Written by a human – Heather Smith from Step by Step Training
Christmas is often a massive juggle to cope. Between expenses of food, and gifts, family politics and the conflict and guilt often associated with spending time with family members that are usually avoided. Coping with Christmas stress can be extremely difficult.
In the Media, Christmas is often described as a joyful, relaxed time. The reality is very different. For many Australians it brings added pressure. The desire to provide great gifts for kids, qualify food and include into this a ‘Christmas outfit’ Instead of being a time for rest and relaxation it becomes a time of anger, overwhelming anxiety and guilt.
Everyone experiences a sense of ‘dread’ when the first Christmas baubles and puddings appear in shops. Unfortunately, the real meaning of Christmas gets lost in the glitz and sparkle of tinsel and the sound of meaningless mass produced ‘Jingle Bells’ songs.
1. Coping with Christmas Finances
Money is possible THE single biggest cause of stress at Christmas time. Gifts, food, travel and social obligations can add up quickly. Given inflation and mass advertising for toys and gadgets that target children means that many parents and families are left wondering how they are going to pay off all the credit cards.
Mental Health in the New Year can be severely impacted once the post-Christmas Credit Card bill arrives.
This year, Set yourself a Realistic Budget
Research prices online and find good deals. Scour those second-hand stores, and even FB Marketplace to see if there are quality items that someone is on-selling. These can be cleaned up, wrapped and people need never know how resourceful you have been.
Plan your menu ahead, and shop for the menu. Shop straight after breakfast. That way you won’t feel hungry. Research has shown that this reduces the amount of ‘extras’ that are bought on impulse. Consider reducing the amount of food you actually ‘need.’ Australians generally buy far too much food that can reasonably be eaten over the Christmas period, and this results in up to 50% of Christmas food being thrown into the garbage. This is a waste of money, and a waste of food!
This year it is all fast approaching, but perhaps consider planning ahead for next year by setting aside a ‘Christmas Fund’ in your bank account. Most banks easily allow a background savings account to be set up, and automatic deductions from your main account to be transferred automatically.
Be kind to yourself to help yourself in coping with Christmas Stress this year. Make small changes that save small amounts, and set yourself clear goals to help manage your finances in 2026 and beyond.
Consider Donating, or Simplifying Gift Giving
Negotiate with family to do a ‘Secret Santa’ or reach an agreement to cap the amount spent on gifts can all help to reduce costs. Consider giving to a local charity instead of to children who may already be on ‘gift overload’ by mid-Christmas day.
Create gifts such as photo calendars, photo montages and even photo books for grandparents, uncles and aunties.
Work with children to create Favour books, or coupon books as gifts so that they think about ‘doing’ things for others as their gift. These might include a shoulder massage, time spent playing a game, washing up, taking out the rubbish, or feeding the dog. The ideas are endless.
Clear spending limits help everyone feel comfortable and remove pressure to overspend. For more ideas to save and help in coping with Christmas Stress, you can use this link.
Too busy to make your own gifts?
In this rushed and frantic world making home made gifts might be cheaper, but at the cost of feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Practical gifts such as ‘Who Gives a Crap’ toilet paper, or perhaps a gift basket of toiletries can be useful and also fun. Recipes for ‘easy‘ Rum Balls, and Coconut Ice can be quick, tasty and quite cheap to make. Wrapped in some colourful cellophane and ribbon they won’t cost the earth, or break the bank. Cheap stores such as the Reject Shop, or Choice the Discount Store have cellophane and ribbon at good prices, or consider buying them ahead online.
2. The dreaded Christmas Conflict and problem Family Dynamics
We often end up spending time with people we successfully avoid the rest of the year. Unresolved conflicts, different values, lifestyle choices and old communication patterns often re-occur. Add to the mix a few alcoholic drinks, frustrations of financial stress, and the powder-keg can be lit. Christmas day is often one of the busiest days of the year for Police, as conflicts can erupt into violence.
This year be kind to yourself. Choose to breath, slow down, and change the reactive nature of conversations if this is the ‘usual’ pattern. Choose emotional intelligence. Avoid alcohol if needed, and know when to find yourself some quiet space by taking a walk, or perhaps playing a game with the kids in the back (or front) yard.
You CAN make the choice to step away from difficult situations and conversations. Limit the time spent in these situations, and have some tools to steer conversations away from sensitive topics. This can all help to reduce strain and help in coping with Christmas Stress.
Be Realistic about the Christmas Stress by Managing your Expectations
Focus on what you can control, which is yourself. Let go of the rest. Don’t expect your Christmas to be the perfect Hallmark Christmas. Instead, plan a couple of fun activities which everyone can join in, perhaps look up some simple questions that will trigger funny and possibly deep conversations. Or plan a couple of fun easy games such as Charades, or ‘Who Am I?’ type games.
3. Manage how many events you attend
Reducing the need to attend every event, and accept every invitation is important. Avoid comparing yourself to Hallmark movies, to advertising and to social media posts where the ‘perfect families’ are liberally sprawled across the screen. Remember, you live in the real world. Not movies, ads or FB. Keep it real.
Be sure to get your rest, exercise, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy food. It’s too easy to fall into eating that extra serve of pudding, eating a few too many chocolates, or drinking too much alcohol. Instead, try to stick to your sleep routine, increase your water intake, and have days where you just eat your usual foods, and avoid Christmas extravagance. This will all help you to cope with Christmas Stress.
4. Support Is Available
If the festive season feels overwhelming, help is available:
Mensline – www.mensline.org.au
Beyond Blue – www.beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline – www.lifeline.org.au
Kidshelpline – www.kidshelpline.com.au and
Parentline – www.parentline.com.au
These are just a few of the supports you might like to use if needed.
5. Remind yourself that the True Gift of Christmas is Jesus!
Jesus coming to Earth as a baby is the real gift we have all been given. He is often overlooked or completely left out of the reason we give gifts to each other at this special time of year. Take time to be grateful for the real Gift he brought to us. The Gift of eternal life, the gift of forgiveness, mercy, true justice and true love. We don’t have Peace on Earth but we can have Peace in our Hearts. We can rest, knowing we are loved, accepted and forgiven if we put our faith in Jesus and the gifts he freely offers us all.
Final Thoughts
Christmas does not need to be a fancy, over the top or stress-filled event to be meaningful. be kind to yourself this Christmas.
Focus on what you can do to manage your emotions. Keep sight of what is achievable and realistic. Protect your wellbeing and focus on the real meaning of Christmas this year, not the tinsel and dazzle of the world.
For more information on coping and resilience training for 2026 contact Step by Step Training. We can help you and your workplace to become more positive, more resilient and ultimately reduce stress and turnover.
