Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, signaling the start of the festive season and a time to connect with family and friends. However, organizing a Thanksgiving feast can be a daunting task, and the stress of hosting or attending family gatherings can add to the pressure of the holiday season. “Thankfully” (pun intended!), there are many ways to help create a stress-free holiday, with a little effort ahead of time.
If you’re lucky enough to be a guest at someone else’s home for the big day, be grateful for the treat!
How to Host a Relaxing Holiday
Let’s explore some secrets to de-stress your Thanksgiving gathering and make it a more enjoyable and relaxing experience for everyone.
- Planning is key to reducing stress and ensuring a seamless Thanksgiving gathering. Create a checklist and a timeline. This will ensure you’re well-prepared and avoid last-minute stress. Delegate tasks to family or friends to help share the workload. Find the perfect Thanksgiving planner here.
- Thanksgiving meals can be elaborate. Simplify your menu if you can. Stick to a few crowd-pleasing dishes. Eliminate complex recipes that require extensive preparation. Ask guests to bring a dish to share or lean on make-ahead recipes or dishes that can be frozen and reheated. This can enable you to have more time to socialize and enjoy Thanksgiving Day.
- The stress of the holiday season can take a toll on your body and mind. Prioritize self-care leading up to Thanksgiving. Engage in activities that rejuvenate your spirit, such as yoga, meditation, or a relaxing massage. You will feel more relaxed and ready to host your family and friends.
- Create an environment that is conducive to relaxation. Play soft music, dim the lights, and light some candles. Avoid topics that may trigger heated discussions and focus on positive conversation and shared appreciation.
- Make it clear your Thanksgiving is going to be casual. Encourage people to dress down, including comfortable shoes. Or use it as an opportunity to ask friends to bust out their ugliest Christmas sweater early. See below for a great selection of fun Thanksgiving tops and sweaters.
- Incorporate activities that help relax the mind and body, such as a post-meal walk, family game night, or even a Thanksgiving-themed movie. This can help break up the conversation and reduce the pressure to keep talking throughout the day.
Work to remember that Thanksgiving is not about perfection.
Let go of the pressure to host the perfect gathering, prepare gourmet cooked meals, or display immaculate decorations.
Ways to Create a Stress-Free Holiday
Thanksgiving brings with it the excitement of the festive season and a chance to connect with family and friends.
However, it can be a stressful and challenging task to organize or attend.
By considering these secrets to create a stress-free holiday gathering, you can make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Thanksgiving is all about quality time with loved ones, so relax and enjoy the day.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a private sector corporate executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant and coach. The common thread through her professional life has been a commitment to compassionate leadership, including leading and mentoring current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach articles are backed by research and include facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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