Take the Stress out of the Holidays

The holiday season should be full of fun and rich in family traditions.  Unfortunately much of the responsibility of making the holiday for the family rests on one person’s  shoulders.  This year, make a vow to  yourself that you will enjoy the season.  

1. Make up a holiday calendar, and stick it on your refrigerator or some other central space. Plan out your month and set solid deadlines.  
2. Make a list: as a matter of fact, make a bunch of them.  As the saying goes, the brain is for having ideas, not for holding them.  Having plans for meal and grocery lists, decorations and presents to buy helps you feel like you are in control, that the month is not controlling you. 
3. Make a budget, and stick to it.  Many people find that the Christmas season puts them into the hole for the rest of the year. Create a budget, and corresponding expense tracker, to make sure that you are on budget. 
4. Fill your Holiday season with experiences, not presents.  Find out what is going on in your community. Even if you are alone, go to the tree lighting ceremony, the Christmas parade, local craft sales and musical events. Check out your municipality website to find out what is available. Just like traditions create family bonds, city events make us feel connected and part of the larger community. Organize a craft night with friends.  My grown daughters are going to put together wreaths, for our front doors. Plan a cookie decorating afternoon with the littles in your family.  
5. Do as much stuff up front as possible. Wrap your presents as you bring them into the house, freeze cookie dough to be baked later. 
6. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. We self-sabotage when we plan too much and don’t have the time.