Surviving December | Keeping Stress Away


The holiday season is in full swing and with that comes a lot of parties, commitments and stress! Are you seeing everyone? Have you bought all the presents? Are they all wrapped? I feel like I’m eating too much holiday food! These are all thoughts that have gone through my mind and I decided that I wasn’t going to let this holiday season get away from me like they have in past years. I truly want to enjoy the season and not fuss over things that don’t matter. I wanted to share a couple of the ways that I have been keeping stress away this month! 


Saying “Yes” to all the holiday movies!


There really isn’t much on TV except for holiday movies and I’m totally embracing all of them. From Lifetime to of course Hallmark and now with Netflix having their own holiday movies, I watch a couple a week while I’m doing things on the computer or just relaxing! Of course there are the “classics” like The Holiday, Christmas Vacation (which I watched for the first time all the way through a couple weeks ago) & Love Actually, but the one I really love watching every year is the 12 Dates of Christmas which you can find on Netflix! 


Limiting Social Commitments


Maybe it’s a little backwards to want to do go to less parties this month, but last year it felt like I had an event every single night of the week and I was exhausted by the time Christmas actually rolled around. I have limited myself to one event per weeknight, which may sound like a limited number, but in order to not run myself ragged, I think this is the best for me! The weekends are a different story – I’m happy to enjoy all the holiday parties during the weekend! 


Wrapping a little bit each night 


I actually really enjoy wrapping presents even though I am terrible gift wrapper, but I get overwhelmed after 3 or 4 presents. What G & I have done is wrapped a few presents here and there. Between Yankee swaps, gift exchanges with friends and family wrapping I definitely get overwhelmed, so it’s easier for me to try to get it done ahead of time. When all else fails, I use a gift bag with lots of tissue paper! 


Getting Outside 


It might seem a little crazy to want to be outside when it’s super cold out, but the fresh air really does help with feeling overwhelmed. Two of my favorite times of the day are my walks to the train to and from work. Those 10-15 minutes in the crispness of the day really clear my head! 


All the baking 


via


I’m not the best baker, I actually can’t really bake anything other than banana bread, but our neighbors are having a baking party this weekend and I think it’s the perfect way to enjoy December! Sweets equal the best destresser ever! 





What are some ways you keep stress away during December?


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46 Comments

  1. Unknown
    December 13, 2017 / 10:23 am

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    December 13, 2017 / 10:32 am

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  3. MONICA SORS
    December 13, 2017 / 10:59 am

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    Mónica Sors
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  4. Rachel McCarthy
    December 13, 2017 / 11:14 am

    You are so right, this time of the year is seriously stressful! I have been trying to wrap gifts as they arrive so I don't have to do it all at once. And yes to Christmas movies! I watched a few over the weekend and it was such a nice break from reality. I need to watch more haha! Happy Wednesday, Biana!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

  5. Andrea Nine
    December 13, 2017 / 11:17 am

    Oh goodness, did I ever need this. Each night, Mr. Nine and I are working like crazy to put everything away at the new house and Christmas is getting neglected which stresses me out, lol! I need to stop and breath and we give ourselves a time limit each night to sit down and chill. Have a beautiful day!

  6. a little bit of emily
    December 13, 2017 / 11:48 am

    I hear you about saying no and limiting your events! This week was a busy one and I chose to keep one day free after work, which has helped my mindset a lot! And baking is seriously one of my favorite destressers – I don't know what it is, but it has always helped!

  7. Brianne
    December 13, 2017 / 11:51 am

    I agree that this time of year can be so stressful! I'm trying to have less social engagements as well. It's usually so stressful going back to MN trying to rush around & make sure that I get to see everyone. Not this year. I've only set up 2 or 3 things & the rest will be spent at home with family.

  8. Katherine
    December 13, 2017 / 11:54 am

    Ok, those cookies are so cute!! I need that recipe!

    Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com

  9. Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
    December 13, 2017 / 11:55 am

    These are all such great tips girl! The holidays are usually so stressful (at least for me) limiting your events is such a great idea. I always over commit and end up being so stressed about trying to get everything done. And yes to getting outside!

  10. Rachel Emily
    December 13, 2017 / 12:13 pm

    Yes yes YES too all of these!! I'm trying so hard to not get stressed out about holiday stuff this year. Easier said than done but at least we are trying to be intentional!!

  11. Blaire Bingham
    December 13, 2017 / 12:32 pm

    These are such great tips! This year has been more stressful than other years in the past, so I will definitely be using some of these tactics to be present during this holiday season.
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

  12. Sarita @ it's my girls' world
    December 13, 2017 / 12:52 pm

    I do the wrapping thing a few at a time while watching a holiday movie. Makes it so much more manageable!

