🌼 The Anti-Stress Holiday Game Plan: Give Less, Connect More

Dec 7

Welcome to this Start Fresh mini from the Om WOW Podcast! Let’s reset our mindset and start the week with clarity and intention.

Listen to the short episode:

Episode #40: Transcript

Hey friends, welcome back! In our last Sunday Start Fresh mini episode, we talked about the real cost of holiday stress, the debt, the pressure, the expectation that we have to spend to show we care.

And I shared with you how my husband and I are seen as oddballs at Christmas, because not only do we skip the decorations and the tree…

We also don't exchange presents.

Wicked different, right?

Today I'm sharing a practical game plan for doing the holiday season differently to tone down the stress without going to the extremes that I've chosen for myself. Here are a few mindset ideas and practical moves to help you resist the pressure and protect your wellbeing.

Just SAY No To “Perfect” Gifts

Remember, there's no such thing as perfect, right? Not everything needs to be expensive, brand new or wrapped in fancy paper, lean into recycled re-gifted or homemade gifts. Maybe something meaningful came your way last year, or somebody gifted you something that you can thoughtfully pass on to another person who will cherish it.

How about homemade? A fresh batch of cookies, a framed photo, a handmade ornament. All of those things show that you care and cost far less. These are the kinds of gifts that can have real meaning and sentimental value.

My mom used to make me this incredible peppermint hand scrub with essential oils and natural ingredients. And now she's gone. So the last one I received will be the last one I ever get. That is what I consider a meaningful gift.

Homemade options not only save money, but they bring real meaning and help you sidestep the consumer treadmill.

Set a Holiday Budget & Actually Stick to it

Decide ahead of time how much money you're willing to spend or not spend, and build your gift giving around that.

So what does that actually look like? Well, if you have $200 total to spend on 10 people, that's $20 a person at $20, you could get a nice candle. A book you loved that you think they'd love, a small plant, fancy coffee or tea, a journal, or even just a heartfelt card with a promise to take them out for coffee in January when you can both actually relax and enjoy time together.

If your budget is tight, make it part of your narrative. You can tell people, I'm choosing to give only what I can in this way and offer connection with them. Over consumption of more stuff. Remember, whatever stress, mental or financial or both that you're feeling this holiday season that people you're exchanging gifts with are also likely feeling it is so much pressure.

Don't Let Guilt Drive Your Spending

It's easy to believe that buying more equals caring more. Or spending more on a person means you love them more. But true generosity doesn't mean financial strain. You're allowed to give from a place of abundance emotionally and materially without wrecking your finances.

Here's a script you can actually use. Hey, I'm keeping things really simple this year and focusing more on time together than gifts. Would you be up for a no gift agreement, or if it's family, you could say. This year, I'm prioritizing experiences over things. Can we do a white elephant gift exchange with a $15 limit instead of getting individual gifts for everyone?

Most people, I think, will actually be relieved. Adults anyway. Many of them are feeling the same pressure you are. I actually love the white elephant option and I think it's a great idea for the over 18 crowd. Many families even turn this into a fun game. Gets everyone involved, gets people laughing, but it doesn't break the bank, and that's a winner in my book.

Pay As You Go

Don't rely on credit you can't afford as you're spending money. If you can try to use cash or a debit card. If you have to dip into the credit cards, make sure you have a payoff plan. Carrying high interest credit card debt from your holiday spending is stress that's just going to multiply. And as the data shows, many people feel regret or anxiety because of it.

People, the holidays should not give us anxiety. Right?! Come on.

So beyond the money, let's talk about protecting your mental space. Money isn't the only stressor. There's also the emotional labor. Being the organizer, the host, the gift giver, the peacemaker.

Protect Your Mindset & Vibe

So let's talk about how to protect your mental space too.

Practice bite-size, self care.

You don't need to go on a full on wellness retreat, but small daily practices can really help. How about taking a short walk without your phone or spending 15 minutes with a quiet coffee break and a book?

