The holiday season usually comes around with a tendency toward excess. That’s why we’re here with a list of all the things you should avoid during the holidays.
Wherever you’re watching this, you’re probably celebrating some sort of holiday.
Whether you’re religious or not, it’s still a time when the year ends.
It’s a closing chapter for most people across the world.
A time of reflection, connections, and protecting your peace.
And to do that, today we’re bringing you 15 Things to Avoid During the Holidays.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel like reading; you can enjoy the video below or watch it on YouTube:
1
Toxic friends and family members
This is the time when the Christmas celebrations will throw you into the lion’s den with that friend you haven’t spoken to that much this year.
It’s that time when you have to face the aunt, uncle, sibling, or grandparent who has never seemed to “get” you.
If it’s too much for you and causes you too much anxiety and stress, that’s your sign to avoid them.
You don’t have to be there just because you’ve always been there. If there’s a chance for you to be there but avoid them, then do that.
Uncomfortable situations are one of the main things to avoid during the holidays.
2
Overspending on gifts
Avoid overspending on anything, really, but especially gifts.
Consumerism and consumption are at an all-time high and nobody needs more than one gift.
One of the biggest stressors during the holidays is finances. It can induce major anxiety—and why?
For a gift that someone might forget about a month from now? It’s unnecessary.
Keep the gifts small and reasonable. Monetary value has nothing to do with how meaningful something is.
3
Overcrowded malls
Overcrowded malls are one of the things that should be avoided during the holidays. At all costs, I may add.
Malls have been sold to this wonderful, all-in-one experience.
The reality is that it’s a hot mess most of the time, especially during the holidays.
If you have children, this is the last place you should be.
It’s a place full of stressed people rushing around and bright lights and loud noises that activate a sensory overload.
Go to smaller, local shops if you can.
4
Volunteering to make most of the food
Volunteering to make the most of the food might seem like a good idea when everyone is arguing about who should do what and nobody seems to want to take responsibility, but the stress and cost that come with it can affect your entire holiday.
This is a time for lots of dinners, lunches, and nightcaps; it’s rarely just one big event.
It’s often a big event, too.
Offer to make a few dishes, but avoid taking full responsibility for the entire thing.
5
Totally isolating yourself
All the holiday events might seem like too much for you.
They can be overwhelming and your natural reaction might be to hide under your pillow and avoid everything.
While going to everything isn’t great and can be exhausting, totally isolating yourself isn’t great either.
Humans are social creatures; we thrive on connection.
If big groups aren’t your thing, at least try to make one-on-one plans with friends or family members you’re close to.
Regardless of what you choose to do, one certain thing you need to avoid during the holidays is isolating yourself.
6
Crime-ridden areas
Avoid crime-ridden areas, which you’d want to do anyway, but this is especially important during the holidays.
Crime rates skyrocketed around this time.
Unfortunately, people are more desperate and they know that there’s a little more money going around so there’s an uptick in muggings and robberies.
Bad areas are things to be avoided during the holidays. Be extra vigilant and responsible, and stay safe.
7
Constant parties and events
On the flip side of totally isolating yourself, say yes to every event.
This might be fun throughout the rest of the year, but there’s so much going on over the holidays that attending everything will deplete your budget and energy quicker than you can say “Happy New Year.”
Schedule breaks in between those times; give yourself and your wallet time to recuperate.
8
Last-minute work meetings
The last-minute work meetings are going to come up. Avoid them as much as possible.
In the past, we’d end emails and meetings with a nice, “We’ll circle back to this next year,” but after remote work showed the bosses that we could be constantly online, people seemed to want answers and meetings even after you’re supposed to be on holiday.
This is your break. If you have time off, take the time off.
Put that out-of-office message on and take this time to enjoy yourself and relax.
9
Overeating or Restrictive Eating
Eating good food is such an integral part of holiday celebrations.
It should be something we enjoy, something we can regulate without thinking about.
And yet for many people, it’s a struggle.
The abundance of food can lead to overeating or overthinking.
We can get to a place where we trust ourselves and our bodies to know when we’ve had too much and to balance that out in the following days.
And if restrictive eating has been a problem in the past, quietly let those voices rest so that you can enjoy yourself without thinking about every bite.
Going to extremes with eating is something you need to avoid doing during the holidays.
10
Arguing with family
Avoiding this can be easier said than done with some families.
You know your family members well enough by now and if the same arguments come up again, then what’s the point?
They’re not going to change, you’re not going to change, and the constant bickering and arguing is draining, especially if you’re spending a few days with them.
Stand up for yourself, make your boundaries and limits clear, but then don’t continue engaging with people who are going to push past them.
Instead, remove yourself from the situation, find something peaceful to do, and don’t give them the satisfaction of engaging.
If there’s one thing that will make your holidays better, avoid getting into heated arguments with family.
11
Too much alcohol
Alcohol heightens those feelings of frustration and anger if you’re around people that you usually avoid.
You tend to forget promises you made to yourself and other people and overall, the person who gets too trashed ends up ruining the time for everyone else, and you don’t want to be that person.
It’s not fair and it’s an unnecessarily messy way to end and start a year. Alcohol should be at the top of things you need to avoid during the holidays.
12
Trying to please everyone
You might think this is the easiest way to keep peace between everyone but often what ends up happening is that some people take advantage of your kindness.
Others become very critical of the things you’re doing while going the extra mile, and you become resentful of taking on more mental load than everyone else.
Help out where you can, but if it’s too much for you, don’t do it.
There’s no reason for you to be the one making all the sacrifices for everyone else.
13
Insensitivity to those who have lost loved ones
Whether it was 10 or 20 years ago, whether they lived until ripe old age or were gone far too soon, the holidays are an extremely difficult time for anyone who has lost family members.
It’s a reminder that they’re not here, a reminder that they’re not able to share these moments and make new memories.
There is no time limit on grief and it’s not linear.
It’s not something you ever get over so be extra kind to those having a difficult time.
You have no idea what it takes for them to put on a smile when they’re struggling.
14
Being overly critical
People are going to ask for your opinion on the food they cooked, on the new clothes they got, and if you liked the gift they bought you.
Whether you like it or not, there’s no need to be overly critical.
If constructive criticism would be helpful, deliver it gently.
Otherwise, suck it up and be kind.
It’s sensitive for many people and there’s no need to make them feel worse about anything.
Don’t be that person who disguises rudeness as honesty.
15
Lecturing without listening
You’ll probably get into some heated conversations.
A lot is going on in the world right now.
It’s natural to want to shout about the injustices from the rooftop.
But this doesn’t sway opinion; in fact, people become more defensive.
If you are going to lecture, make sure you listen too.
Ask questions; get to the root of opinions.
The holidays can be a great time or they can be sad and stressful, and it doesn’t matter who you are or how much or little you have; you’ll still be hit with those highs and lows.
Where you can guard yourself so that your highs last longer and your lows don’t ruin your time.
This concludes our list of things to avoid during the holidays. See you next time!
