Christmas! The most wonderful—and most stressful—time of the year! A 2022 survey revealed almost half of respondents feel their mental health worsens during the holidays. It doesn’t have to be that way. Today’s post will focus on 5 simple strategies you can use to reduce stress this Christmas season.

…it’s Christmas and we’re all in misery.

Ellen Griswold, Christmas Vacation

This is one of the most memorable quotes from my all-time favourite Christmas movie Christmas Vacation. (Check out 9 movies you must watch this Christmas to see what else is on the list.) Ellen said this to her teenage daughter Audrey in a scene when they were preparing food in the kitchen. Like most teenage girls, Audrey wasn’t happy about having to share a room with her younger brother while their out-of-town relatives visited for Christmas.

This post was originally published in December 2020 and updated in October 2023.

Why are the holidays so stressful?

It’s easy to see how holiday stress can turn our joy into misery. The pressure to do everything and buy everything is everywhere. Family dynamics and spending time with extended family can be a source of stress. Or we might put too much pressure on ourselves by trying to achieve an unrealistic vision of perfection. We’re all guilty of some of these things!

Take some time to think about last Christmas. Make a list of things that increased your stress levels. Identifying your triggers is a first step toward avoiding them, or at least reducing their impact on your festive celebrations.  

Then, with your list in hand, plan ahead for things you can do to reduce stress this year.

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5 simple strategies to reduce your stress

Here are five simple strategies you can use to reduce your holiday stress.  

Do less

We all have a lot to do this time of year—shopping, cooking, cleaning, decorating, baking, wrapping, entertaining, visiting friends and family. The list goes on and on.

The first and easiest thing you can do is decide to do less.

Look at everything on your list and ask yourself, “Is this something I enjoy?” If the answer is yes, make that a priority and carve out time for it. If the answer is no, ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen if I didn’t do this?”

Here are some ideas to help you get started cutting back:

• Reduce the size of your shopping list. Do you really need to buy gifts for neighbours, friends or your kids’ teachers?
• Rethink the menu. If cooking stresses you out, ask your guests to contribute something to the meal. If making a turkey dinner with all the trimmings is too much, choose a simpler meal.
• Don’t try to be Betty Crocker. I decided a few years ago that I would stick to making a few favourites like Breton Brittle and shortbread. I buy the rest of my baking.
• Relax your cleaning and decorating routines. Your house doesn’t need to look like something out of Chatelaine or Better Homes and Gardens. Your family won’t love you any less if you let a few things go.
• Simplify your wrapping by using gift bags, decorative boxes or some of the other ideas from 10 gift wrap ideas.
• Be selective about the invitations you accept. Don’t try to cram everything into a few short weeks. Plan some get-togethers in January or February. It will give you something to look forward to.

Stick to your budget

Money is a big source of stress for many people at the best of times. The best way to avoid the stress of a big credit card bill in January is to make a Christmas budget—and stick to it.

If you’ve having a hard time thinking of ways to cut back, check out 5 ways to be both festive and frugal for some ways to spend less and still enjoy the season.

Take time for self-care

Make time to look after yourself. You won’t be any use to your loved ones, or yourself, if you let yourself get run down.

First, don’t let the holidays derail your healthy habits. Make sure you get enough sleep and exercise. (Fun and easy Christmas workouts to fit your schedule can help you squeeze in some exercise.) Treat yourself but avoid overindulging in rich food, sugary treats or alcohol.

Next, set aside time to do things that relax you. Read a book. Listen to music. Go for a walk. Take a relaxing bath. Enjoy a catnap. Practise meditation or mindfulness. Whatever your preferred activity, make it a priority.

Focus on simple pleasures

Christmas is a great time to revive or start your gratitude practice.

Take time to appreciate the simple things like watching the snow fall, listening to your favourite Christmas album, or enjoying the neighbourhood Christmas lights. At the end of every day, write down things that made you smile.

Pay it forward with a “Random act of Christmas”

Doing something nice for someone is a great way to boost your own happiness. If you’re making a meal or baking cookies, make extra and drop some off to a friend or neighbour who will appreciate them.

Remember that Christmas can be difficult for people who live alone or who have experienced a loss. Call or drop by and visit. They will appreciate the kindness.

Volunteering or charitable giving is another way to pay it forward during the holidays. See Tis ‘the season for charitable giving for ways you can help.

Remember to breathe!

No matter how hard you try, things will go wrong, and stressful situations will arise. Remember to take a deep breath and keep your sense of humour. The disastrous turkey dinner, the gift you forgot to buy, or the time the cat pulled the Christmas tree over just as your guests arrived, are the things you’ll laugh about years from now.

With a little planning, you can replace stress with serenity this holiday season.

How do you reduce your stress during the holidays? Tell us below.