The holidays are one of my favorite times of the year. It starts with fun fall activities in October like watching scary movies and heading to pumpkin patches. Once Fright Night passes, the preparations for Thanksgiving begin. Turkey Day menus are made and porches are decorated with harvest-style displays. Beautiful tablescapes litter my instagram feed, making me feel like a Pumpkin Princess as I place newly-painted white pumpkins on my own table. Thanksgiving is filled with gratitude and stuffing and the moment it’s over,  the countdown to Christmas begins. 

Although it is my favorite time of the year, the holidays are stressful. They’re known to set off a merry meltdown or two. There are gifts to be bought, things to be wrapped, food to cook and for some, children to care for. With all of our preparations for the holidays, it can be very easy to move too quickly and forget about the people closest to us who matter the most. Our support systems take a big hit from stressful times, so here are four easy ways to reconnect with your loved ones this holiday season. 

Send a personal note with your Christmas cards 

It doesn’t take too long to pen a note to your cousin, grandmother, or brother who lives across the country. They’ll be so pleased to see your effort on paper that it’ll bring a smile to the recipients face. Besides, it’s a great excuse to use Christmas colored pens. 

Facetime

This really goes without saying because it’s so easy to video-call your friends and family these days. Texting doesn’t make the cut, and it can be really hard to live away from your family. It can be even harder to live nearby but to be busy enough that you don’t have quite enough time to dedicate to them regularly. 

Schedule a time to Facetime your mom while you’re baking cookies. Crack open g-chat and set up a video with your best friend while you decorate your trees. 

Remember to communicate

Making time for friends and family at the holidays is hard, but if you make an effort to slow down, you’ll reap the benefits. For one thing, you won’t be so stressed out. 

My husband and I make sure that we have 10 minutes of talk time most days. We’re both busy with our work and hobbies, so it can be hard to find time together to enjoy the season. In those busy times, remember the small things count. 

A quick, “I love you, Sweetie” goes a long way, even if you’re not one for pet names like honey or sweetie. Even if you’re feeling a little funny about the pet name game, babe or baby is the most common one and apparently, psychology says nicknames are good for your relationships because they’re part of a language you build with your boo. Why not pull out all the stops to make it more special? 

Begin a new tradition

Me and my family are all about the traditions at this time of year. We love doing things a similar way because it somehow makes us all the more excited for the holidays when they come. Remember that wonderful thing we did last year? Yeah, let’s do that again! 

Starting a new holiday tradition doesn’t have to be too extensive. It can be something as simple as watching a new Christmas movie once a week during the holiday season. It can be as simple as exchanging cards a day early on the 23rd. 

This year, my husband and I are beginning a new tradition by going out to dinner on the night before Christmas Eve. We’re helping host Christmas, so we’re taking time to go out and reconnect. 

What will you do to connect with your loved ones this season?