Being Present During The Holidays
The holidays come and go so quickly, don’t they? From celebrating with friends, work holiday parties, and time spent with families, it can be a bit of a whirlwind. With only eight weeks to Christmas already, my goal is to slow down this year and appreciate the moment a bit more. Here are some of my pieces of advice to being present during the busy holiday season ahead!
1. Make plans ahead of time and put them in your calendar.
It’s helpful for me to know what’s coming in the weekends ahead, so I can plan for them. Eric and I share a calendar so we know exactly what’s coming up for work parties, trips we plan to take, and what families we are spending what days with. That way, there’s no last minute confusion. And make sure you’re prepared for the events! There’s nothing more stressful than wrapping gifts on the day of (been there a few times) or even shopping for a new outfit on the day of an event. So stressful! Preparation is key to feeling in control and happy during the holidays.
2. Don’t jam-pack your days full.
The best thing about the holidays are slowing down, relaxing, and not having to rush around! The worst thing Eric and I did a few Thanksgivings ago was plan to see all three of our families on the same day. Not only were we stuffed (not in a good way), we felt rushed all day, had to spend a lot of precious time in the car commuting, and our families were disappointed when we could only spend a little bit of time with them. Now we plan one day per family, and if that means we don’t celebrate exactly on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, that’s okay. Quality time is quality time with your family.
3. Put your phone away.
I know this is a tough one for a lot of us (including me), but it’s so important to put your phone away and enjoy one-on-one time with your friends and family. I try to keep my phone in my purse, and if there are a few minutes of downtime when people are watching a football game, then it’s okay to catch up a little bit. This is the same with photos. Sometimes I get so stressed thinking I need to Instagram every moment, but this compulsiveness can take away from those moments. Take a few photos, and put it away, and post them to Instagram later when you’re in the car or back home.
4. Plan a date night with your significant other, or if you’re single, a best friend.
The holidays can get so busy spent with colleagues, friends, and family, that it’s nice to spend a little quality alone time with your favorite person. Every year, Eric and I plan a trip to one of my favorite towns, Frankenmuth, for a little Christmas getaway. We stop to the world’s largest Christmas store, grab a drink at the brewery, and wait in line at Bavarian Inn for our annual fried chicken dinner. It’s something we do every year, during the middle of the busy season, and it’s one of my favorite memories of the entire year. It’s a chance to enjoy the spirit of Christmas, without feeling overwhelmed by having to be overly social or rushed.
5. Forget perfection.
It’s so incredibly easy to get overwhelmed by the perfection on Pinterest, and on your favorite blogs you read. The holidays aren’t about being perfect! They are about spending time with your loved ones, being grateful, and enjoying the season. So don’t stress over giving the perfect present, or wrapping your gifts in magazine-quality wrapping paper, or having a blog-worthy Christmas tree. Almost everything online is staged (yes, even from your favorite bloggers!), so don’t get overwhelmed by the details! Nothing is perfect, except for the memories you’ll make being happy during the holidays.
Hope you guys enjoyed this advice on how to be present during the holiday season! Have a happy Halloween this weekend... and be safe!
Thanks to Michelin for sponsoring this post. When it comes to those we care about, no distance is too far. Use #BeThereMoments on Instagram to connect with a community of likeminded people who are making the effort to show up when it matters most.