In a nutshell:

• The sources of anxiety and stress during the holidays are multiple, but they have their solutions;
• Browse the web to find ideas of gifts at reasonable prices;
• Think strategically to put together an inexpensive menu;
• Do not hesitate to shop in different locations to get best prices;
• Use the web to buy the cheapest airlines tickets;
• Prepare to relax during your flight;
• Prepare your road trip if you drive;
• Put boundaries in place to have a pleasant time.

It is that time of the year again. You know, the one that makes you stressed and anxious. You are not alone to feel this way. For many of us the end of the year is a source of worry and trepidation. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate this period.

The holiday season is a time when you are supposed to be joyful, but many of us experience it rather as an obligation. Never mind if you are tired, exhausted, and not in the mood. It is the holidays and you have got to perform.

If the holidays are hard for you, you do not have to apologize. You are human and you have the right to feel the way you do.

After putting the decorations all over the house, the first thing you must do is buy presents for everyone. What will you buy to your uncle or you cousin? You are not quite sure. You do not see them that often and you have no clue about what they would like to get.

If you have trouble finding ideas of presents for either man or woman, just do a quick research on the internet. You will definitely find something at a reasonable price that will be a hit with the person you are trying to please.

The question of finances will not be limited to how much you should spend on each present. You do not want to appear stingy, but at the same time everything costs an arm and a leg. You will also have to spend a certain amount of money if you need to travel to see your family, or to prepare meals if everybody gathers at your place.

If you are cooking, you will have to put a menu together, taking into account what each person likes or dislikes, what each one can or cannot eat ( I am thinking of allergies or chronic diseases), and what is convenient for your budget.

When you will have determined what you will cook, you will have to do the shopping. Afterwards, you will have to cook. All of this is going to take time and be tiring.

With regard to the budget, try to limit yourself to traditional and cheaper vegetables. For instance, you could prepare mashed potatoes, lentils, sweet potatoes, rice, fresh corn, or carrots to accompany your turkey or your honey roasted ham. You can choose to prepare an apple pie for the dessert as apples are quite affordable.

Whatever you decide to cook, explore ethnic markets where prices are usually more affordable for certain vegetables and items. For instance, rice will be cheaper and maybe even of better quality in an Indian store.

In addition, it is a good idea to shop in different stores if your budget is tight. Do not forget farmers markets which could be a source of vegetables and fruits at reasonable prices.

Maybe you are not going to cook, but you will travel. This could be almost as exhausting as entertaining at home. You might have to drive far away or in bad weather which will tire you, or you could have to take a plane, in which case, you will have to book the tickets.

Try to find the cheapest fare by consulting websites such as skip lagged for domestic US routes or Kayak. You could use an app such as Calm or Breethe to help you relax during the trip. If you prefer to read, you could buy a few used books (Alibris has low prices but check the shipping costs) or download a book or two on a tablet.

If you go by car, try to find the shortest route, it will be less tiring. Prepare well in advance and if possible find areas where you could stop if you feel too exhausted. A little nap is often enough to recuperate.

As if material contingencies were not enough, you might have to deal with difficult family dynamics which tend to become even more tense when everyone is gathered under one roof. Or, it can also happen that you have lost someone dear and that makes it even harder to celebrate the holidays and be cheerful.

Whatever the situation, if necessary do not hesitate to set boundaries. For example, agree not to discuss politics. Also, take care of yourself. This is a must. Practice meditation, breath work, visualization, gratitude, hobbies,… Do not forget exercise and healthy eating. All these stress busting techniques will help you cruise the holiday season more easily.

For many, the holidays mean doing the emotional labor of keeping everyone happy while your own needs take a back seat. This does not need to be the case. By implementing the few pieces of advice stated above, you will keep most of stress and anxiety at bay.

If you need help with this, I am here to help you. Just make an appointment with me and I will be delighted to help you.