Holiday Stress: 4 "Don'ts"

Do you find yourself running around like a hamster on a wheel during the holidays?  If you do, you are not alone.  Many people who are already busy find the holidays simply overwhelming, even to the point of dread.  Christmas should not be a time that causes anxiety.  It should be a time for enjoyment, peacefulness, and goodwill.  Here are a few "don'ts" that may help you have a merrier Christmas.

• Don't try to make everybody happy.  There is a simple reason for this one.  You can't please everyone all of the time.  Family members and friends may have the perfect plans for how and where you spend your holidays, but ultimately, you have to make the decision that's best for you, your spouse, and your children.  There is nothing worse than driving all day or laying over for hours at an airport trying to get to three or four family Christmases.
• Don't overspend.  Christmas is not about presents.  It's about presence.  Did you get the play on words there?  A recent poll tells us that, on average, people spend upwards of $700 at Christmas.  To me, that's just too much.  Why would I suffer the stress of overextending myself and then choose to defer some of that stress to January and beyond trying to pay that exorbitant amount back?  Why not start a new tradition of not giving quantities of expensive gifts. Set a comfortable limit and stick to it.
• Don't try to attend every function.  Christmas is a festive time complete with company Christmas parties, get-togethers with friends, school functions, and church gatherings.  However, people that are already extremely busy find themselves running crazy trying to fit all of that fun into their schedules.  Allow me to let you in on a secret: There is no sin in not attending every holiday party, event, or function. I'll go one step further and tell you not to even try.  Go to the ones you really want to attend and forego the rest.  You'll be less stressed and a little more sane this New Year.
• Don't forget why we celebrate Christmas.  Do you ever wonder why Thanksgiving is just kind of skipped over commercially?  It's probably because "giving thanks" doesn't sell very well.  But, the significance of Christmas involves the continuance of giving thanks and, if you can move past the toy displays and the dazzling Christmas decorations, you will find that the basis for the Christmas message is still just "peace on Earth, goodwill towards men".  Don't you agree that there is more to Christmas than what is displayed in store windows?  I think Jesus would.