un-Christmassy! I like to call this escaping the consumerism crap and actually enjoying the holiday totally stress free!! See #1.
Go the movies, take the family on a sleigh ride or surfing/swimming (really depending on where in the world you live!)
I think out of all these tips the best one to put in place is the no presents one. This way, every one knows right off the bat, there will be no Christmas holiday stressful shopping, no consumerism chaos. Win win!
Take in the spirit and forget the chaos of the Christmas season
I remember back in my first world days (for those who don’t know I currently live in Guatemala where there is almost 0 shopping chaos here) I would take time to enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights, sing to the lovely Christmas carols and just enjoy the spirit of the season.
There were some years I was so broke I couldn’t buy anyone anything, and I didn’t. Only a few small things for my kid but he was an adult by that time. He didn’t really care either way.
I learned to enjoy and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, you know, the birth of Jesus Christ. Did I feel bad I had no money to buy anything? Of course I did, a little. I didn’t let it get to me too much though.
You’d be surprised how many people actually understand when you’re flat broke and down and out and don’t expect anything from you.
People really are caring.
Try not to get too wrapped up in all this consumerism crap. The stress and inevitable debt you have to endure really isn’t worth it. Jesus wouldn’t want you to go through all that anyway. It’s a time to celebrate with hearts full of love, not empty wallets, racked up credit card bills and unnecessary stress. Do this Christmas holiday stress free!
You’re welcome.
Peace and Love
xo iva xo
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