The rustling autumn leaves are replaced by a layer of white snow underfoot, the bare tree branches are dressed in a string of shining lights, instead of the usual hits in the store, Michael Bublé plays and almost every house wafts the smell of Christmas . The annual race for gifts for kids, husband, mom, dad, brothers, sisters, cousins, girlfriends, colleagues, dog, godparents, neighbor, second cousins, third first cousins and other relatives you may not have seen in five years can begin. And that everything still needs to be packed…ugh.

Stress, anxiety, worry… don't really sound like holiday emotions, do they? And where are you in all this?

I know that we want to turn this holiday into a magical one, to put a nine-course feast on the table and conjure up friendly, a picture of a cute and happy family. Beautiful. However, it is beautiful only until the moment, for the sake of this idyll you do not sacrifice your own peace and harmony.

Which of us probably gifts for our loved ones already prepared a month in advance, but for others, a last-minute run to the shops brings nothing but enormous headache. How to choose the right gift? How many distant relatives should you give anything at all? Maybe make something with your hands? Maybe a card? How was it supposed to be packed properly? Will he like it? And her?

No... you forgot the most important question - How not to get lost in the Christmas jam and give to yourself, not only others?

Stick to the "basics"

What does Christmas mean to you? What makes you feel festive? Are they gifts? Or being together? Or maybe someone a holiday concert? Catch this feeling and hold on to it so that this holiday does not become a burden to you.

Communication is the key

For me, Christmas is a magical time that I want to spend with my family. We don't overdo it with gifts either we do a raffle, or we donate the money intended for gifts to charity. Try to agree with your loved ones about gift giving that does not cause unnecessary stress in your home.

Define boundaries

Do you want to celebrate Christmas in the Canary Islands? Go ahead! Do you want to bring a vegan dinner bacon pie to the festive table instead? Do it! Understand how you want to spend this holiday, set boundaries and learn to say no to people who insist that you host 20 guests for 3 days in your home, or make a drama at a time when you don't want to go to Christmas market. You can refuse.

Give yourself

Really, in all this mess of Christmas trees, gingerbread and reindeer, this is the right time to stop, take a breath and pamper yourself. When giving to others, we often forget to give to ourselves, so finally pause the rush, a couple does deep inhales and exhales, drowns out the noise in your mind and asks yourself with kindness and tolerance what it is that you want to give yourself And give.

Christmas is really a time of miracles. See the miracle of your holiday both in being together and in being alone. take your time let go, enjoy, find harmony within yourself and bring light to others.

May it be warm and magical!

Find your Christmas gifts here: GIFTS FOR HOLIDAYS , GIFT ONLINE SHOP

Author of the article: LIENE URESINA

Photo: ARTIS SOUP

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