Calming The Christmas Chaos

Life is busy and the holidays are here again.
Are you like me and wonder how in the world can you possibly add any more busy to your busy?
This is the time of the year that I find no matter how badly I want a stress free holiday season, I can't seem to find it possible.
I have vowed this year will be different.

This year I am going to strive, with God's help, to make it possible.

We have been under so much stress from the past couple of months, and years, that I can not possibly go into a new load of stress now.

Nope, (I know this isn't grammatically correct), this is not happening this year.
Here are some ideas of how we can accomplish this.

Put your decorations up early in the season.

•       This will allow you the opportunity to enjoy your decorations and take this big task off your plate.

Look through your favorite Christmas cookie or treat recipes and pick  3-5 your favorite recipes.

•        Compile a shopping list to purchase the necessary ingredients for your baked goods.

•        Shop only for your baked goods so you can easily focus on that one task while you are at the grocery store.

•         Having your supplies already on hand will allow you the opportunity to bake when you find you have the extra time.

Do you send out Christmas cards?

•        Make your list and upon completion, narrow down your list to between 10-20 of your favorite people.

•       This will allow you more time to do something else so you are not overwhelmed by filling out so many cards.

•       It will be better on your finances because it will cut down how many cards you will be buying, making, and mailing.

Make a list of all the people you wish to buy Christmas presents for.

•         Beside each person write down the amount of money you wish to spend on them and stay within that budget.
•         Beside each person write down a generic idea of what you wish to buy them.
•         Lastly, be prepared to go shopping as soon as you finish you list.
•        This will free up more time allowing you to remove time consuming project.
•        Try to get all your shopping done in the first two week of December if you haven't started yet.
•        Remember the most important point to the gift giving, do not go into debt to keep up with the Joneses.

      This area might require prayer and good communication with family members and determine if your finances are tight, you do not have to buy gifts for everyone you know.
      Learn to prioritize your list. This will be hard and stressful, but once this task is complete the stress is gone.
As you go about your day, don't be afraid to turn on your Christmas music and your lights and enjoy your home.
       Light a Christmas scented candle or diffuse your favorite essential oil for a calming atmosphere.
      If you have a few extra minutes bake up a Christmas treat or cookies for your family to enjoy later.
Lastly, I know many of you stay busy going from activity to party to activity to party.
     Put some careful consideration to what you can say no to.
     We have already taken 2 activities off our plate in order to destress our Holiday Season.
     Make a list of everyone's activity and decide as a family how many can you safely participate with before your family becomes stressed out over all of them.
     Remember a key point to the holiday season, that is to enjoy your own family and make good memories together.
    You don't want your kids to grow up remembering how busy you were that you weren't home to enjoy them as a family.
It is my genuine desire to destress this Holiday Season so we can truly enjoy it this year.
     Take the time to enjoy the lights, the music, the sights and sounds of the season.
     You won't regret it. Love your family and give them extra hugs.  Don't forget the best present you can give them is your presence.