  13. Rosy Outlook - Fashion & Lifestyle by Kelly Rose
    December 13, 2017 / 12:57 pm

    These are all great tips–especially because work gets sort of crazy for me in December! I LOVE 12 Dates of Christmas and I think the other one I really love is called Spirit of Christmas also on Netflix! I also totally agree that even though it's freezing, getting outside is a major de-stressor!

    Rosy Outlook

  14. P!nky
    December 13, 2017 / 1:25 pm

    These are so great when it gets to crunch time!

  15. Sarah Shaneyfelt
    December 13, 2017 / 1:31 pm

    These are all great ideas! I really should try to wrap a few presents a night because I still have EVERYTHING to wrap haha! Baking is a destresser for me too! I just have to make sure not to eat it all ha!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

  16. Marie
    December 13, 2017 / 1:39 pm

    These are such great ideas. I have been doing a little wrapping every night, it does make it a bit easier. As much as I love the holiday season, I do find it to be incredibly stressful and I'm trying as hard as possible not to let it overwhelm me. I find staying away from all the treats does help too. Limiting my sugar intake helps alot and I also try not to over caffeinate myself

  17. Rebecca Jo
    December 13, 2017 / 2:13 pm

    With the new puppy, I'm slacking in all things Christmas. …. But puppies. ❤ haha

  18. emily | shell chic'd
    December 13, 2017 / 2:19 pm

    Man oh man I need this advice! I let myself get so stressed this time of year and fail to really enjoy the holidays! Saying NO is one thing I especially need to work on 🙂

  19. Caroline The Petite Fashionista
    December 13, 2017 / 2:32 pm

    Good for you girl! I was SO stressed out last week I think that I drove Chris crazy haha. I made a promise to just enjoy this time of year and not worry about anything that doesn't matter. It has also been freezing here but I have made a point to get outside. That cold air definitely helps. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and I hope that you have a great day!!

  20. Unknown
    December 13, 2017 / 2:44 pm

    Baking is so fun! I love baking during the holidays to eliminate stress.
    sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/

  21. caschelldorf
    December 13, 2017 / 2:59 pm

    I've also carved out time to relax this year, instead of over scheduling myself. It's not worth it to me! I live out of state from friends and family so the 10 days I spend at home are whirlwind of activity. I need a vacation from my vacation! Saying no and being really intentional with my time have really helped. Also, I stopped doing gifts with friends, instead we do something together, whether it's making a gingerbread house with their kids, checking out Christmas lights, or going to the Nutcracker as a girls night…I would rather spend time with the people I love than get a gift that I could have bought myself. I DO miss wrapping though (I actually LOVE to wrap gifts and I do love to thoughtfully purchase things for people, so I still have done gifts with my family). I ended up saving myself a ton of stress and Amazoning everything this year. Hope you have a great holiday with your family!

  22. Rachel F
    December 13, 2017 / 3:00 pm

    Those gingerbread cookies look DIVINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, so adorable!! Holiday baking (and tasting!) is the best! XOXO, R

  23. Elise Von E
    December 13, 2017 / 3:09 pm

    Great tips to keeping your stress level at bay. I have been a lunatic the past few days, I need to take these tips into consideration and relax.
    Great post!

    xx, Elise
    sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com

  24. Karly @ What Karly Said
    December 13, 2017 / 3:24 pm

    These are great tips! Getting outside/keeping up with my gym routine have been key for me. It’s easy to stay inside when it’s cold and snowy, but getting out reallt clears your head!

  25. Kate at Green Fashionista
    December 13, 2017 / 3:39 pm

    YES to all of this! I'm already overwhelmed with how full the calendar is, and I looked at H last night and said, "I just want to enjoy an evening at home with the Christmas lights, while wrapping presents and baking cookies". He said, "Then do it!" Ha! Cheers to enjoying and savoring every second of the season <3

    Green Fashionista

  26. Nadine
    December 13, 2017 / 3:43 pm

    Yes to all of these things!!! I have been saying yes to anything festive and fun…including all the yummies. I want to savor every moment of the holidays and try to slow down the time just a little. I haven't watched 12 Dates yet but I am going to try and squeeze that one in this weekend, it looks cute!

