How to survive the holiday preparations without going crazy? Practical advice for moms and others!

It begins in November, grows more intense with each passing day, and lasts until December 24th. What are we talking about? Of course, the pre-Christmas rush, which can really disrupt this magical time! Here are some practical tips to help you get through the holiday preparations and enjoy the festive atmosphere!

The Art of Letting Go

Perfectionism aside! Before the holidays, we have a ton of responsibilities, and we also generate new ones ourselves, and we want to complete each one as best we can. Besides, it's always best to take care of everything yourself. Is this really the right approach? Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't hesitate to accept it. Enlist the help of others at home – let your husband do the shopping, or let the children decorate the tree. Consider which chores can be skipped or postponed. Is it really necessary to wash all the windows before the holidays? Do you have to cook all the meals yourself, and does it have to be so many? In the pre-holiday rush, good organization and postponing less-priority tasks are key to success!

A moment for you

Remember not to forget your own needs in the throes of holiday responsibilities. If possible, find time just for yourself. Consider this an investment in your mental health. Think about what brings you the most joy: a warm bath, an evening with your favorite book, or going to the cinema or yoga with friends. Remember one thing – don't crave responsibilities. There's always something to do at home – that overdue ironing or cleaning out the kitchen cupboards can wait. Don't make excuses to keep you from going out, and if you enjoy spending time at home, remember that relaxing with music or your favorite TV show, even the most undemanding one, isn't a waste of time. Everyone needs a break and small pleasures – following this rule will help you maintain peace and balance.

Preparations for the holidays - Not at the last minute

You can take care of many holiday-related matters in advance. Sounds trivial? Maybe so, but it's worth reminding yourself of this regularly. Just think of the crowds in shopping malls or the overflowing parcel lockers in the final days before the holidays. Pre-ordered gifts offer a number of benefits: you avoid worrying and worrying about whether the courier will arrive on time or standing in a line that stretches all the way through the store. Even Christmas music blasting from the store speakers won't help in this situation. Order your gifts today to ensure all your packages arrive on time. Check out Gift Ideas for Children

Don't compare yourself to others!

When browsing the profiles of influencers, or even your friends, on social media, you probably often think that these people have perfect lives. A friend shows off the beautiful interiors of her house with a garden? Although it looks perfect, you don't realize that the rising mortgage payment is keeping her awake at night, wondering where she'll get the money to pay it off. Such examples are endless. It's similar with the holidays – photos of a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, symmetrically arranged gift boxes beneath it, smiling family members, a lavishly laid table – remember, these are just a fraction of reality.

Many stressful situations can be avoided

Holiday preparations should be carefully planned. Make a list of holiday-related tasks or situations that cause you anxiety, and then consider how to avoid them and how to resolve those that are unavoidable. As mentioned, many tasks (shopping, choosing gifts) can be planned in advance, which can be helpful if you're stressed by too many responsibilities. Many people dislike the holidays, also because of uncomfortable questions from close or distant family members. There's no perfect solution, but proper preparation can certainly help. Remember that in most cases, the people asking don't have malicious intentions—their inquisitiveness is driven by concern. Therefore, it's worth approaching this situation with a healthy dose of perspective. If you already know what type of questions they'll ask, you can consider your answer in advance, perhaps even a good retort.