6 Ways to Have More Fun This Christmas

Source: CC Zero, used with permission

1. Ditch a tradition that's become tired or boring.

Personal and family traditions are an important part of the holiday season but sometimes we continue things that aren't all that fun. Take inventory of your traditions and see if any need to be struck off your list. For example, it could be something you do on Christmas Day or a particular gift you give someone every year. Clean out a tradition that has become stale to make room for a new one. See below.

2. Create a new adult-themed tradition.

People sometimes have a sense that the holidays are really about children and them having fun, and the adults just get stuck with the credit card bills. If you're in this particular rut, think about what would make the holidays fun for you. It could be making some adults-only treats like bourbon balls or deciding to binge- or re-watch a TV series with your significant other every holiday season.

Recognize that the great part of the holidays for adults is that you can decide what you want to do with your day off work.

3. Create a tradition that connects you with your inner child.

To balance out the adult-themed tradition you just created, try one that reconnects you with what's fun about Christmas for kids. This could be something like making pancakes in the shape of your initials on Christmas morning, decorating cookies, making Christmas ornaments, dressing up, or whatever reminds you of why you found Christmas fun as a kid.

4. Give yourself a gift that will reduce your future stress.

Think about what gifts would reduce your future stress. It could be things like:

• Buying a Dropbox subscription or some other types of backup solution for your computer
• Making an extra contribution to your 401K to reduce your upcoming tax bill
• Fixing something around your home that is broken and driving you nuts
• Trading up to a better health insurance product so you're not so worried about the cost of getting sick

The above might sound boring but if you focus on something where the payoff is reduced stress on an ongoing basis, all of a sudden they might start to seem more exciting.

5. Give yourself more time to get things done.

Since it's easy to underestimate how long things will take, try allowing yourself 20-25% more time over and above the length of time you expect any task to take. This will allow you to have more fun with whatever it is you're doing, rather than rushing and feeling time-crunched.

You can recapture this additional time by simplifying and streamlining e.g., making one less dish for your holiday table, or allowing a guest to bring the dessert.

6. Accept non-perfection.

People who put a lot of effort into Christmas often want it to go perfectly and feel disappointed and frustrated when it doesn't. From travel delays to grumpy relatives, to failed baking or people not loving their gifts as much as you expected, there is always stuff that doesn't go perfectly and is beyond your control, no matter how much you try to channel your inner Martha Stewart or Gwyneth Paltrow.

Find me on Twitter @DrAliceBoyes.