From planning early to going gift-free and even saying "no" to invitations this Christmas, these mums share their top tips for staying calm and avoiding the 'holiday mental motherload'!
Let’s face it: by default, the majority of planning during the festive season just falls to the women of the family. While not always the case (we see you, active and involved partners) it does happen more often than not! So what’s a busy mum to do? We checked in with the entrepreneur mums of Launchpad to share their top tips on staying calm and avoid the ‘holiday mental motherload’ when it comes to all things holiday season planning like gift shopping, travel, festive meals, party hosting and more. You’re gonna want to read till the end – we’re taking notes for sure!
1. Plan early (over a month in advance!)
Eileen Tan, Founder & Educator, spacingsg.co
Early planning and task delegation are key to a stress-free holiday season. We start planning a month in advance! Thankful for technology, online shopping streamlines the gift-buying process and saves time. Just remember to be in the moment, enjoy the process. Holiday season is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year! Happy holidays everyone!
2. Remember the most important thing: togetherness
Vicki Chuard, Founder of Just Peachy
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that’s the holiday season, and I have to say, I am guilty of letting it get to me every year as well because there’s so much going on and it’s so easy to end up with too much that you want to or feel like you need to do. To re-center and maintain sanity, what I try to remind myself is that you, your family, your friends and the togetherness of this holiday season is the most important thing and if you feel guilty about coming short or not being able to do it all, let your values be your compass. Don’t feel you like you need to dress the perfect Christmas dinner table or curate the perfect menu and drinks list – it’s bringing your friends and family together for a good time that matters most. Simplify gift shopping by focusing on thoughtful gestures rather than material excess, it will mean so much more to the recipient and won’t end up in a re-gift pile! When it comes to travel, it really helps me keep the stress at bay by staying organized. I love having a set of wet bags for each family member so you know everyone roughly has what they need for the trip and where to find everything – especially for the journey itself. My final tip is to create family traditions – it kills two birds with one stone by creating beautiful memories that you know exactly how to recreate every year! Remember, it’s intended to be the happiest time of the year, so make sure not to lose sight of that!
3. Delegate!
Ankita Jain, Founder of Purple & Pure
To conquer the ‘holiday mental motherload,’ delegation is the key. Opt for gift vouchers, promoting thoughtful purchases and reducing waste. Share hosting duties among friends or family, fostering a collaborative feast with potluck assignments. Open communication with loved ones about expectations is vital. Embrace simplicity, placing value on meaningful moments over elaborate plans. Efficiently manage time by blocking specific periods for holiday tasks, utilizing scheduling tools for automated reminders. Prioritize self-care to combat holiday stress, delegating personal tasks to secure time for relaxation and rejuvenation. This strategy not only eases the load but ensures a more fulfilling and balanced holiday season.
4. Find off-peak times to gather with friends
Amanda Lim, Owner of Coach Amanda Lim
Truth be told – I’m no “hostess with the mostess” even at the best of times. As a working mom who jointly runs a business with my husband, the idea of having multiple people over for a holiday dinner or hosting a giant festive event is absolutely off the table given our schedules and commitments. That said – I’m not a Scrooge, either! I like to plan small “off peak” outings with my nearest and dearest, like festive afternoon teas on a weekday when we can both steal away from work or Saturday morning walking catch-ups that end in gingerbread lattes. This way, an end-of-year meeting with a dear friend can evolve into a real conversation rather than just a quick passing at a booze-fuelled mega-bash, and instead of feeling pressure to buy and exchange gifts, we simply honour each other with the gifts of our time and attention. Of course, when the occasion calls – I’m no stranger to a party! – so I keep a few beautiful “consumables” (a pretty bottle of bubbles; a decorative tin of cookies; a box of Christmas poppers) stocked in my cupboards all season long so there’s no last-minute stress when we get a last-minute invite and want to bring something fun and festive!
5. Try a sustainable Christmas with zero presents
Lizzy Homersham, Conscious Creator behind @theconsciouslizzy
As a Sustainable Mama, my priorities have shifted away from materialistic items. Having previously worked in Advertising, I get the consumerism craze… However, this year, I’ve chosen to buy ZERO presents – yep, you read that right! Instead, my hubby, toddler and I are focusing on time spent together. Grandparents will buy a few gifts for our son and that’s plenty! With my family in the UK, we decided to skip presents this year.
