Christmas should be a joyous, magical time full of loving moments spent with friends and family. Sadly, many people find the holidays a source of additional stress in an already hectic life. Do you dread the holidays? Are you eager for Christmas to be over so you can have a rest? It is hard to make time in our already-crowded schedules for baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, concerts and entertaining. As the “chief elves” responsible for most of our family's Christmas, women often end up frazzled and exhausted. Here are some tips to help you cope:
1. Begin by modifying your expectations - decide what can be reasonably accomplished and let some of the “have to's” go.
2. Make a list of the jobs to be done, and start delegating. Things may not be done exactly as you like them, but you can adjust. Refuse to be a perfectionist.
3. Begin early. Being organized is one of the best Christmas gifts you can give yourself.
4. Why not get the kids to write your Christmas letter this year?
5. Bake easy-to-freeze treats, or better yet, participate in a baking exchange, support a local bake sale or hire a friend who is short of cash to bake for you.
6. Keep a small hardcover book with your gift list at all times. List two or three possibilities for each person's gift. Keep the last few years' lists in the same book so you don't give the same present twice.
7. Rather than trudging from store to store, use your phone to shop. Looking for a particular item? Let family and friends know what you are looking for so they can call you if they see it; perhaps they can pick it up for you.
8. If you can't avoid shopping in December, go earlier in the day as well as earlier in the week.
9. Give magazine subscriptions - you don't even have to leave the house to order them!
10. Give family gifts rather than individual ones to friends and relatives. You'll save time, wrapping, and money.
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