Ready to start enjoying the holidays?

Here are 12 tips we created to help you have a stress free holiday!

Tip 1: Don’t let them ruin dessert. Chances are, some well-meaning person will want to make a diabetic dessert just for you. That’s sweet (although the dessert certainly won’t be). Offer to bring dessert, and then show up with the real thing. It’s the holidays.

Tip 2: Make a list and check it twice. Write down every gift, task, and grocery item that you will need to get. What doesn’t need to be there? Strike it off. If it’s not on the list, skip it. This can also save cash, as you won’t pick up extra gifts just because they’re in front of you. 

Tip 3: Clear the clutter. Before you pull out the bins of decorations, you may want to box up extra knickknacks and piles. Adding more to an overstuffed room can make it feel claustrophobic, but subtracting can open things up.

Tip 4: Say no. Don’t explain. Don’t defend. Don’t look for buy-in. If you can’t do something, just say, “I’m sorry, I’ll have to miss it,” and change the subject.

Tip  5: Go for a ‘B’ grade. Where does your inner perfectionist take over? Perfectly iced Santa cookies? Beautifully wrapped presents? Intricate place cards? If it gives you joy, then go right ahead. But be sure you are doing it for you and that it is not causing additional stress. 

Tip 6: Hit reset. If your holidays feel like the same story year after year, shake things up. Consider a gift exchange with just the children, or schedule brunch instead of dinner. Make new memories instead of replaying the same ones!

Tip 7: Seek togetherness. Loneliness can be amplified during the holidays, so call one good friend and catch a movie. Grab a coffee. Go on a hike.

Tip 8: Take a social break. Especially if you’re feeling down. All you glimpse on Facebook is smiling, happy people. You don’t see the kitchen meltdowns, overtired kids, or the dog tearing up the presents.

Tip 9: Wash the dishes. If the celebration is getting to be too much, then excuse yourself to clear the table, wash up the pans, or go play with the little ones. Being up to your elbows in soap (or any excuse to step away) is solid me-time in disguise.

Tip 10: Have a zero-effort dinner party. Call a few people who you can be completely casual around. Have them come over in what they’re already wearing, and cook whatever each of you was planning on making that night. Or order in. Pull out the board games or cards. No planning. Just a no-pressure evening with lots of well-deserved laughs.

Tip 11: Do more of less. Individual cocktails and meticulously arranged lamb chops? Trade them for a punchbowl and a roast. A few piled-high platters can be just as impressive and satisfying as 20 individual sides. Remember, it’s spending time with our loved ones that mean the most!

Tip 12: Walk it off. Just go. No direction. No destination. Look around, breathe deeply and give yourself time to collect your thoughts. It’s good for your blood sugar and soul.