Gift-Wrapping and Preparing for Holiday Gatherings: Small Steps for Big Results
The holiday season is filled with tasks, from gift-wrapping to preparing for family gatherings and festive outings. For people with ADHD, tackling these tasks can quickly feel overwhelming, especially when there are so many details to remember and limited time to get everything done. Trying to complete all of the preparations in one go can lead to stress, frustration, and burnout.
At ProADHD Coaching, we know that breaking tasks down into small, manageable steps can make a big difference in reducing holiday stress. In this article, we’ll explore practical ways to simplify holiday prep—whether it’s wrapping gifts, organizing essentials, or getting ready for gatherings. By taking small steps, you can stay on top of holiday tasks and enjoy the season with greater ease.
Breaking Down Gift-Wrapping into Manageable Tasks
Gift-wrapping can be fun, but if you have a long list of presents to wrap, it can also feel like a huge task. Breaking down the process into smaller steps can make gift-wrapping feel more enjoyable and less daunting:
- Gather Your Materials First: Start by collecting all the wrapping materials you’ll need—paper, scissors, tape, bows, and tags. Having everything in one place prevents interruptions and keeps you focused. If you can, set up a wrapping station where everything is ready to go.
- Wrap in Small Batches: Instead of wrapping everything at once, aim to wrap just a few gifts at a time. For example, you might set a goal to wrap three or four gifts each evening. Taking it slow helps prevent burnout and keeps the task manageable.
- Organize by Person or Category: If you have gifts for multiple people, consider wrapping them by person or category. This way, you’re able to focus on a specific group, like gifts for family members or gifts for colleagues, making the process feel more organized.
- Add Personal Touches in Stages: If you like to add tags, ribbons, or bows, do these finishing touches in stages. Wrapping the gifts first, then adding decorations later can break up the task into smaller, more enjoyable steps.
Breaking down gift-wrapping into manageable chunks allows you to focus, stay organized, and avoid feeling overwhelmed by a large pile of unwrapped gifts.
Preparing for Gatherings in Advance
Holiday gatherings often require planning, from choosing an outfit to organizing items to bring along. Preparing for these events in advance can help reduce last-minute stress and ensure you’re ready to enjoy the gathering:
- Set Out Clothes the Night Before: If you’re attending a holiday event, choose your outfit the day before. This includes clothes, shoes, accessories, and any extras like a coat or scarf. Having everything ready makes it easier to get dressed without rushing or second-guessing.
- Create a “Go Bag” with Essentials: Prepare a small bag with essentials like your phone charger, wallet, keys, and any items you may need for the gathering, such as a small gift or snacks. Keeping a “go bag” by the door ensures you’re ready to head out without scrambling for items at the last minute.
- Organize Gifts and Cards Ahead of Time: If you’re bringing gifts or cards to the gathering, place them near your bag or in your car the day before. This reduces the chance of forgetting anything and helps make leaving the house smoother.
- Review Directions or Travel Plans: If the gathering is at a new location, take a few minutes to review directions or plan your travel route in advance. This simple step reduces stress, allowing you to feel more prepared and confident about getting there on time.
Preparing in advance helps you feel more organized and less stressed, making it easier to enjoy the gathering from the start.
Using Lists and Checklists for Holiday Prep
A list can be a powerful tool for staying organized, especially when there are multiple holiday tasks to complete. Here’s how to make the most of checklists for holiday prep:
- Create a Master Checklist for the Season: Make a general checklist of all the tasks you need to accomplish during the holidays, from shopping and wrapping to meal prep and travel plans. Breaking it down by category helps you stay organized and provides a clear overview of what’s left to do.
- Use Daily or Weekly Lists: If your master checklist feels overwhelming, break it down into daily or weekly tasks. For example, you might have a daily goal like “wrap two gifts” or a weekly goal like “finish holiday card mailing.” Smaller lists make tasks more achievable.
- Check Off Completed Tasks for Motivation: Marking off completed tasks can provide a sense of accomplishment, keeping you motivated to move on to the next item. Seeing your progress visually can also reduce feelings of overwhelm.
- Add Details to Important Tasks: For more complex tasks, like planning a gathering or organizing travel, consider adding details to the checklist. Breaking each step down into smaller parts, like “make guest list” or “book travel tickets,” can make larger tasks feel more manageable.
Using lists allows you to keep track of tasks, focus on one thing at a time, and build momentum as you work through holiday preparations.
Setting a Timer to Avoid Burnout
Setting a timer for holiday prep tasks can help you stay productive without feeling drained. Here’s how a timer can make a difference:
- Work in Short, Focused Sessions: Set a timer for 20-30 minutes, and focus on one specific task, like wrapping gifts or organizing items for a gathering. Taking this focused approach allows you to make progress without feeling like you have to finish everything in one go.
- Take Short Breaks Between Sessions: After each timer session, take a 5-minute break to stretch, have a glass of water, or relax. These breaks prevent burnout, allowing you to come back to tasks with fresh energy.
- Use Timers to Structure Tasks by Priority: If you have a few different tasks to complete, use separate timers to allocate time to each one. For example, you might set a timer for 15 minutes for wrapping, then another 10 minutes for preparing your “go bag.” This approach helps you tackle multiple tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
Timers create structure and keep you focused, making it easier to complete holiday prep tasks with minimal stress.
Conclusion
Holiday prep doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking down tasks like gift-wrapping and gathering preparation into small steps, using checklists, and setting timers, you can tackle holiday to-dos with greater ease and less stress. Remember, small steps can lead to big results, making it possible to enjoy a more relaxed and organized holiday season.
If you’d like additional support for managing ADHD during the holidays, consider reaching out to ProADHD Coaching. Our team is here to provide guidance, tools, and personalized strategies to help you stay organized and enjoy the season.