  27. Meg Taylor
    December 13, 2017 / 4:28 pm

    These are such good ideas! I love the idea of getting outside, even if it's cold. Unfortunately, the one I can't do this year is wrap each night. All our gifts are being shipped to my father-in-law's house, so it'll be a wrapping marathon on Christmas Eve 😉

    Meg, Borrowed Heaven

  28. Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
    December 13, 2017 / 4:31 pm

    Great tips girl! I especially like the reminder to get outside. I am utilizing my phone reminders list where I set a time to remind me to do something or bring something at the exact time I'll need to remember! I just watched Christmas Vacation for the first time too! Adding 12 Dates of Christmas to my list!
    xo
    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

  29. sara [at] journey of doing
    December 13, 2017 / 4:34 pm

    I'm failing at all these things… but I don't feel stressed yet either – except on the work front. (LOL… false sense of security. I have NOTHING done for Christmas.) I like that you're being mindful about the season though! I think that's the best way to handle it all!

  30. The Gluten Free Guide to Everything
    December 13, 2017 / 4:48 pm

    Great post! I'm definitely agreeing to the baking and watching christmas movies! I watched ''White christmas'', it's from 1954, but it gave me so much fashion inspiration and it's such a nice feel good movie!

    Marije | thegfguide.com

  31. Lily (Beauty With Lily)
    December 13, 2017 / 5:00 pm

    I completely agree with all of these, Biana! Oh and you can't go wrong with hot chocolate and checking out Christmas lights!

  32. Tanya Dufour
    December 13, 2017 / 5:31 pm

    I definitely like to get wrapping done gradually instead of all at once. I have a ton of people to buy for so wrapping 30+ gifts at once would be SO overwhelming. I love watching Christmas movies while I wrap.

  33. Annette
    December 13, 2017 / 5:39 pm

    Really great post, I actually love the baking part but even more so buying of all the holiday treats, cookies, cakes!
    fashiontrendforward.com

  34. Brooke
    December 13, 2017 / 5:46 pm

    Great ways to keep that holiday stress away. I've also been watching a lot of holiday movies. Keeps me in the holiday spirit!

    Brooke
    pumps and push-ups

  35. A Dash of Pretty
    December 13, 2017 / 5:57 pm

    I love everything on this list and relaxing for the holidays!

  36. Unknown
    December 13, 2017 / 5:58 pm

    Very cool, dear!

    ♡ MARY MARÍA STYLE ♡

  37. Emelia @ Dream Big and Buy the Shoes
    December 13, 2017 / 7:46 pm

    Little by little getting presents ready is the way I have to do it too. I did alllll bags except for the kids this year because I just can’t make it happen. Haha

  38. SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph
    December 13, 2017 / 8:28 pm

    Reading and getting outside help me in all seasons!

  39. Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis
    December 14, 2017 / 3:53 am

    Happy 1st day of Hanukkah! I love your ideas for staying in when it's cold outside. A good book or funny movie can definitely be enjoyable and help pass the time snuggled up at home!

  40. Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders
    December 14, 2017 / 4:23 am

    I know what you mean about running yourself ragged with all the social commitments! By default this year we’re not going to as many events, but limiting yourself during the week is such a good idea! And I hate wrapping Christmas gifts, but if I had to wrap gifts a little at a time it might be easier!

  41. NotJessFashion
    December 14, 2017 / 2:26 pm

    I say yes to all holiday-themed movies too! As a matter of fact, I already have a draft of list to watch. Will have to narrow the list further though. ha!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

  42. awhite
    December 14, 2017 / 4:28 pm

    Okay- I am totally that girl who is saving all her wrapping until this weekend, lol. I have a huge pile of presents to blast through; so does my boyfriend. I'm thinking we put on some music, split a bottle of wine, and make a party of it? 😉

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

  43. Carly
    December 14, 2017 / 7:58 pm

    I watched Christmas Vacation all the way through for the first time last weekend too. I had never really paid attention to the Lifetime Christmas movies, but they had one with Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez, so I had to watch it– it wasn't quite Holiday in Handcuffs, but still really cute, lol. A baking party sounds like so much fun, I can't wait to hear more about how it goes.

  44. Owen Davis @ Davis Duo
    December 14, 2017 / 8:24 pm

    We have been watching alllllll the Christmas movies and they make me sooo happy!!

  45. Emily Steiner
    December 14, 2017 / 9:18 pm

    Love the idea of wrapping a bit each night! I've been putting it off because it's such a big job (makes sense, right?) lol

  46. Leah Behr
    December 14, 2017 / 11:02 pm

    These are great tips! For me, if I have a week full of events, I may sure to say "no" to everything the next week, so I can stay balanced!

    xx Leah / eatpraywearlove.com