Yesterday I needed to grab a few things from the store, and much like many of you guys, this time of year is so special to me. My mom always made the holidays feel like the most magical time of the year, so I hope to carry that tradition on for my own family.

I know from experience, it's so easy to get caught up in the holidaze and start buying all the newest and latest decor, gadgets, etc. And let me tell you, just the mere thought of "one in, one out" — has helped me decide whether I truly need something or not.

Big and I are still figuring out our holiday season together as a married couple, and one thing is for sure, we want it to be fun and exciting but calm and cozy. So we're still figuring out our holiday collections, ornaments, knickknacks, and traditions. To not get overwhelmed this season, here are a few things I'm working to implement, and they might be helpful for you and your family too!

Five quick ideas to help you better enjoy the holidays:

01 Keeping the furniture tidy & welcoming

I've always said, as long as you keep your house clean, guests don't randomly stop by, but as soon as your home is disorderly or unkept is the moment someone decides to stop by unannounced. After sitting on the couch or in our oversized chairs, I like to re-poof the pillows and blankets and keep it tidy and welcoming for the next time we get to lounge.

By the way, do you ever stop by other people's homes unannounced? Do you find it rude if someone stops by your house unannounced?

02 Don't put it down; put it away.

With the holidays, it's only natural for more clutter to be lying around the house. I've been trying to make it a habit of putting things away immediately after using them. For instance, putting the morning SPF back in the drawer instead of sitting it on the counter...just to have to put it away later. Hanging Clara's leash after a walk, instead of sitting it on the island and putting my coffee cup in the dishwasher instead of sitting it in the sink. Small things like that take zero to little effort now but yield significant results at the end of the day. Plus, who doesn’t love a tidy and well-kept home?

03 Planning ahead

We are planning early and making a mental list for Christmas gifts we'd like to give this year and parties and places of where and when we need to be somewhere. Discussing this with my husband has alleviated a lot of stress and has allowed me to prepare sooner than later. Planning, for us, is a multistep process. First, we brain dump all of the gifts/places/parties and talk through everything, and then we'll put pen to paper — or type to reminders app — for a more solidified plan.

Last year, we started a Christmas list in the Reminders App and listed all of the families and friends we wanted to give gifts to, and then under each name, we'd write what we were planning on gifting them. Then we would "check off" as we bought or made the gifts and could visually see a running tally. The cool thing about using the Reminders App, or something similar, is you can clear the list after each Christmas and then start writing in gift ideas as the next year comes and goes. Plus, you do not have to start from scratch because all of the names are already there!

04 If it takes less than 90 seconds, do it now.

This notion complements the idea above, 'don't put it down, put it away' — if a task can be done quickly, why put it off for later? Responding to text messages, making calls for appointments, putting the dishes in the dishwasher, wiping down the counters, etc. If it takes less than 90 seconds, get it done now, so the task at hand isn't taking up mental space. For instance, making phone calls to schedule appointments is one of those things that I don't like doing. So I'll put it off to do later, and then I'm just sitting there dreading making that phone call until I get it done. I could be utilizing the mental capacity for something far more important than making a simple phone call.

Responding to text messages in a timely matter. I go back and forth on this one. If any of my friends read this, they probably laugh because they know I'm typically the last to respond or interact in a group chat. It's usually several hours after the conversation is over. I am notorious for having my texts and other phone notifications set to 'do not disturb.' I went through a phase several years ago where the constant rings and beeps were stressing me out, so I started using the DND function, and, at the time, it benefited me. I didn't feel strapped to my phone and needed to be constantly available to anyone and everyone. I guess my thoughts were that they would call if it were an emergency. But if it takes less than 90 seconds to respond/interact — why not do it now? On the other hand, Apple, please offer us the ability to mark text messages as 'unread'. 🤪

05 Don't forget to take care of yourself.

Even (especially) with all of the hustle & bustle, don't forget to make time for yourself. Treat yourself to your favorite act of self-care, like a hot bubble bath, journaling, a quick workout session, or even 15 minutes here and there to do your favorite thing. Try not to forget about those daily or weekly habits that make you feel good because you're busy creating a fun and memorable holiday season for your family.

How do you keep your cool through the stress and chaos that comes with the holiday season?

xx,
Riss

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