During the Christmas season we are exposed to a variety of images of people celebrating the “perfect holiday”. After all it’s too easy to create the perfect holiday on TV with million dollar budgets and an army of people to decorate your home, style your hair and clothing and cook that perfect meal. Not to mention everyone is in a festive mood and all the kids and adults are on their best behavior.  Yes the “Perfect Christmas” can be recreated, but at what cost in terms of stress to yourself and your family? 

With both parents working, children to care for, extended family visiting and a household to run most of us do not want to spend our precious free time creating the perfect celebration. The expectations you have around the holidays are directly related to the level of stress you and your family will experience if your goals are unrealistic.

This year instead of struggling to create the “Perfect Christmas” why not reflect and explore what you and your family would like as your Christmas celebration. What do you want from this season’s celebrations? What are your family’s needs and desires?  And how do you want to spend this time together as a family? Does this involve a lot of time running to the mall in search of the perfect present? Rather, would spending quality time watching movies, going for walks or some form of family activity be better? Consider what needs to happen during this holiday season in order to create a fun and relaxing time for yourself and your loved ones.