Have Yourself a Calmer Little Christmas

Kelly Pietrangeli - 3 Dec 15

I used to get so stressed-out about Christmas. I was hosting my in-laws every year for a whole week with babies and toddlers thrown into the mix.

There were presents to buy, meals to plan, a house to make look festive, plus navigating my way through ridiculous crowds at the shops…

Missing out on my pre-Christmas online food delivery slot once sent me into a hysterical wreck.

I wanted to enjoy it all and be a fun-lovin’ mama for my kiddoes, but it was really hard.

I’d feel overwhelmed, pissed-off and grumpy like Scrooge. I didn’t actually enjoy Christmas, which sucks when I look back on it.

Can you relate?

What I’ve come to realise is that when I try to do too much, have perfectionist tendencies, lack organisation or don’t take care of myself – it’s hard to stay positive.

It’s taken me years to learn how to navigate my way through the holidays without a meltdown.

Here’s what I have to remind myself to do every December – and what you can do too:

1. Create a Christmas Command Centre

Use a dedicated notebook or a list app on your phone. Here’s where you’ll keep all of those to-do’s that need to happen before Christmas. If anything can wait until the New Year, leave it out so you don’t even have to look at it until then.

Once you get all of your to-do’s out of your head, off random post-it notes and scraps of paper and have it all in one place, it’s much easier for you to prioritise and start ticking things off.

This is a good time to see what you can eliminate (see number 2) or delegate (number 3).

2. Drop perfectionism.

If you’re prone to over-complicating things (like I am), allow yourself to take the easier option. No one will care if you’ve wrapped the presents with neatly tucked ends and perfectly matching bows. Or if you’ve bought Christmas desserts instead of baking from scratch. Good enough truly is good enough. Remove anything unnecessary from your list and breathe a sigh of relief that you’re letting yourself off the hook.

3. Ask for help.

Don’t be a control freak. Recognise when you’re being a martyr and those passive-aggressive tendencies are creeping in. Don’t wait for someone to read your mind; tell them (in your nice voice) that you could use a hand and accept all help graciously. No, they may not do it the same way you would, but the point is – you won’t have to do it.

4. Lighten up!

Mothers who take it all too seriously are no fun to be around. It’s easy to get so caught up in to-do lists and shopping that you turn into a snappy bitch. (Or is that just me?) Remember, this is meant to be the season of fun and festivity!

Laugh at yourself and situations you find yourself in. See the funny side of whatever life throws at you. You’ll feel less stressed and your kids will get to see your fun side for a change.

While you’re on a roll, pop some popcorn, snuggle up with your kids under a blanket and watch some Christmas classics. Wear a stupid Christmas jumper, don your Santa hat, croon to your favourite holiday tunes.

Your kids would rather have you in a good mood than anything else right now. That’s the most important thing I always have to remember.

If you want to have your Best December Yet, get the My Dream December Worksheet from Project Me. Filling in the blanks will get you clear about what you have to do and what you want to do this December. I created this for myself and it works so well I’m now gifting it to you.

Happy holidays busy mama!

photo credit: … early i-pod for X-mas! via photopin (license)

Kelly Pietrangeli

Kelly Pietrangeli is the creator of Project Me for Busy Mothers, helping women find a happier balance between the kids - and everything else. Mixing practicality with self-awareness, Kelly helps mothers get on top of their endless to-do’s and see life beyond the laundry pile. Running on solar power, Kelly lives in Spain with her husband and two teenage boys.

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