For many
people, no matter what holidays are celebrated, the beginning of November
signals the beginning of the end – Umm - I mean the end of another year. September
is a whirlwind and October is gone before we know it. Then, it happens.
November arrives.
To many of us, the last months of the year are a blur. It
doesn’t help matters that many retailers already have upbeat Christmas music
playing before dust has had time to settle on our Thanksgiving décor. The sale
signs, the Christmas décor, the wonderful new coffee flavors at Starbucks and
the non-stop commercials advertising the newest gizmos and gadgets are enough
to put us into holiday panic and the countdown begins.
The stressful thoughts send
our brains into overdrive. “The airports and roads are going to be a mess! I hope we don’t get stuck somewhere. What if the house isn’t ready on time? What
will my mother-in-law think? How many cookies can one person actually bake? I
have to have the perfect presents for EVERYONE! Oh, how I hate holiday traffic.
How many parties do we have to attend? We have got to get our Christmas cards
in the mail today! I am so tired and I still haven’t wrapped all of the
presents. Now, where is the note for Santa? Oh my goodness, I can’t wait until
the holidays are over. Can I just hibernate until spring?”
The holidays do not need to be this stressful. With a little
planning and taking time to rejuvenate, we can have a successful holiday season
and focus on what matters most - making
lifelong memories with family and friends. We also want to take part in making
memories, not missing them because we were running around as busy as a bee.
Remember
to take time for yourself: This is the most important tip. If we are tired and run down, we are
susceptible to illness. Read a book, listen to music or take a long bath. Make
sure you get plenty of sleep. Make time for exercise. And, no matter how
difficult it may be – eat healthy. All of these things will provide you the
energy you need for all of the tasks ahead.
Give
back: Use your time
to help others instead of spending countless hours in traffic or at the mall.
Volunteer to feed the homeless. Sing carols to children in the hospital or
elderly in a nursing home. Donate money to a worthy cause. Pack gifts to send
to troops or children overseas. Help instill giving in your children by
allowing them to donate some of their good toys to those in need. Helping
others will give you joy.
Shop
smart: Begin in
January by updating Christmas gift lists and setting money aside. By having money
budgeted, you will not overspend. You will also be able to purchase items
throughout the year making impulse buys less likely. Shop around for promotions
and coupons and shop online.
Use your
talents: Make gifts for others instead of buying them.
Some great gifts that fall into this category are photo albums from companies
such as Shutterfly, homemade sugar scrubs, sewn items, hand-built furniture, art,
and themed gifts. An online search for inexpensive DIY gifts will bring up a
lot of ideas. Giving a coupon for your services throughout the year is also a
great idea. One husband actually gave his wife a coupon good for one year’s
worth of dish washing by him! What wife wouldn’t want that?
Plan
ahead: Prepare and freeze some meals ahead of time
for those days when everyone is tired of turkey or ham – lasagna is good for
this. Cookie dough can also be made ahead of time and frozen (it will stay good
for 4-6 weeks if double wrapped). Shortbreads, chocolate chip, peanut butter,
and sugar cookies freeze best. Set up a gift wrapping station and wrap and
label presents as you bring them home or they arrive via UPS, FedEx or Santa. Update
your address list in January right after the holidays to save time next year.
Decorate and clean as you go throughout the month. Your home doesn’t need to be
immaculate – just warm and inviting. Clean the fireplace and purchase firewood.
Add clean sheets to the beds along with soft throws. For a special touch,
purchase matching PJs for your family and cozy slippers for your guests. If you
are traveling, pack travel kits to keep your children entertained on the road
or in the air.
Learn to
say No: We know
ourselves best. If we are normally prone to stress, the holidays will be no
different. You cannot possibly attend all of the parties or participate in all
of the cookie swaps. Choose to attend the events you know you will enjoy the
most – the ones where special memories will be made.
Create
your own traditions:
Trying to keep up with all of the traditions this time of year will drive you
crazy. Try to set a few traditions that you and your family really enjoy and
will want to recreate each year. For our family, some of these traditions
include visiting the pumpkin patch and apple orchard, decorating the tree
together, reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve, and attending our
Christmas Eve service at church. This year, we hope to add a couple of new
traditions with our one year old son. Also take time to remember those family
members who have passed away. Remembering these family members will help
alleviate the sadness that enters too many homes during the holidays. Add
holiday magic by decorating with items that have special meaning such as a bowl
of ornaments made by your children.
Whatever your plans for the holidays, the memories made
during this time of year are ones to be treasured. Try to find ways to relax
and enjoy this time of year. It will be here and gone before we know it.
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