Holiday Hacks to Keep You Organized and Sane

Oh, the holidays. That magical time of year when we’re expected to do everything we normally do – laundry, work, cooking, cleaning, meal prep, the list goes on… and on top of it, we’re baking cookies, writing holiday cards, figuring out what to do for our co-workers, and picking out the perfect gift for that person who has everything. How is anyone supposed to keep up? Luckily, nobody has to figure it out alone this year. This week, my amazing co-host Linda Yates has compiled a list of things you can do starting right now to help make the holiday season your best (and most easeful) yet.

 

Does Cortisol = The Grinch?

You’ve probably heard, read, or seen TikToks about cortisol and how it’s causing all of the problems in your life. Cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone,” can have negative impacts on your body if you’re experiencing high levels of stress over a prolonged period of time. 

But cortisol doesn’t just disrupt our sleep and destroy our mental health – it helps manage our metabolism, blood pressure, and fight-or-flight responses. I only mention this so that no one thinks that a little bit of typical day-to-day stress is going to destroy their immune system or gut health. Those impacts (and others) come from too much cortisol over too many weeks and months. Experiencing a bit of stress here and there is normal.

If you’re worried you won’t have time to de-stress during the holidays, you’re not alone. What’s better and easier than de-stressing? Getting organized to reduce your stress from the outset. 

 

Getting Organized for the Holidays

If you haven’t done something like this already, it’s not too late in the season to get a dedicated holiday notebook/planner going (or do it all digitally). Include a calendar to mark your important events and dates, and schedule yourself some time to prep for those events. Stick to your schedule to avoid crunch time as you get closer to those big dates.

For anyone who likes to cook during the holidays (like me), this is the perfect time to identify simple, heartwarming recipes that satisfy your cravings, wallet, and can either be prepped in advance or at least have non-perishable ingredients you can have on hand. 

 

Budgeting During the Holiday Season

Money is probably the last thing you want to talk or think about during the holidays. No matter what you’re trying to balance, a budget is a great way to stay aligned with your financial goals. And rather than looking at exactly how much you’re willing to spend, make your target budget low to account for unexpected costs that always arise around the holidays.

 

Don’t Forget to Delegate

What makes this time of year special is spending extra time with our loved ones. If you’re so busy making this the best holiday season ever, where are you going to find an extra hour to spend with your parents or kids (or both)? I think one of the most fun ways of doing this is involving them in your holiday tasks. Once you’ve identified the things that only YOU can do, involve family members in sharing some of the load!

 

Three Holiday Hacks

1. Have a gift stash. Get a few unisex items, like coffee tumblers, thermoses, mugs, shot glasses, or even gift cards, and have them on hand in case you forgot anyone (hey, it happens… you’re human!)
    
2. Rather than buying a gift for each co-worker or kid’s teacher in your life, if you’re a baker, put together one massive batch of cookies and freeze the dough in cookie-sized portions. Make small, fresh batches for each person as the need arises, and package them up with a bow. Done! (If you’re not much of a baker, you can get pre-made dough from the store).
    
3. Focus on experiences, not gifts. Whether you go ice skating, decorate gingerbread houses, or take a snowy walk at your local botanical garden, the experiences are what matter the most (not the price tag on the presents). 

 

Ready or not, the holidays are here. If you can get a little bit ahead of the craziness, you’ll be just fine. Thank you so much for checking out these tips for making it through the holidays with your sanity intact – we’re right here with you! If you want to hear more on these topics or hear about Linda’s personal holiday experiences, check out Episode 011 of Nourify & Beautify.