Daniel Malito
For me, it’s cooking in advance and freezing, buying presents starting in November, and making the food on Christmas Eve delivery not home made (they love the famous local place’s chicken fingers so everyone is satisfied).
What are some of the tips you use to cut the holiday stress? Family plus RA plus emotions plus get-togethers = MOST STRESSFUL TIME OF YEAR! 😖🎄
mlynn Member
Once I let go of all of the expectations I had of myself - the baking, decorating, shopping (ick, so not a shopper) and personal notes on each card, a whole lot of my holiday stress went away. But it took me awhile to adjust to this new way of celebrating the season.
Last year my right hand became to painful to use after a few days of working on cards. This year, folks are getting a picture with no personal note and they best be happy and merry about it 😀
Erin Rush Community Admin
I hope your friends and family are fine with the picture and that you have a wonderful, low stress holiday season!
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
latoya.juniel Community Admin
pamela56 Member
Totally agree with letting go of the expectations, catered meal, and no decorating to make holiday less stressful. If I bake it’s a pie or pumpkin bread where it’s one motion to get in/out of oven. Unlike cookies which can take hours of standing over stove. And the specialty stores have such yummy baked goods anyways! My one and only daughter is grown (no grandchildren…yet) so gifts are not an issue. We gift each other through out the year. We focus on making memories, and spending time together.
christine.laaksonen Community Admin
Irma A Member
This year I'm sort of canceling Christmas. At least at my house. We will celebrate at our kids'. The thought of not having to put up a tree, decorate it, water it, and then take it back down and out is such a relief. My other Christmas decorations will stay snug in the closet, maybe they will venture out next year. I will concentrate on shopping for gifts, always the best part, and enjoy time spent with our kids and their families. And I will enjoy making Christmas-themed table runners as gifts. There is Christmas galore in my sewing room as I'm surrounded by holiday fabrics.
christine.laaksonen Community Admin
Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi
melwilliams Member
Hello. My family and I started getting our meals pre prepared. It has helped tremendously and all that’s left to prepare are a couple of sides.
kwsfsw Member
latoya.juniel Community Admin