We’ve also opted for a Christmas dinner takeaway. This marks my first time hosting Christmas – ’tis the season for enjoyment, not gift-wrapping the holiday pressures!
6. #Shoplocal online for high quality and fast shipment
Senthilkumar Subramanian, Founder of The Noteway
My favourite way to keep gift shopping peaceful and fun during the festive season is to shop as much as one month early online! I look into Google for best gift ideas or simply scroll through my gift blog from The Noteway, to find best value for money gifts that my friends and family will love. Also, if I am using online portals like Shopee to buy my gifts, I prefer to choose local sellers with good ratings, as the shipments tend to be much faster and I don’t want to risk compromising on the quality of my gifts.
7. Create colour-coded spreadsheets to get organised
Christine Chow, Co-founder, Tove and Libra
I love making holiday plans, and I created an Excel schedule to organise and review everything quickly. I have a color-coded printout on our fridge at home so everyone can see it, even our kids. I usually work on personal plans early morning and late night, so I can be on work mode the rest of the day. It can be really helpful to get an early start on holiday planning in November – but I think it’s just key to not put too much pressure on yourself. Christmas does come around every year!
8. Ask yourself, will this matter in 5 years’ time? If not, move on
Rena Rau, Founder of Bubsmamy
December can be chaotic for a busy mom with a hands-on business. Delegating holiday planning may seem overwhelming initially, but prioritizing tasks and considering their long-term significance can bring clarity. Ask yourself, will this matter in 5 years’ time? If not, let’s move on! Planning gift shopping months ahead, capitalizing on sales, and storing gifts in advance not only saves money but also avoids last-minute crowds. This approach eases the stress of holiday gifting and helps declutter my mind during December.
9. Outsource the meal planning for peace of mind
Punam Chopra, Founder of SpiceBox Organics
The holiday season often brings a whirlwind of tasks that seem endless, adding to the stress. Personally, I seek solace in businesses that help ease some of these pressures, especially when it involves ensuring everyone enjoys delightful, healthy meals. The intricate meal planning during the holidays is challenging, and I recommend outsourcing it to SpiceBox Organics as they specializes in plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian catering, perfectly suited for both kids and adults. Their full-service catering covers everything from preparations to delivery, setup, and even take down!
10. Some bribery goes a long way
Lucy d’Ambrumenil, Founder of Phoenix Wills
Easier said than done I’m well aware, but in our family, we try to stay away from stressing over Christmas. It’s about having fun, family time, NOT about shopping and having the “perfect” Christmas. I’d like for our children to try and learn that it’s not about the material “things” but the experiences, which are hopefully joyful and meaningful. That said, and to totally contradict myself, there may be a small amount of bribery going on in the form of “Father Christmas only brings presents to good boys and girls on the Nice list…” That helps.
11. Reassess your values
Dian Handayani, Director/Sex Therapist and Art Psychotherapist of Nambani Pte Ltd
The quest for the ideal festive atmosphere often transforms into a mental motherload, inducing overwhelming stress. As we fixate on societal expectations for perfect meals and gifts, the essence of what truly matters can slip away. To navigate this mental minefield, take a step back and reassess your values. Choose one or two core values, such as connection, fun, or gratitude, as your anchor amidst the chaos. Focus on these foundational aspects when the holiday frenzy becomes too much. Share these values with loved ones to serve as reminders of what genuinely matters, infusing the season with more profound, meaningful significance.
12. Don’t be afraid to say no to invitations
Coco Alexandra, Creator of Coco Alexandra Holistic Consulting
Navigating the holiday season as an mompreneur can be overwhelming, but implementing effective delegation can help alleviate the ‘holiday mental load’. Prioritize tasks by identifying essential responsibilities that require your attention and delegate the rest. Ask for help, you don’t have to do EVERYTHING yourself. Hire a virtual assistant to help you with gift shopping, outsource travel arrangements and more if needed. Consider potluck-style gatherings to share the load of festive meals. Embrace co-hosting options for parties, allowing others to contribute and share the planning responsibilities. Delegation not only lightens your workload but also empowers others and fosters a sense of collaboration. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember to say NO to invitations if what you really need is a day off to rest and recharge.
