Everyone who has ever celebrated Christmas as a child, still waits for Christmas. it is a day of presents, surprises, family and friends for most who practice the custom. It is also a time when someone gets to do a lot of cooking, preparing and hosting for the Christmas Day experience.
The IdealEach person responsible for the festivities wants them to go off without a hitch. Imaginations run wild with scenarios of perfect dinners, well behaved and mannered children and offers of help with the washing up. Often times however, it is important to remember that things don't always go as planned. For some, when plans go awry, stress levels can hit new highs ruining the holiday and the feelings behind it in a second.
Dealing Stress-FreeOne of the first things to remember is that perfect is pretty arbitrary as a description. One person's perfect is another's nightmare. The thing to remember is to keep things in perspective. Once the meal is prepared, the decorations are up and the presents are wrapped, everything else is out of the hosts' control. No one knows if Uncle so and so will drink too much, or if cousin what's her name's kids will be little devils the whole day. And while yes, they may be at your house, you have no control over others actions.
How to Deal with the StressFirst of all, accept that there will be things that will stress you out. Let that stress ride over you like a wave. No one can fix anyone else or make things perfect for the rest of the world. People react to the holidays in a variety of ways and the host is not responsible for living up to everyone's dreams.
Realize that you have done your best. Enjoy it. There will be plenty of pesky little things that go wrong, just fix what you can and move on. Don't get caught up in how it looks or the latest family gossip or the inevitable political disagreement. Let things fall as they may. As long as no one is tossing the Christmas Crèche in the fire and someone's kid isn't climbing the tree, then things are not as bad as tehey could be.
Learn to let go. Be responsible for your own happiness, not that of others. Each person has to decide to enjoy the day, you have provided the means, and they must provide the desire.
Take Care of Yourself
Remember that you are celebrating too. Take time for the self. Cook some of the dinner the night before, open presents in shifts so kids do not become so easily overwhelmed, and when possible grab a moment of quiet in the kitchen away from the carols and noise. Dress comfortably, appreciate all the work that you did and take some time to be present in the moment and enjoy the holiday as it happens. Remember for everything that goes wrong, four things will go right and that is what matters the most.
Kathy Schlossmacher - I am a former teacher and social worker with degrees in psychology, social work and theology. I have many personal interests including ...
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