Stress Free Holidays Part 1
Reducing Holiday Stress Through Planning
Reducing holiday stress through planning is the goal of Part 1 of the Stress Free Holidays series.
Why do we feel stressed when the holidays roll around?
One of the big reasons for me is when I feel unprepared, or I have to rush around at the last minute doing something, like wrapping presents or making something to take to the party.
A simple way of reducing holiday stress is to plan ahead, and do the tasks at a more reasonable pace ahead of time.
Simple, huh? But it is easy to forget what needs to be done until it just about slaps you in the face, isn't it.
This series is designed to help you remember these things, so every member of the family, including you, can enjoy yourselves during the holidays.
Right now it's time to begin reducing holiday stress by preparing for two holidays, Halloween and Christmas. Halloween comes at the end of this month, and there are only 12 weeks left until Christmas, so some preliminary preparations are helpful.
Halloween Preparations For This Week - Buy Or Begin Making You Kids' Halloween Costumes
Halloween is really not that far away, and now is the time to get the kids' costumes ready (and one for yourself too, if you want).
Going out to the store now to buy the costume, or the materials necessary to make one are not going to be difficult. There are still plenty of costumes available in stores and online, and you have time to gather up accessories over the next couple of weeks.
If you wait until a few days before Halloween all of a sudden you don't have time to make the costume, or the pickings for store-bought ones are so slim your kids can get upset, because the one they wanted is gone.
Tip 1: If you are making the costume, make sure you designate enough time, consistently, over the next couple of weeks to complete it in plenty of time, in case there is need for alterations, or last minute supply buying.
Tip 2: If you buy or make the costume make sure you consider what else the kids will wear with it, such as clothing underneath if it is cool, shoes, hair and makeup, etc. If you need to get additional supplies for these parts of the costume, be on the lookout to purchase them during one of your regular shopping trips so you have everything ready by Halloween and there is no last minute scramble.
Tip 3: Have your kids decide now what they want to be on Halloween, and then make them stick to it. No changing their mind a million times, once the costume is bought or the supplies purchased.
Resource on this site to help:
Christmas Preparations For This Week - Christmas Card List And Planning Gifts
There are two assignments for this week for Christmas preparation, both of which are helpful in reducing holiday stress later in the season.
1. Create your Christmas card list. I know it may seem early to be thinking about Christmas at all, but what is one of the most time consuming and stressful parts of Christmas? Christmas cards.
What is supposed to be a nice way to wish all your close friends and family well and to keep them up to date with your life can turn into a dreaded event that is not fun at all.
That is why as part of the series there will be several small, baby step types of assignments over the next couple of weeks all about Christmas cards. I am breaking it down into manageable amounts to let it be fun and festive again, instead of a chore.
This week all you need to do is create your Christmas card list, with names and addresses. This may be simple for you, or it may be a massive chore.
If you don't have everyone's addresses gathered together already, this is a good time to start, but don't stress out. Remember, these assignments are all about reducing holiday stress, not causing it. Just send out a few crucial cards this year, and then save the cards you receive and update your list after Christmas for next year.
You should also count how many people are on your list, so you can know how many cards to purchase and send. If this amount looks a bit daunting for your budget or time consider shortening the list a bit.
Resource on the site to help you:
2. Consider who you want to give gifts to this year. Just jot down a list of those people who are special enough in your life that you want to give them a Christmas gift.
If you think of a great gift for them, go ahead and write that down too, but don't commit to it yet. This week is just about brainstorming -- later you will figure out gifts for each person that you've listed that fit your budget and your time level, especially if the gift is homemade.
Resource on the site to help you:
Additional Assignment For Week: Plan How Your Ideal Holidays Would Be
This week is all about reducing holiday stress through planning. Therefore, I also want you to sit down and really think about your ideal holidays, and how they would be.
This will really help you identify your own priorities, which will let you know what actions are worth the effort and which ones you should just stop stressing over, and not do at all.
For example, do you always run around like crazy getting ready for a big Christmas open house, but don't enjoy it at all? Instead, is your ideal holiday sitting around a fire talking to your family members?
Once you know what makes you happy and joyful it is a no brainer to cancel the open house and instead invite family members over for a quiet dinner and after-dinner game night.
Also consider your family's holiday traditions, and decide which ones you want to continue, those you want to stop, and those you want to start. This will help you in your preparations, to make sure you do the things necessary to make those traditions a reality this year.
If You're Reporting On Your Progress For This Challenge On Your Own Blog Grab This Button!
If you have your own blog, and report on your strategies for reducing holiday stress, and success with this challenge I would love it if you grabbed my button to place on your posts so everyone can participate!
Here's the code:
Related Links At Household Management 101
Home Management Courses
Holidays And Celebrations With Your Family
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