Big families Christmases are, in theory, wonderful. They are a chance to take some time away from your busy life and catch up with your family. It can be a time to relax and enjoy yourself. But, in reality, these significant family events are often far more stressful than we’d like. We worry about everything that we need to do. You might be busier than ever at work or school. If you’ve got to travel back home for the holidays, or out to meet your family somewhere else, you might be worried about traveling in poor weather or using public transport in the busiest weeks of the year. This kind of stress can ruin the holidays, so let’s take a look at some ways to avoid it. 

Taking the Stress Out of a Big Family Christmas

Plan as Much as You Can

The biggest stress of Christmas is often the sheer amount that we have to do. You might have cards to write, gifts to buy, travel plans to make, people to see, parties to attend. If you are studying, you might have assignments and papers due, and if you are working, you might be busier than ever. 

Planning is often key to reducing your stress levels. Do as much as you can in advance, write to-do lists and wrap as you go. Try not to leave anything until the last minute, and your stress levels should stay in control. 

Travel In Style

If all of your family are traveling together, for a fun, festive vacation, hiring a private jet can take a lot of stress out of the trip, and for a large party, can be well worth the cost. If you are traveling alone, give yourself plenty of time, avoid driving when the roads are bad, or travel business class if you can afford it. However you plan to travel, keep yourself safe, go carefully and never rush.

Order In

Another big stress of Christmas time is the food. Even if you aren’t hosting, you might find yourself stressed out simply watching your parents cook, trying your best to help, but inevitably getting in the way. Ordering prepared food can take away a lot of stress, and make the day run more smoothly, especially if you are having a large family gathering, and everyone has different tastes. 

Take Some Time Out for Yourself

Often just being in a big group for a long time causes us to feel anxious, especially if we aren’t used to it. And, let’s face it, how many of us spend regular time with our whole families? Take some time out for yourself when you need to. Go for a walk, read a book in a quiet corner or take a bath. Just because you are having a family Christmas, doesn’t mean that you must spend every second with your family.

Say No

Saying no at Christmas time can be hard. We want to make everyone happy, and please everyone that we are with. But, if doing things for other people, or things that other people want to do, is affecting your mood, or enjoyment of the season, you need to start saying no.