Tips For A Stress-Free Christmas: Part 3

Organizing for Christmas is a task in and of itself.

Where do you even begin?
I decided to share with you a few questions, a few thoughts, and a few ideas on how to have a more low-key Christmas season.

1. Think about Christmases of the past.

• What are some of the traditions you would like to hold to?
• What do you remember the most about last Christmas? Can you do that again?
• What stressed you out the most? How can you prevent it this season?

2. Think about your values. It is easy to get caught up in the buying mode, where we buy to impress others. What are you letting influence your values – magazines, ads, websites, blogs, media in general? Decide what you want YOUR Christmas to look like – don’t try to reflect someone else’s.

3. Does your faith play a part in your Christmas? Faith is what drives ours. Every year, we try to find different ways to grow in our faith and every year, we are more and more humbled at the gift of Christmas. It is easy to lose sight of the reason for the season, but keeping a right mind and heart, is a great place to start.

4. Don’t buy a Christmas tree or decorate: before you call me the Grinch, the reason I say that is because maybe buying a tree and decorating isn’t even worth it? Are you going to be gone for a good chunk of December? If so, is it worth buying a tree? Is decorating your house, going to cause you too much stress? If so, consider scaling back on the decorating for a year and then reevaluate the next year.

5. Don’t send out Christmas cards: again, not trying to be negative nelly, but if it’s too much stress, don’t do it. You will still be loved (hopefully) by family members, even if you don’t send them out.

6. Ask for help – don’t be afraid to ask your family to assist you in wrapping, baking, cleaning, etc. You maybe are not the only person living in the house, so rally the troops!

7. Check your gift wrap supplies. Do you need to buy more paper? Or do you have so many scraps, that you could stand to use UP what you have? Don’t try to bring a fashion statement to the party with your presents – just use what you have.

8. Create a Christmas center in your home. You are probably thinking “but WHERE?” That is a good question. Maybe this “center” is a traveling center. Maybe it’s on a cardtable. Maybe it’s on the floor. Wherever it may be, it is a wise idea to have all of your gift wrap, gift bags, ribbon, scissors, tape, pens, twine, etc., all in one area. To spruce it up, plug in a cd player and play your favorite Christmas music!

9. Don’t forget to breathe. Christmas is supposed to be memorable and enjoyable – don’t let yourself get too wound up. Enjoy the presence of family, of being together, and take time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

I hope these little tid bits of information will help you have a WONDERFUL Christmas season!

What are your favorite Christmas traditions? I would love to hear about them!