Set boundaries with events.

Before you overcommit yourself, ask yourself, do I actually wanna go to this? Can I handle it emotionally? And know that it's okay to turn down invitations or step away when you need to.

Try choosing a theme word for your season.

You could pick a word or a feeling like ease, presence, connection, or simplicity. Let that guide your choices. If something doesn't align with your word, you don't have to do it.

Embrace community & relationships over perfection.

When you lean into simpler, more intentional traditions, you create space for the people in your life to just be. To just be who they are. To relax.That more than coordinated decor or expensive gifts or fancy schmancy dinnerware is what people will remember.

New Ways to Enjoy Your Time

So if you're not spending as much time shopping and decorating, what could you do instead? Here are some ideas for some free or low, low-cost ways to enjoy this season:

Drive around and see the neighborhood light displays like we do.
Maybe have a movie marathon at home with popcorn
Volunteer with your relatives at a local food bank or shelter

All these things create memories without debt.

Gift Options Using Your Time & Talents

When you're thinking about gift options, maybe you could do something that's time-based, like offering to babysit for a friend who needs a night out or cooking a meal for someone who's really overwhelmed. Maybe you could help someone with a project they've been putting off.

These kinds of gifts cost you time, not money, but they're often more valuable. And what about your skills? You probably know how to do something that somebody in your family doesn't.

Could you offer guitar lessons, photography tips, cooking classes in your kitchen, organizing help, or tech support? You name it. Your knowledge could be a gift.

The beauty of those alternatives is that they create actual connection, which is supposedly what the holidays are supposed to be about anyway, right?

Imagine a Different Kind of December

Let me paint you a picture. It's December 31st, and you wake up with no dread, no anxiety about checking your bank account, and no exhaustion from trying to do everything.

You actually enjoyed the season! You were present! You connected with people! And now you're heading into the new year without debt, without regret, and without having to put your own financial goals on hold because you're still paying off Christmas presents.

What did your December look like to get you there? Walk backward from that feeling. Maybe you said no to a few events that would've drained your energy. Maybe you suggested a potluck instead of hosting an expensive, complicated dinner. Maybe you gave fewer, more meaningful gifts. Maybe you started a new tradition that had NOTHING to do with buying stuff.

That version of December is entirely within your reach. You have permission to reclaim this season for you, not for the pressure. And if you're resisting the urge to go into debt, that's not only a wise financial move, it's a radical act of self-care. Did you hear me? Self-care? You're not depriving, you’re prioritizing.

Your Challenge This Week

This week I have a different kind of challenge for you. There's three options and I challenge you to try just one:

Choose one tradition you're going to simplify or skip this year.
Text one person, a friend, a brother or sister, whoever, and suggest a no gift agreement or a spending limit.
Brainstorm a couple ways you can show love this season without spending money.

Just one start there. I hope you feel a little more empowered to do things your own way. Have a fabulous week, my friends!

If this mini gave you a mindset boost, pass it on! Comment below & let me know— your energy makes a difference.

Meet Our Host: Jennifer Robin O’Keefe

Jennifer Robin serves as a relatable, down-to-earth, REAL Wellness & Success Coach. She’s not a fancy, perfect makeup, airbrushed kind of woman. She’s been told many times, in a variety of environments, that she’s easy to talk to, and makes others feel welcome and comfortable. Her mission in life is both simple and profound: to make others feel worthy.

Professionally, Jennifer holds several wellness certifications including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping, Thought Field Therapy (TFT) Tapping, Reiki, and more. She continuously expands her knowledge in the fields of Qi Gong, Xien Gong, Vibration/Energy Wellness and Natural Health. She also studied extensively with Jack Canfield, and serves as a Certified Canfield Trainer, authorized to teach "The Success Principles."

She’s an active reader and researcher who loves to learn, and one of her biggest joys is teaching and sharing what she’s discovered with others.