As much as we enjoy the holiday season, it can also be a time of stress. Holiday shopping, baking cookies, and entertaining all require precious time. Then there is the financial aspect of the holiday season, and travel for some. You have so much to do, all while the kids are off for winter break. How does one handle all of this and still manage to spread a little holiday cheer? I used to take on way too much and get really stressed during the holidays, but over the years I’ve learned to give myself a break and really focus on what matters most. I’ve partnered with 7-Eleven to share some ways to survive the holiday season, and enjoy it too.
Ways to Survive the Holiday Season
Accept that you don’t have to be Martha Stewart. In the age of Pinterest, this one can be very difficult. It took me a long time to accept that I was no Martha, and that it was okay. It is impossible to do everything and do it perfectly. Unless, like the REAL Martha you have a team of professionals to help you. I didn’t think so.
Forget about the marathon baking sessions and get the kids in the kitchen to help make one or two of your family favorites. And, do you really need to send out 200 hand written Christmas cards this year?
Collaborate on festivities. Make your holiday celebrations a joint effort. Instead of baking a dozen different types of cookies, host a cookie swap with some friends. There’s no reason for you to prepare an entire holiday dinner by yourself. Make it a potluck or invite your guest to bring a dessert or side dish.
Simplify gift giving. Your kids probably don’t need as many presents as you think. Instead of focusing on quantity, think quality when it comes to gift giving. Buy fewer and more thoughtful gifts. Give the gift of an experience. Kids care more about getting to spend time with you, than they do toys.
Consider making a pact with your adult family members, to only buy gifts for the kids this year. Or maybe draw names so that each person is only buying one gift.
Grab a hot cup of coffee and spend some time outdoors. The fresh air will do wonders for you. This will look a little different depending on where you live. Spending time outdoors could be ice skating with the kids or meeting some friends at the park for a play date. Here in sunny Florida it’s the latter. On the way to the park yesterday, I stopped by 7-Eleven for a cup of their new Nicaragua Matagalpa Single-Origin Coffee for myself and a friend. Especially so this time of the year, I want an affordable cup of coffee and I love that 7-Eleven has gotten on board with offering sustainable, ethically produced coffee.
The beans from the Nicaragua Matagalpa Single-Origin coffee are sourced from coffee-growers who are Rainforest Alliance Certified. If you aren’t familiar with that certification, it’s a guarantee that the coffee comes from farms that meet strict standards that are designed to protect the environment.
The sustainable coffee beans are harvested from Nicaragua’s Matagalpa region. The special blend lends to a full-bodied medium-dark roast with a delicious dark chocolate aroma and rich, sweet notes of cocoa. It has a delicious robust flavor and is really smooth too.
Take time out for yourself. Finding time for yourself may seem an impossible task this time of the year, but if you make the effort you will be well rewarded. Schedule time for yourself, even if it means taking out a pen and writing it on your calendar. Set the timer and take a nap or treat yourself to a much needed massage.
Fifteen minutes with a hot cup of Nicaragua Matagalpa Single-Origin coffee from 7-Eleven and a good sounds wonderful to me right now. Even it it’s just 5 minutes of stretching or closing your eyes for a few minutes and focusing on your breathing, I encourage you to carve out a little time for yourself this holiday season.
If you need a holiday pick-me-up or just want an affordable cup of sustainable coffee, pop into your local 7-Eleven and pick up a cup of Nicaragua Matagalpa Single-Origin coffee. I know you’re going to love it. Have you tried it yet? I’d love to hear what you think!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 7-Eleven.
I try to plan as much as I can ahead of the Holidays. I cook a lot of the food the day before so I have more time to spend with my family.
Grabbing a cup of coffee is a must for me! Spending time outdoors is something that I want to do but the weather here is so unpredictable!
These are great tips! Can’t wait to try 7-Eleven’s new coffee. Sounds like a great partner this holiday season.
Yes to putting on your oxygen mask first or in my case TAKING TIME TO ENJOY A CUP OF COFFEE!! I had no idea that the coffee at 7 eleven was so gourmet! I need to get over there and get some stat!
Coffee and time outdoors sounds amazing. The holiday season can definitely be overwhelming and taking a step back and taking a breathe is important.
Accepting that I am NOT Martha is huge. Also, please give me all the coffee! Wishing you a beautiful holiday. Thanks for the tips!
Yep will be needing these tips rather quickly around here. The holidays really make me wish I was a coffee drinker. Its going to be rough!
There is nothing quite like a good cup of coffee.
Great tips on how to manage the holiday season.
I would never have expected sustainable coffee beans at 7-11. I’ll have to give them a try.
YES! Coffee every day will get me through the holidays. And I did know this info about 7-11’s coffee. We love it!