Girl, As the Holiday Frenzy Quickly Approaches, Don't Panic

November is here.

You might be feeling the frantic pace of the holiday season, along with the pressure to finish everything on time. There is a lot to do, from shopping, wrapping, packing, planning, and traveling, to cooking, cleaning, hosting, and attending year-end events. All of this Holiday frenzy can cause a lot of stress.


Phew. Relax and take a deep breath.

Before you jump into the busyness of the holidays … before the stress gets the best of you, take a moment to reflect on God’s promises of peace and pray.

A Prayer for the Stressed

Most gracious heavenly Father, please grant me your peace during this busy season. Help me to focus on you and recognize your grace in my life each day. Replace my stress, worries, and anxiety with gratitude and your peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for carrying my burdens and for your constant presence in my life. I ask for all of this in your Son Jesus' name. Amen.
 

“The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

We hope that these things inspire and uplift you during the holiday season.

CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITIES

During the holidays, there are countless activities and events to choose from, but you cannot possibly do them all. It is a good idea to sit down with your family and ask everyone to name their favorite activities. Write them down and schedule them into your calendar to see how your time looks. If you find that your schedule is too busy, try to eliminate some of the activities. Remember that you'll be able to enjoy the activities you choose much more if you are not exhausted. Therefore, choose wisely and write everything down!

This also includes the joy of spending time with loved ones and family.

SCHEDULE DOWN TIME

I know it may seem unusual, but I make it a point to schedule times in our calendar where we can stay at home, unwind, and watch a couple of Christmas movies. With so many events and activities filling up the calendar, it can be quite tiring to keep running around from one thing to another. That's why one of my favorite pastimes is snuggling up on the couch with my loved ones and watching our favorite Christmas shows. It's something I always look forward to and would never want to miss out on!

LET GO OF PERFECTION

I am sure you are familiar with the phrase, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good," there is no better place to apply this than during the holidays. It means that you do not have to obsess over keeping your house perfectly clean when you are doing Christmas crafts and holiday decorating. It also means that your gingerbread house or fancy red velvet cake may not turn out as it looks in the cookbook, but that is okay. Life happens, so try to enjoy the process and not worry too much about the result. As someone who is a bit of a perfectionist, I know how difficult this can be, but it is worth giving it a shot!

CREATE A HOLIDAY WRAPPING AREA

It is highly recommended not to leave all your presents to wrap for Christmas Eve. If possible, set up a designated wrapping area in your home. If there is not enough space, use a Rubbermaid bin to hold everything you need, including gift bags, wrapping paper, tags, ribbons, tape, and scissors. Try wrapping gifts as you go or at least every few presents to avoid being overwhelmed by a pile of gifts. Wrapping a few gifts can be fun and a great way to express creativity! Once you're done, the wrapped gifts can also serve as lovely decorations under your tree, stacked in a corner, or stored away in a crate until Christmas.

PRACTICE SELF CARE

Taking care of yourself during the holiday season is crucial to avoid getting run down or sick. It can be challenging to prioritize your needs when there's always a long list of things to do, but setting a bedtime and sticking to it is important. Focus on completing what is essential during the day and let go of the rest. Although there will be tempting food at parties, make wise eating choices and carry a water bottle to stay hydrated. If you have a regular workout routine, try to maintain it, and if you usually relax by reading books, make sure to find time for it. Whatever you do to keep yourself calm and centered, stick with it!

FOCUS ON THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Although I have saved this point for the last, it is the most important one of all. Christmas may hold different meanings for different people. Still, regardless of your beliefs, I believe we can all agree that it is a time for celebration, giving to others, expressing gratitude for all the blessings we have, and sharing the Christmas magic that can only be felt during this time of year. Please take a moment to slow down and savor it.

KEEP THESE SCRIPTURES IN MIND:

God is always with you.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)

God carries your burdens each day.

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psalm 68:19)

God wants you to talk with Him when you’re stressed.

“I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.” (Psalm 118:5)