As the invites begin to overload your calendar, the opportunity for uncomfortable and stressful gatherings begins to rise, potentially putting a damper on what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. Already pressed for time, you begin to fight a battle to fulfill your holiday social obligations while staying sane, healthy, and on budget.
Managing holiday social obligations is never easy, but there are some stress-beating tricks to make sure your holiday spirits don’t start looking Grinch-like.
Follow these suggestions from Quick & Simple for three stressful social situations, and you may just realize that -- aside from the holiday chaos -- you actually do like your mother-in-law. The ability to enjoy every social occasion may be the greatest gift you give yourself this holiday.
The Situation: Your family doesn't get along, and you're always caught in the crossfire
The Solution: Accept that family get-togethers will never be perfect, and then set goals for how you want to enjoy this time.
Ask your aunt if you can help her in the kitchen, and catch up while making appetizers and helping to set the table. Want a glass of wine before Christmas Day dinner? Have your grandfather give you a recommendation beforehand and share his suggestion for some pre-dinner drinks with him.
Pick the people you want to connect with most, and then figure out how best to spend your time with them. Your plan of action will prevent you from even noticing the bickering around you -- and your example may just teach everyone else a thing or two about holiday cheer and good will.
The Situation: Your successful friends want to see you -- but you think a meet-up may leave you feeling unhappy and insecure.
The Solution: Who's not to say you have nothing to contribute to the conversation? The holidays are as much a time to celebrate family and friendship as it is to celebrate life.
Did you recently redecorate your bathroom? Lose five pounds? Finally go on that vacation you've been meaning to take for years?
Friends are friends not because of shared success, but shared memories and support. If you want to add some bragging to the conversation, reflect on the cool things you've done that they haven't -- and everyone will benefit from the realization that "success" is a definition that has the most meaning when it is your own.
The Situation: You have two families to see (yours and your significant other's) -- but only one day to celebrate.
The Solution: Accept the invitation from your SO's parents with the offer to see them before or after the holiday.
While house-hopping sounds like the solution, it can set you up for further stress by trying to fit all of your energy into two different get-togethers with two different families. Explain that your commitment lies with your family first. Then, offer the option to have a pre-holiday dinner or to stop by the day after to exchange gifts over leftover eggnog and cookies.
By emphasizing that your commitment on the actual holiday lies with your family, they will respect your values and respect you more for prioritizing and offering options to see them before the season and your opportunity to visit passes and disappears into the New Year.
Related links:
- Cheap Gifts That Don't Look Cheap
- Gifts for Guys That Won't Break the Bank
- The Gifts Your Dad Didn't Know He Wanted (and Needed) This Christmas
- 31 No-Fail Gift Ideas for Kids
- The Only Tips You Need to Know for Holiday Entertaining
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. &
