Relieve Holiday Stress: Shop Early, Make Lists and More Ideas

Goodness! It seems like only yesterday I was taking down the Christmas tree and outdoor decorations. I've always been one of those people who believe in taking down the Christmas stuff the day after Christmas. But, truthfully, is it really that time again? My, My, the older we get, the faster the hands of time seem to spin around. Oh, well, where did I put those boxes of decorations.

As I grow older I have come to realize that some shortcuts are okay, especially during the holiday seasons. Honestly, most people won't know if you scrubbed your house from top to bottom before decorating. They really won't even care. The decorations are the main attractions. That's what everyone is looking at, not the slightly smudged windows. And besides, that's what spring cleaning is all about.

Another idea I have come to appreciate is going ahead and decorating early. I used to shake my head at people out on a warm day in early November putting up Christmas lights. But then when I was out in the cold in December struggling to get my own lights up, ding, a light went on inside my brain. Duh, those people I laughed at for putting their lights up in November are now probably laughing at me. While I'm struggling in the cold, they're flipping a switch and turning their lights on. Now tell me, who's the smart one?

So I've come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is to catch a pretty day and do your outside decorations. You don't have to turn them on if you don't want to until after Thanksgiving. That's up to you. And since you are already done with the outside decorating before the holiday season officially starts, it will ease the "To Do" list greatly. Ah, ha, you've just gotten rid of some of that stress from too much to do. The inside decorations can be done on a snowy day when you would be stuck inside anyway.

Another smart thing to do is to start your shopping early. Buy things as you find them and just hide them back. Pay cash as often as possible. Things you spot on the internet or in catalogs that have to be ordered, go ahead and order them. That way you won't wait too late and then be searching desperately for the same item. Plus you will probably end up paying more than the shipping charges in gas and, more importantly, time. Also, money worries seem to be even greater during the holidays. So by going ahead and buying during the other months of the year, you save the stress of spending more than you have during the holiday season. That stress load is getting lighter by the minute.

I am a huge fan of lists. Always make a list of what you need before you go shopping. Whether it is Christmas shopping or grocery shopping, make a list. Try to put similiar items together and locate them while in that section. Stick to your list. Impulse buying is one of the biggest mistakes we make. If you decide to brave the crowds and go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, have a list of what you are looking for. Don't just buy because something is on sale.

It never hurts to purchase a few "impersonal" gifts for those surprise visitors who come bearing gifts. Or just in case some long forgotten relative drops by. Nicely scented candles make great gifts. Or a small cheese gift box. And if you don't have to give them out, you can always use them yourself after the holidays.

Cooking and baking can also create stress for the already overburden wife and mother. There is absolutely nothing wrong with ordering cakes and pies for your holiday meals. Many people today are ordering their entire meals. Things like pumpkin rolls and Christmas candy are delicious, but take time to prepare. Why not help out that church group that is selling the Christmas desserts? Not only do you benefit the church, you relieve some of the stress of having to prepare those items yourself. You don't have to come out and tell everyone you didn't make that candy. Let them assume whatever they want. And pumpkin rolls make great last minute gifts also. So buy a few extra, wrap them in your own special packages, and hand them out to the lucky recipients.

Try some of these holiday stress reliever ideas for yourself. You may surprise yourself and actually start enjoying the holidays once again.