How to Help You & Your Family Enjoy the Holiday Season & to Ease Stress and Anxiety

The lights, the gifts, the excitement, the hustle and bustle of activity and endless to-do’s all combine to far too often overwhelm and make us sometimes dread the holiday season despite its call to joy to the world and peace on Earth.

Especially with how 2020 has been a year of increased stress, anxiety, and countless unknowns, we could all do with some joy and peace for ourselves and our families.

But how can we make this happen without compromising our mental health and sometimes over the top expectations while still feeling fulfilled, connected, and making the end of the year one we can embrace as adults and children?

In this article, I’ll be going over some points on how to help you as a parent and adult, as well as your family young and old alike to enjoy the holiday season and ease any stress and anxiety you may be faced with, so as to look back on this time with a smile and not a moan. 

1. Set boundaries for your spending and schedule

Healthy boundaries are required in many areas of our lives and can lower overwhelm, allow us to recognize where we can say yes to help, and know when we need to say no and that it’s ok to do so.

Spending: Take time as soon as possible to sit down and go over who you are planning to get or even make gifts for and set a reasonable budget. Less is more and some of the most mindful gifts don’t have to leave you in debt by any means.

Once a reasonable budget has been set, don’t try to justify any extra purchases or overspending, keep the budget at the forefront of your mind even if that means putting it in a place that you’ll constantly see it, like on a vision board in your bedroom or saved in your phone.

Schedule: While setting boundaries on your spending, do the same with how you’ll spend your time this holiday season.

The holidays come and go in the blink of an eye which is why it is that much more important to be sure that they don’t run away from us and we don’t spend time in activities and events that leave us feeling like life has been sucked out of us.

Plan fun, meaningful activities as well as downtime. Don’t run faster than you have the strength to or feel pressured into doing things that wear you out and don’t bring peace and unity to you and your home. Yes, plan that fun family outing or get-together, but also plan time to relax and unwind.

When it comes to those activities you are planning, they don’t have to be expensive or over the top. Some of the best can be as simple as playing in the snow and creating a hot cocoa bar afterward, putting a family favorite stew in your instant pot, placing a pan of biscuits in the oven, and having a movie night, or placing all your comfy blankets on the floor creating a blanket nest while reading together with your loved ones. In other words, the fun doesn’t mean complicated.

Bottom line, set healthy boundaries as needed but don’t plan everything or you’ll miss the magic! 

2. Picture and discuss with your family what you want the holidays to look like

Holiday planning doesn’t have to be a solo job, make it a family affair.

During a meal, family council, or whenever you are all together in some capacity, discuss what everyone pictures when they think about the holidays ahead.

Discuss altogether what everyone’s hopes and dreams are, and then create action plans on what is most important and how everyone is going to make this happen.

After everything has been discussed and finalized, write up a list and put it on your fridge, on a bulletin board, or anywhere else out in the open so that as the holidays get into full swing, everyone won’t have to wonder, stress over, or moan about what to do, you can all refer to your family’s list and make the good times happen together.

3. Focus on what you can control

Don’t feel pressured into being the one who makes sure that everyone is happy, having a good time, and that all the things are done and done right.

If you feel your anxiety at any point starting to peak, take a moment to yourself to pause and breathe for a few minutes, and I mean really breathe, inhale through your nose deeply, and exhale through your mouth deeply.

Once you’ve done this, recall what is within your control, focus on it even if it is only one or two things, and take them head-on with fullness of heart. 

Whether that’s putting on a classic, favorite Christmas CD, lighting a lovely scented candle, making those scrumptious baked goods, sitting your child on your lap in the family rocking chair and reading them a story or five, or what have you, go forth and make it happen one item at a time with your own flair and zeal.

If there are ever tasks ahead that need to be taken care of that actually set you outside of your comfort zone, timeframe, or ability, don’t hesitate to pass the torch on to someone else. That is allowed I promise. 

4. Limit your time on social media, be more present

From how someone else has decorated their home, to the family holiday pictures, to the gatherings, to the ads of what you need or what your loved ones need, social media inundates us with information and mental noise that can fog our ability to make decisions, to reason, and to feel any kind of relief.

Besides being filled with comparison anxiety, envy, and commercialism overload, having our eyes set on our devices can keep us fixed on our screens rather than one another and what or rather who truly matters, those in the same room as us.

Make a conscious effort to turn off notifications, all distractions, and set time away from social media and devices as a whole to then enjoy being in the present moment fully.

Memories will be made, stress levels will lessen, and smiles will be many, creating mental snapshots that you’ll treasure forever. 



5. Make the most of the traditions you can do, and create new meaningful ones

A couple of my most cherished family traditions during Christmas were ordering Chinese food on Christmas Eve and having a set movie marathon while eating brunch and snacks throughout Boxing Day or December 26th for those unfamiliar with Boxing Day.

Neither tradition is anything overly fancy or intriguing to many, but to me, it was about simplicity, good food, and being together, and that was always enough.

There was less stress over being anywhere or doing anything in a specified time frame, there was less prep for any set person, and we were filled with joy being in each other’s company.

Traditions are wonderful to take part in, but there is also nothing wrong with altering them or creating new ones altogether. This year, if you feel the pull to continue as is, make changes, or make this the time for something new, make it happen and let the good times unwind.

