Take it from the #gift-givers at the Organizing Blog: Even if a gift isn’t extravagant or costly, you can dress it up with wrapping that screams “open me first,” and you don’t have to spend a lot to make your gifts look special during the #holidays. With some creativity, even humble materials such as scrap paper, newspaper, kraft paper or vintage fabric can be used to give gifts a little extra panache. Practically anything that can be tied can be zjuzhed into a fancy bow for your #Christmas #gifts, too, from butcher string to twine to disused videotape. And there’s no shame in using a sticky bow or gift bag. #GiftWrapping
Tag: christmas
Good Gift Wrapping Makes the Holiday
No #Christmas tree would be complete without a pile of wrapped #gifts under it. If you want to go beyond the #gift bag and make your gifts stand out, start with a quality paper, the New York Times says; it will be less likely to rip as you fold it around the gift. Use invisible or double-sided tape and pick out quality embellishments such as a wide, wire-supported ribbon; they are easy to use even if you can’t tie a good bow. Tie on a few sprigs of seasonal greenery, a pine cone or a #holiday cookie cutter for added visual appeal — and of course a tag or sticker to identify the recipient. #GiftWrapping
How to Defuse Holiday Stress
The #holiday season is in full swing. That typically means shopping, cooking, wrapping, visiting, hosting and any number of additional obligations. You might thrive on this kind of activity, or you might shrink from it — either way, you’re going to feel the #stress.
To defuse stressful feelings, don’t overcommit, says Dr. Kate Truitt. Know your limits and stick to them. Some people thrive with back-to-back-to-back parties, events and errands; others will burn out on that kind of “fun” fast. Keep plans loose to allow room for spontaneity.
Also, let go of external expectations. The idea of a “perfect” holiday is marketing in disguise, Mindful says. You might see a TV personality or social media influencer creating the most amazing holiday table, for example, and feel bad because yours could never measure up.
Dispel any worry about how things “should be,” and concentrate instead on simply being yourself, doing your best and being present. Try to appreciate what you have and avoid any comparison to someone’s airbrushed, stage-managed, Instagrammable version of the #season.
If seeing certain friends and family members brings stress due to personal or ideological differences, experts at Emory University say to set boundaries and focus on areas of connection. Redirect potentially volatile conversations to neutral topics and shared experiences.
If you simply can’t escape the rising tension, take a time-out. Go for a walk. Do some deep-breathing. Employ an exit strategy: “Sometimes, stepping away from a heated conversation is the best option. Use polite excuses like ‘I need to check on something in the kitchen.’”
Finally, never ignore self-care. Prioritizing others’ happiness at the expense of your own can lead to exhaustion and resentment. Remind yourself that you’ve done your level best to meet the season and that is going to have to be enough. Schedule time for your favorite “reset,” whether it’s a spa day, hike or movie night.
If #stress and #anxiety persist and you start to feel hopeless, drained or physically ill, you might benefit from help. Engage a therapist or other support. As Dr. Truitt says, “The best #gift you can give to yourself and your loved ones is the healthiest, happiest version of you.”
Bring the Outside in for the Holidays
You can #decorate for the #holidays elegantly and #inexpensively by foraging, says HGTV. Fallen branches, leaves and evergreen boughs are easy to come by, especially if you’re doing a little bit of fall pruning. Take a spirited forest walk and not only will you get some fresh air, you’re likely to find fragrant pine cones and greens suitable for the mantel, dining room table or porch railing — maybe even a log for the fireplace. Amaryllis and holly cuttings offer more ways to bring the outdoors in for a designer-approved #Christmas home. #HolidayDecorations
Make Room for the Holidays
Is your space so #cluttered that you don’t know where to put the #Christmas tree? Prepare your home for the season by #dcluttering before you start #decorating, The Spruce says. Start by clearing out the stray children’s toys, and ask kids to pick a few things they no longer want to #donate or #trash. Do the same for your #holiday #decorations by getting rid of anything no longer fits your decorating scheme. And do a quick tour of the tchotchkes #cluttering your display surfaces — can they be stored for the holidays in favor of more seasonal items? You might find something that can be #donated or regifted. #HolidayDecorations