Tips for Simplifying Your Holiday

This post is sponsored by Good Food Made Simple #SimplifyTheHolidays

Is holiday stress getting to you? Too much family drama? Too many things to mark off your list? Too many gifts to buy and ship? If there is one thing that my parents taught me, it’s that the holiday’s shouldn’t be about “things” and shouldn’t stress you out. Here are some tips that help our family enjoy the holidays and reduces our stress level.

1. Give the Gift of Experiences. Christmas presents don’t always have to be “things,” they could be special experiences like a day at the park with mommy, or a special weekend getaway to see some holiday lights, or a full day unplugged from distractions. Your kids will love their special time doing things with you and making memories.
2. Limit the Gift Count. Don’t feel like you have to indulge your children with every gift on their wish list. If they are like my kids, that wish list will keep growing and growing and growing. We stick with 1-2 big gifts and a few smaller necessities and gifts. We love to give pajamas and clothes and things our kids need mixed in with the toys. There is a great guideline that I’ve seen shared on social media over the past few years (original source unknown) that focuses on giving 4 gifts to each person; something they want, something they need, something they wear, and something they read. While we don’t stick to only 4 gifts, we don’t do too many more than that!!
3. Donate your time. Take some time away from the shopping mall to give back to your community. Volunteer in the classroom, volunteer at an animal rescue shelter, visit with shut-ins or at a retirement community, or serve meals to the homeless. Taking a few minutes to do something for others will teach your children about “giving” and help them understand that there are people out there who aren’t as fortunate as them.
4. Stay home this year. If you are always traveling to see every member of your family over the holidays, consider staying at home this year and relaxing. Christmas Day can be stressful for many families who hustle from house to house trying to see everyone. Instead, make an effort to visit your family during your holiday break. Spend a random day with the Grandparents. Spend an evening taking your Aunt out to dinner. Spread your holiday visits over the period of a week and you may enjoy those visits a little more.
5. Simplify your breakfast with Good Food Made Simple. Did you know that you can find healthy food that’s good for you in the freezer section of your grocery store that doesn’t suck? Good Food Made Simple is as close to homemade as you can get. I was skeptical, I had to try it to believe it. Their Breakfast Bowls (like the Southwestern Veggie Bowl) tastes like I just made it on the stove, but is ready in under 5 minutes! Their pancake puffs (little Belgian-style pancake bites) are fun and fresh. Their Steel Cut Oatmeal is filling and doesn’t take hours to cook. I can’t even make it this quick in my Instant Pot. They also have healthy entrees and snacks for the whole family; like mac-n-cheese!! All of their products are made from scratch GMO-free ingredients. Many are farm fresh and organic. I never thought I’d love frozen food so much….and have a healthy breakfast for those mornings we’re rushing around.

Make sure you visit Good Food Made Simple on Facebook and enter to win fun prizes and gift certificates through the end of the year. When entering, be sure to get a $1 off coupon to try Good Food Made Simple for yourself. Their current #SimplifyTheHolidays Facebook giveaway is for a $50 Visa Gift Card and ends 12/19/16.

How do you Simplify Your Holidays? What tips would you add to the list?