The holiday season is once again upon us. Many start out with great expectations of what they hope the season will bring but end dejected and discouraged.  For some, the holiday season magnifies their aloneness. The holidays may bring stress to find the perfect gift, stress to attend multiple holiday events, stress due to family interactions and, of course, financial stress.  When holidays are devoid of meaning and become busy stressors, they deplete our energies. Holidays should be recharging and restorative.  Keeping holidays meaningful is about making conscious, purposeful choices.

Suggestions for keeping the holidays meaningful

Keeping it simple is probably one of the best antidotes to the above-mentioned stressors.  The temptation at the holidays is to make everything special.  Within the idea of a holiday is the idea of something out of the ordinary. However, everything around the holidays doesn’t have to be a major event.  Choose 1 or 2 events/activities that are purposefully special.  Say “no” to  two activities that you may feel obligated to attend but feel draining.  Allow yourself the luxury of enjoying the simple things around the holidays.  Sometimes a bag of microwave popcorn enjoyed as a family around a holiday movie can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the season.

Connecting with family and friends at the holidays is often a much-anticipated part of the season that comes with high expectations.  Often this excitement can be overwhelming for all.  To make the most of family time together take time for self-care.  Even adults need to be well-rested and well-nourished or may simply need a break from holiday festivities.  Pay attention to your physiological needs. This is not a time to neglect personal self-care.  Self-care can be the most unselfish activity you can do for your family.  Well-rested, well-nourished adults who allow themselves some downtime have more patience and resiliency to manage stress.  When the season necessitates time with irritating family members, stay focused on your behavior not theirs.  You can’t control them but you can control you.  Speak words of kindness and act on the urge to walk away rather than holding your ground.

Take an inventory of your reason for celebrating the holidays.  Take a few minutes throughout each day to remind yourself of why you recognize the holidays.  In the busyness of the season, it’s easy to become distracted from the purpose of the season. Listen to a few holiday themed songs that remind you of the meaning behind the season.  Take a few minutes to read a holiday devotional.  Do whatever helps keep you grounded to your spiritual beliefs for the season.

Finally, putting all of the above into action by bringing holiday joy to others may be one of the most important parts of keeping your holiday season meaningful.  Think beyond your own circumstances and connect in meaningful ways with others.  Take part in three other-centered activities. These activities don’t have to be big or extravagant activities.  Take the time to relieve someone’s aloneness, financial strain, and/or personal stress. Visit with that elderly person that just lost their spouse or is experiencing a breakup, sponsor a local family who isn’t going to have much for Christmas, offer to babysit for the couple with young children who doesn’t have any family close by, etc.

Keep the holidays full of meaning by keeping it simple, staying connected, practicing self-care, knowing your why and helping someone else enjoy the season.