Why do holidays have to be so stressful? Holidays are supposed to be blissful, full of laughter and memories. However, we dread them because of the stress, drama, and exhaustion they bring. That is why I propose a stress less Easter with some holiday planning made simple.
Spring! The time of new beginnings! The smell of fresh rain and newly sprouted and bloomed flowers. What is there not to love about this time of the year?
Then someone says are you coming to the family holiday gathering and it’s like reality slaps you in the face. You remember the previous year when that one uncle got so drunk and really let everyone know what he thought, and the cousin battle for grandma’s attention that brought your child to tears.
Just the word holiday sends us down a black hole of to-dos and Pinterest boards of best recipes and ways to control a crowd. In the case of Easter, we also have to throw in there how to make an epic Easter basket your kids will love.
We can’t even turn on the news without another report on the must-have Easter gifts.
If your the host of the gathering this year your phone is always going off with another person explains their newest diet and her food limitations.
Is it okay to just cancel Easter? No! Really! Can we just keep the message but not gather?
Remember the joy and the excitement easter would bring as a child. How much we laughed and just enjoyed the day like there was no drama or conflict?
Well enough is enough! We too deserve to feel the same joy as children around the holidays. You deserve to have a less stress Easter this holiday season!
The Three Steps You Need to Take for A Stress Less Easter
#1 Change Your Mind Set
We live in a world of picture-perfect. We flip through Facebook and Instagram with all these pretty pictures and think I want my party to look like that.
What has not been disclosed it that picture-perfect party you love so much took them all day just to set-up? Wouldn’t it be great if they did one of those hyper lapsed videos of all they put into it! Guys! That is their job, that is how they provide for their families, most of them have been styling and practicing their skills for years.
If you have a full-time job, plus raising a family, plus not the same layout as that venue the photos were staged at, you are setting an unrealistic goal.
Another thing, those parties are not perfect. Ask the host/stylish of that party if they would have changed anything and most of them have a list of things they didn’t like or would have changed.
So, the first thing is to change your mindset. Your easter gathering doesn’t have to be perfect, it should be something you are proud of but don’t try to live up to false expectations.
Set realistic goals and expectations you know you can achieve. Trying to live up to what this world preserves as “pretty and perfect,” isn’t worth the stress.
#2 Make it Fun
We focus so much on what other people would like that we forget about ourselves. Now don’t get me wrong is a great thing to be selfless, but you can’t always put yourself on the back burner.
The truth is no one likes a miserable host. So, ask yourself what you would you want at a party? What would you consider being fun and a cool idea for an Easter gathering?
If you have kids coming to your gathering a good old fashion Easter Egg Hunt is simple and fun. As long as they get prizes they don’t care any need to be extravagant.
Even hold an Easter Egg hunt for the adults with raffle tickets for prizes or other fun things inside. Sometimes we adults need to feel like a kid too.
Games are always a great idea to get the crowd involved just stack up the board games and let them pick. Even decorate a few game tables.
Or if weather is nice and you don’t have fire restrictions do a bomb fire cookout turn it into a pre-summer fun in the sun kind of day. Put out some lawn games and have a platter ready to make smores.
Remember if you are having a good time so is your company, so don’t be afraid to let loose and have some fun!
#3 Plan A Head
This can be 1 to 2 months ahead or even just a few weeks. Get it planned and over with ahead of time will set you up for success!
First thing, decide the day.
Are you going to a sunrise service? Are you holding a brunch or a dinner party? Are you doing a big family gathering or just a small get together? You may decide to just attend the church banquet that is held every year. The world is your oyster. The first to plan is the one that gets all the say!
Second thing, decide on what to make
This doesn’t have to be “fancy” or extravagant. As a matter of fact, most of the food I have been told is “fancy” takes me 30 minutes or less in the kitchen. It is all about presentation and flavor.
Here are a few tips:
If you are going to a banquet make an appetizer dish and a dish that can be prepped and brought in a crockpot. These two types of dishes are easy to transport as well as easy to prep and make.
If you are hosting a small get together of friends have it be a pot luck style you provide the proteins and everyone brings a side dish or dessert.
If you are hosting a family get together to make a protein and a few sides but ask others to bring things like rolls, a salad, and other side dishes.
Important Note: If you have someone that has a special diet or they call you up last minute and say I no longer eat gluten or dairy you are allowed to politely say “Oh, I already have the menu planned this is what I am serving but you can feel free to bring a dish of your choice.” It is not up to you to make EVERYONE happy.
Third thing, plan some entertainment
Laughter is the best form of medicine. Planning to play a few games, or making the easter egg hunt extra fun you to laugh and remember the joy of the day.
If kids are at your easter celebration have little things for them to do to stay entertained. Here are a few simple effortless ideas:
One Last Note To A Stress-Less Easter
Family is family no matter what. Then there are times when coming together is more of a burden than a privilege. If someone doesn’t want to come because of another then so be it. Don’t guilt them into coming just simply say, “You will be missed, but I can’t ask you to do something you are not comfortable doing, I understand.” Leave it at that.
If you have a family member that spoke out about having it in for someone simply don’t invite them, no one needs that drama at a party. It’s like grandma said, “If you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all.”
Above all know you can’t please everyone, all you can do is try to make sure everyone has a good time, including yourself.
Take these simple steps to have a stress-less Easter and make the holiday your own, mold it in a way that works for you and enjoy a holiday filled with more memories and less stress.
I hope you enjoy a Less Stress Easter this holiday season.
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