Want to keep your sanity this Christmas? There’s buying last-minute gifts, searching online for the perfect appetizer or cocktail recipe, wrapping presents, mailing gifts, and of course getting everything packed up and ready to head home for the holidays. We’ll dive into one fantastic tip to keep your sanity this Christmas.
Plain ol’ adulting is a lot to handle and add in Christmas = stress!
Just the basics of never-ending laundry, household cleaning, and life can be hectic. All the additional planning and purchases for Christmas add in an extra layer of responsibilities and stress. Everyone talks about “the magic of Christmas,” but what about the anxiety of Christmas?!
**Side note, here’s a hilarious video of a woman who was touched by the “magic of Christmas” and embarrassingly gave a stranger a giant huge.**
To keep your sanity this Christmas, use a tip from the man himself: Santa Claus.
Make a List and Check It Twice!
In the classic Christmas carol, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” the verse, “he’s making a list and checking it twice,” is the key to YOUR sanity. Forget about using this verse to keep your sanity with little kiddos to motivate them to be on the nice list.
Keep your sanity by making a massive list of everything you need to-do for the holidays and check it twice!
Make a List and Check it Twice with this (free!) Weekly Planner!
Related Posts:
- Two Simple Ways to Tackle The Holiday Blues
- My Secret Weapon for Holiday Spending
- Holiday Spending 101
Why is a list your secret-sauce to sanity for Christmas?
First off, having a list can lessen your anxiety.
Do you find yourself harping on the same tasks that you need to do and spend a significant time worrying, without accomplishing anything? Instead of taking up so much brain space, when something pops into your head that you need to do, take a few minutes and write it down.
This will ensure that you don’t forget to do it and allows you to focus on your present task in the moment.
Next, having a list of things to buy will help you avoid impulse purchases.
The book, Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, studies show that 60-70% of purchases at groceries stores are impulse buys. When you have a list of the gifts and items you need to buy for Christmas you prevent impulse buys. Writing a list is a great tip when buying groceries too.
Check your list twice!
What I mean by checking your list twice is before you hit the stores take an inventory of what you already have on hand. For example, for gift wrapping you might already have tape, ribbon, and gift tags from last year. Then on your list you’ll make note that you only need wrapping and tissue paper.
This saves money so that you’re not buying items or food that you already have.
A key to saving money and keeping your sanity is checking your list twice.
Double check to make sure you’re thinking through everything you need at the store. Then you’ll not only prevent impulse purchases to save money (again we’re talking it can be 60-70% savings), you also prevent multiple trips to the store.
Running errands is A LOT easier when you don’t have to go to the grocery store umpteen times. Your handy list will help make one and done trips.
Also, if you’re traveling for the holidays make a list of items to bring like snacks, magazines to read, etc. You can save by making those purchases ahead of time at a grocery store versus the overpriced airports or gas stations.
If you have a million things to-do before Christmas, don’t worry.
You’ll get er’ done. Just remember this one fantastic and easy tip: make a list and check it twice.
Merry Christmas!
P.S. I get it, managing money is stressful and the holidays are expensive AF! I hope you enjoy the holiday season and ramp up for the start of a new year. Want a fresh start? I’d love to help you.
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