It's easy to get overloaded during the holidays. There's a lot to do, there's so much to see, stores are busy, even getting together with family and friends can be stressful if there's too much of it. The breaks in routine can be hard on kids, too. I have really little kids, and toddlers and preschoolers are particularly susceptible to added stress due to breaks in routine. Plus, my husband is an introvert who gets overloaded with people easily. Here's how I keep everyone's spirits bright.
- Don't overschedule. It's easy to try to cram everything in, but sometimes gatherings are more meaningful if you take turns. Do Thanksgiving at one house and Christmas at the other, for example. Or spread out the Christmas season to include the weekends before and after Christmas for get-togethers instead of trying to pack it all into one day.
- Find your focus. Different holidays have different meanings to different people. But no matter what your background, everyone should have some non-material reason for celebrating the holiday, whether it's to celebrate a cultural tradition, commemorate a religious event, or just to enjoy the blessing of family and friends.
- Don't lose focus on the kids. It's easy to push kids aside in the hustle and bustle of preparations and shopping, but make sure to set aside some time to really connect with your kids. Evaluate what your actions are saying to them - is the "stuff" of the holiday really more important than quality time and making memories?
- Stay healthy. Being sick really puts a damper on the holidays. Make sure to take time to protect your health. Eat right, wash your hands, get some exercise, and sleep. It's hard to fit it all in, but if you're well-rested you'll be able to be more efficient at your tasks, so it's worth it to get plenty of sleep. Same with exercise - it takes time away from other things, but if you include your family, it's good quality family time too. Plus it helps you stay healthier and boosts your overall energy level.
- Simplify gift-giving. Don't go overboard. The holidays aren't about the stuff. Pick smaller numbers but better quality toys, or pick inexpensive toys that provide great value because they have endless ways to play.
Kre-O playsets made by Hasbro are a good example of a good gift for the right person. They combine building blocks with Transformers, so kids who like either one will enjoy them. It enhances fine motor skills and imagination to put the sets together and create stories to play. It can also encourage cooperative play with friends. For more information, follow @hasbronews.
“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hasbro blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points and a KRE-O gift. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions of SocialMoms or Hasbro. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”
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