Be creative and if you need a little extra help, go on Pinterest or better yet ask your kiddos, you’ll be amazed by their incredible imagination and ideas.

6. When you can’t gather physically, gather virtually

In a perfect world where 2020 didn’t roll out as it did, many plans, events, and gatherings would be taking place without a second thought. However, depending on your circumstance, you may be somewhere or with others you might not have been anticipating this holiday season.

But don’t let this stand in the way of still making this happen cause huzzah we live in a day and an age where technology when used well can make good things happen and truly connect us.

So gather physically where and when you can safely and mindfully, and if you can’t gather because of distance or circumstance, please don’t hesitate to do so virtually.

There are a few streaming services such as Disney+ where they now allow you to watch movies with others, so have that movie night. Find a game app where everyone can play no matter where they are and have that game night. FaceTime about favorite memories of holidays past, have a karaoke night, share new recipes, share that funny story, and you’ll come to embrace those gatherings, even if they are not done in person, the connection will be real.

Cause heaven knows, we need the connection and the reminder that there is still much good to hold on to and to hold close.

7. Fill your home with comfort and joy

It is oh so important to make your home a place that you can feel most like yourself and that in turn can be a safe haven for all that may enter and abide in.

I know for me, I take great pride in making my place a cozy, open space where all can breathe and feel at home. The holidays can remind us of the value of our home and that it doesn’t take a special time of year to make this so, we can make it like this always if we take some time and effort, and no that doesn’t mean everything is pristine and perfect.

It simply means filling your home with what gives you and your loved ones comfort and joy.

This can be from the aroma and taste of good food and treats, to the music played either by CDs or a playlist or from instruments played by talented loved ones, to the games played, the beloved movies watched, the cozy blankets offered at everyone’s disposal, and the options are endless to how you fill your home because your home is your own, so make it so and enjoy it, don’t take it for granted.

8. Find reasons to celebrate and celebrate often

Having something to look forward to can help keep you going when you feel worn out or lose perspective when you feel consumed by the demands and stresses of the right now. So 2020 overall, am I right?

In general, anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge Christmas nut to the max. To drive the point home, I watch Christmas movies all year long, I strive to not let it be often but I honestly can’t help myself, and therefore there is a rule in my home that I am more than welcome to happily watch them throughout the year as I please, as long as my husband isn’t home.

So the holidays are something I live and breathe for all year long and look forward to with much anticipation and childlike glee.

I have strived to pass this on to my little one by making sure not to downplay or mask my sincere joy over every detail and pointing them out for him to take notice and experience at his pace, being sure not to overwhelm or overstimulate him.

When I can tell it’s getting to be a bit much, I make sure that we take a break, separate ourselves from what is taking place, and do something he enjoys whether that’s cuddling together in our big comfy chair while watching a show he enjoys, playing with his toys, reading, or going outside to explore, one of his absolute favorite things to do.

As I share all that the holidays have to offer and the countless reasons to celebrate, I want it to be something that my own children embrace, not just because Mom does and to appease me.

I want them to be able to recognize that there are many reasons to rejoice and celebrate during the holidays and in turn all year long despite the uncertainty and noise of the world. I especially want them to be sure not to take those reasons to rejoice and celebrate for granted and let them pass by unappreciated or unnoticed. 

Tidings of comfort and joy, during the holidays and all year long

I’ve mentioned this before, but one of my favorite quotes that I strive to implement in my life is “once you realize that you don’t need a special occasion to buy a cake, the second part of your life begins”.

Living in mindful appreciation allows us to be free of expectation and stress, and open to possibility and peace.

We don’t always need to wait to be happy and celebrate what is but I’m also not saying we need to live in a mindless, careless state. At the end of the day, it’s about living with intention, with purpose, that yes we need to take certain aspects of life seriously, but we also need to take joy and what matters most seriously too. Celebrating is a huge part of that.

Passing that on to our children and those around us is so very important, to instill in them that life isn’t meant to be endured by the ends of our fingernails and longing for the weekend, but seeking out reasons to rejoice and to eat that cake at birthday parties as well as Tuesday afternoons. The holidays remind us of that, the need to live well and with deep appreciation.

So here’s to the holidays, may they be a time for you and your family to embrace, reflect, and enjoy. And even if they don’t look like how they usually do or how you initially hoped for, come what may allow this time to end 2020 on a good note, cause you and your family so deserve it!



Now I’d love to hear from you: What is a cherished family tradition in your home during the holidays?
Please comment below and share this post if it has been of value to you or could be for someone else.


**If you enjoyed this article, feel free to check out these other great & insightful posts:

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🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/why-giving-your-baby-the-freedom-to-explore-will-benefit-them-in-the-long-run/

🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/5-books-i-read-this-past-year-that-gave-me-drive-success-peace/



About the Author 

Hi there! I’m Stephanie Tracy, a freelance writer, and blogger for hire. I specialize in physical and mental health, parenting, and self-development. I create engaging, inspiring, and useful content to help businesses progress in making their viewers into customers. When I’m not writing, you can find me on the floor happily playing with my baby boy, walking in the park with my family, or indulging in a movie marathon with my husband.