Your guide to a zen holiday season

Here are 5 tips to help you sail through the festivities and make the most of this most wonderful time of the year.

1. Make your holiday checklist

Your key to survival is to have a plan. Make a list everything you have to do: buy presents, make meals, decorate and do all the family stuff. Make a schedule to spread your tasks over several weeks. 

Nathalie, a mother of 3 from the Eastern Townships, is a master planner. “All the jobs for Christmas dinner are assigned two months beforehand. Everyone in the family knows what to do. Nothing is left to chance,” she says. At 61, Nathalie has made accommodations. Christmas dinner has been moved up and is now a daytime event. “That’s one more layer of stress gone,” says the (gracefully) aging matriarch.  

René of Montreal, also in his sixties, isn’t arguing. “My New Year’s Eve Facebook page is done by the end of October. I buy presents and decorations weeks in advance. That spares me any last-minute stress or nasty surprises,” he says. 

2. Simplify your holiday prep

Holiday season feasting can quickly become burdensome. So, skip the royal banquet and go with good and simple meals. It’s best to get the whole family involved. “I do the same with my family as with my friends – everyone contributes to the food. Nobody must spend days in the kitchen to have people over,” says Nathalie. And divvying things up adds variety to the menu. Another plus: The host doesn’t have to break the bank. Putting up an army of guests isn’t cheap. 

As for decorations, lower the bar. Perfection is a pipe dream. “I focus on people, not stuff, like flashy table settings and decorations,” says Mariève Bouchard. Who could disagree? Less stress is always best.

3. Remember to add “me” time

In that whirlwind of activity, take some time for yourself. Set aside time to relax. Curl up with a book. Do something you enjoy. Even when his grownup kids are around, Bruno Tremblay makes sure to go out for a run every chance he gets. “It’s my safety valve. I need alone time,” he says. 

Nathalie Rivard, too, schedules herself time to do… nothing. “I need time to think, to reflect,” she says. A free gift you can give yourself anytime! Even a few minutes of peace and quiet can help you recharge your batteries and get back into focus. Relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga are also great for managing stress.

4. Prioritize what matters most

Everything doesn’t have to be perfect, so pick your priorities. Whether it’s spending time together, creating memories or celebrating traditions – decide what’s important to you and let go of the rest. Don’t pressure yourself to meet other people’s expectations. 

And giving presents – do you really have to? Lisa Marie Thibault doesn’t anymore, to put it simply. “And nobody’s complaining, not even my children,” she says. Striking against overconsumption has one big benefit: no maxed-out credit cards come January.

5. Just say no (sometimes)

Invitations can pile up quickly in the holiday season. Feel free to pass up a few if you start sensing things are getting hectic. “I put a limit on holiday season engagements. I want to save my energy for my family. Otherwise, I’m exhausted by Christmas,” says Yolaine Tremblay, who has two young children. Say yes to what brings you joy and no to what doesn’t. 

In conclusion, don’t let the holidays mean stress and exhaustion for you. With a little planning, prioritizing and time for yourself, you can make this a season of joy and happy memories. Just remember to spend time with those you love and celebrate the little things that make life beautiful.