Are you getting those not-so-helpful emails that keep reminding you how many days there are before Christmas?
“Yes, I know Big-Box-Stores-Everywhere there’s 10 days left. Thank you… SO MUCH… for reminding me.”
Enter the dreaded Christmas gift-giving stress monsters. They know it makes your blood pressure spike, your heart beat a little faster, and they hope you’ll be inspired to buy their stuff right now.
But, we’re on to them and can choose to feel differently about it.
Ok, so things may not be going according to your plan. This happens to me pretty much every year and it used to really bum me out. Over time I’ve shifted my perspective and helped keep that creeping holiday stress at bay.
So despite my best intentions and planning I always wind up here: a week before Christmas with more on my plate than I wish.
Here’s my Perfect-Plan-Implodes-Its-Time-for-Plan-B Plan:
Prioritize. Pivot. Persevere.
And when necessary, we Put Off.
Step 1: Prioritize
First priority is shipping! Get those packages in the mail. Doesn’t matter who it is. Doesn’t matter if you’re shipping yourself or just ordering online.
Get those boxes moving!
Anything that you want to ship to someone out of town that you haven’t shipped yet should be top on your list. You’ll still be able to get it there but everyday you delay from here will cost a bit more for that precious before Christmas delivery.
And if the “get there before Christmas” price is too steep to stomach; I’ve got you. Just keep reading.
Step 2: Pivot
So, it’s about this time of the season where I realize I may have been a bit overambitious in my DIY aspirations. But do I let it freak me out anymore?
NO WAY.
Time to pivot.
That might mean buying a gift instead of making one. (Although with online shopping and shipping deadlines, you’ll likely want to do that ASAP too.)
That might mean simplifying your DIY ambitions (either by streamlining your ideas or eliminating some).
Readjust your plan and simplify wherever possible. Do it the easy way: cross people off your list. If you had any “nice to do’s” move them to the bottom of the list and even off the bottom of the page.
It’s do the “must-dos” and probably only those if you have time.
Either way, your plan was just that: a set of intentions. You can change it! It’s ok. This is the step that gives me room to breathe.
Step 3: Persevere
This is one of those cup half-full or half-empty situations. You can think “OMG, there’s only 10 days left ‘til Christmas!” or “Wow, there’s still 10 days left ‘til Christmas, including a whole weekend.”
Focus on the second mindset and you’ll feel a lot calmer (and when you’re feeling good and calm you can really get more done and actually enjoy it too).
This is the “put on your big-girl panties and do the darn thing” pep-talk. With less than a week left the best practice is to do a dump list, prioritize the items, and then schedule the rest of the tasks for each day this week.
Step 4: When necessary, Put it Off
A late-but-great and thoughtful gift is better than no gift, and definitely better than a cop-out drug store checkout line last-minute “it’s-the-thought-that-counts” (but it doesn’t really) gift.
Studies show that being delivered on the day is overrated when it comes to giftee satisfaction. So next time you think of a great idea but the lead time seems to long, think again. Better to go with your great idea that comes a little later.
So whether there’s just not enough time to finish your ambitious handmade project or something got delayed in shipping, it’s ok.
But what do you do for Christmas?
My favorite thing is to wrap up a picture of the item or something that teases the gift.
One time, a friend was making me a quilted baby blanket and she didn’t have it finished for the baby shower. So, she wrapped up a little box with some fabric swatches from the quilt. It was very sweet and I was genuinely excited to see the finished quilt!
Another option is to make a paper “Your Gift is Coming” voucher. You can make it like a ticket or even a “coming soon” movie poster for extra fun.
If you give them something to open: a box, envelope, scroll, whatever floats your boat, then it shows the thought you put into it, rather than it just being an afterthought.
I mean, the wise men didn’t bring their gifts to baby Jesus until 12 days after he was born. If it was good enough for the Savior of all Mankind, it’s good enough for your friends and family
But if I can pass on one thing it’s this: You’ve got this. Whatever you’re able to do, you’re doing your best, and it’s enough. Really.
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