Take a Minute to Breathe this Christmas

I love the holidays. The music, the festivities, the hot chocolate, the memories. I could go on… but I am so busy that sometimes I miss out on a lot of these things or do not take the time to appreciate them fully. Do you ever feel that way?

The holidays can get very busy, and that can cause stress and strained relationships, which can lead to financial problems (see this post on why that is). So I wanted to take just a second to remind you to take some time to take a breather. Stop for a few minutes and really think about what it is you are doing and why it is important. If you are sharing a holiday meal with family, look around and take in the faces of those around the table. Remember why they are important to you and be sure you let them know you are glad to be there.

You could also plan some time to take a breath and enjoy the holidays. In all the hustle and bustle of planning shopping, holiday parties, gift wrapping, etc. you could go ahead and pencil in some time for yourself. Perhaps you enjoy baking. Why not clear out an afternoon and spend that time teaching your daughter how to make Grandma’s gingerbread cookies. You will be developing a relationship and memories that will last a lifetime, and that is far more important than making sure to be first in line to get the latest new gadget just in time for Christmas.

Another thing to remember during this time is to stick to your budget, and make sure that you and your spouse are both involved in the budget planning. He may budget $50 on gifts, but you may spend $500, and then you wind up fighting. But if you both know up front what the expectations are and what you can afford, then stick with it, you will end up getting to enjoy each other much more. Yes, it can still take some discussion to reach those numbers, but remember that you are both on the same team and talk it through with respect for each other.

So remember what is truly important to you, sit back for a little bit, and take a breath. Think about what this season is really about and enjoy it.

Tags: Christmas, financial problems