Holiday Survival 101

We all know the drill. The moment Thanksgiving leftovers are tucked away, our feeds explode with the same perfectly polished images: the magazine-worthy tree, the matching pajamas, the sparkling tables, the blissfully smiling families who apparently sleep eight hours every night.

But for most of us?
The holidays can feel a lot less Norman Rockwell and a lot more Matt Damon in the 2018 SNL sketch “The Best Christmas Ever.” (Pro Tip: If you haven’t seen it—seriously, treat yourself now.)

Because the real holiday season…
Can be a lack of sleep.
A turkey that somehow manages to be both dry and undercooked.
A sibling argument over politics you desperately try to mute by turning up “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Oh, and glitter. Everywhere. Forever.

Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you find the joy—real, imperfect, human joy—in the holidays.

1. Let Go of ‘Perfect’

Perfection is the biggest stress-inducer of the season. The perfect tree, perfect menu, perfect gifts—none of it is necessary. Your kids won’t remember whether the bow matched the wrapping paper. They won’t even remember if there was a bow!  

 2. Share Your Stress Triggers With Your Partner.

We all have little things that bother us, and often no one else recognizes them until we’re off the deep-end. Don’t assume your partner knows all of yours. Share them before the holidays, and find out theirs (they are usually not the same). Remember, you’re a team – and you’ll find when your partner is aware, he/she can often step in and mitigate…and you, for them.

3. Drop the Traditions That Don’t Serve You

You don’t need to bake twelve kinds of cookies just because your family did when you were six.
You don’t need to handwrite cards for 87 people.
You don’t need to host every year.

Pick the traditions that make you happy. Retire the rest. You are allowed.

4. Delegate Like a CEO (and Don’t Worry if the Carpet Isn’t Vacuumed.)

Hosting doesn’t mean you need to be a one-person Hallmark production team.

Give everyone a role:

• Someone brings a side.

• Someone else handles drinks.

• Someone brings dessert.

People like to contribute. Let them. And no one cares if your carpet is vacuumed!!

5. Plan for Things to Go Wrong (and Laugh When They Do)

The turkey might overcook.
The dog might eat the gingerbread house.
Uncle Joe may tell that same story for the 85th time.

Holiday mishaps often become favorite stories later. Embrace the chaos.

5. Protect Your Sleep Like It’s the Hope Diamond.

A major cause of holiday burnout? Being chronically exhausted.
Set a “no more tasks after ___ time” rule.
Say no to events that leave you drained.
Remember: joyful people rest. Tired people snap.

6. Create at Least One Pocket of Uninterrupted Quiet

This season can be loud—in every way.
Schedule one totally-non-negotiable quiet moment and let you family know up front what it is: early morning coffee, a walk outside, a long shower with your favorite playlist.
These tiny resets make a big difference.

7. Accept Help—Even If It’s Imperfect

If someone loads the dishwasher in a deeply inefficient way, bless them and let it go.
If someone offers to wrap gifts even though they wrap like a toddler? Accept it.
Support is support.

8. Focus on Moments Over Masterpieces

The best parts of the holidays usually aren’t the things we plan.
They’re the unexpected belly laughs.
The slightly off-key car singing.
The quiet evening when everyone finally exhales.

Chase moments, not magazine spreads.

10. Laugh!!

Some years, the holidays go smoothly.
Other years? They are full Matt Damon SNL mode. So the real key to surviving is:

Laugh. Truly. Humor is THE holiday superpower.