{"id":3853,"date":"2016-12-07T04:00:17","date_gmt":"2016-12-07T04:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/?p=3853"},"modified":"2026-03-09T15:59:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:59:39","slug":"5-tips-stress-free-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/5-tips-stress-free-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"5 tips for stress-free Christmas holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s December again. For some this is a wonderful time of candles, cookies, friends and celebration. For others, however, December is a month of rushing, stressing, no time at all and too much sweets.<\/strong>
\nDo you recognize yourself in the second category? Do not despair-just use my favorite 5 tips to de-stress your December and have the most relaxed Christmas ever.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Outsmart the December hectic<\/h3>\n

Since I have a family of my own, I regularly think of my mother in December. She used to get so stressed when Christmas came close: do all the shopping for the holidays: what to cook? Who would come to visit? Do we have all the presents for the people we are going to visit? What to buy for the 2-4 days that the supermarkets were closed for a couple of days over Christmas? (this was in Germany, during the 1970s and 1980s)? I so clearly remember her slightly stressed face and absent mind when we kids were asking if we could bake cookies or handcraft some Christmas ornaments.
\nAs a kid I always wondered why she didn\u2019t seem to enjoy the \u2018most wonderful time of the year\u2019 (according to a well-known Christmas song) as much as we kids. Of course, years going by, I understood better and better.
\nI still love December, and over the years I\u2019ve learned , also using the memory of my mother\u2019s slightly absent face,\u00a0 that December is more enjoyable for everyone around me if I manage to relax. If I manage to enjoy, smile, meet friends for Christmas crafting and loose myself in baking cookies with the kids. I learned that the even the perfect gift is in fact less precious tan the festive anticipation dominating the weeks approaching Christmas.
\nAre you also fond of December but do you tend to end each year feeling rather exhausted? Over the years, I have developed some great strategies to fully enjoy this holiday month with all its lights calmly and relaxed.<\/p>\n

Tip 1. Permit yourself a slightly un-perfect Christmas<\/h3>\n

Accept that Christmas is not going to be perfect. Your perfect Christmas tree may miss a branch. Your cozy dinner party is dominated by a family discussion. The beautiful dress of your daughter is spiced by the contents of a caramel-filled chocolate sweet. The same sweets that now sail through the room which annoys granny.
\nAnd the point is: it does not have to be<\/em> perfect. Where did we get the idea that Christmas is above all about appearances? From America? Where the Christmas season seems to be all about consumption and appearances?
\nWhen I grew up Christmas was much quieter. Less decoration, less gifts, less hype. More simplicity, and more fun. Christmas was festive, candle-lit and cozy.
\nChristmas does not need to be perfect. It is not going to be perfect either. Because just as you have it all perfectly organized, you will discover that compulsion is contra productive for a pleasant atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Tip 2. No need to overindulge<\/h3>\n

At Christmas, it is tradition to eat and drink a lot. But that does not mean you have to practice that tradition. It’s not necessary to overload your body because you are celebrating Christmas. This applies especially for people who are (high) sensitive.<\/a>
\nIn fact, you’ll enjoy the holiday period even more if you’re comfortable in your body. Instead of overindulging, try some of the following:<\/p>\n