The Holiday Present I Always Get, But Never Ask For...

🎶It’s the most wonderful time of the year...🎶

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Is it reallly though? No, I’m not here to be Scrooge or the Grinch. However, I’m not going to pretend that the holiday season is only full of carols and cheer. Because it’s not! Holiday anxiety is real and it’s something people sometimes get every year, including me! So why isn’t there a song about that?! There are usually high expectations around the holidays which can cause a lot of anxiety when trying to please everyone. Us people pleasers and perfectionists struggle a lot during this time because of it!

I’m going to list out the things that give people anxiety around the holiday time... p.s. you don’t have to have an anxiety disorder to experience holiday anxiety!

🎁 Trying to coordinate time between different family members without upsetting anyone

🎁 Trying to find gifts that people will love

🎁 Having your house look Hallmark picture perfect when guests come over

🎁 Wishing some family members were still around to celebrate and thinking how different it would be if they were still around

🎁 Feeling guilty if someone gives you a beautiful gift and your gift to them wasn’t as great

🎁 Battling between wanting to give to all loved ones, but also worrying about your finances

I think I can go on and on, but I won’t! Do you have any other types of holiday anxiety that I missed? Now that we’re aware of all the holiday anxieties people have, let’s talk about how we can help decrease those anxieties!

✨ You don’t have to celebrate with all of your loved ones on the day of the actual holiday. Space it out and just because you’re not with them on the actual holiday date, that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. This will also allow you more time to spend with each family member!

✨ Ask for everyone to make Christmas lists! This can be as easy as having them share their Amazon wish list. This way you know they’ll love what you get them because they picked it out themselves!

✨ Make sure to have hot cocoa stocked up for any guests that stop over. Your house doesn’t have to look holiday ready everyday, but if you treat your guests with holiday treats it will feel holiday ready!

✨ Write your loved ones a sweet holiday letter even if they’ve passed away. In my book, it still counts! I usually visit my Papa’s grave on Christmas Eve and leave a little letter for him. This makes me feel like he’s still here celebrating with us all.

✨ I know it’s cliche, but it’s the thought that counts when giving gifts! I’ve caught myself having this anxiety a lot... my gift not being the best gift they got. It’s not about that! Don’t empty your wallet just because you want to give someone the most perfect gift. Because honestly your presence is the best gift you can give them! When you think about the loved ones who have passed away, you miss their presence not the presents they gave you!

✨ It’s wonderful having a big family to celebrate the holidays with. However, it also can be expensive having so many family members to get gifts for! Suggest Secret Santa because I’m sure you’re not the only family member struggling with this. Parts of my family have been doing Secret Santa for years and I LOVE it!!