How to Prepare for a Stress-Free Holiday
The holidays are a time of celebration with family and friends. People who you haven’t seen all year round are willing to take time off to travel by plane, car, bus, or train just to make that connection. And, these winter holidays are arguably the most fun.
From childhood, we have looked forward to the meals together and getting out of school. On Thanksgiving, you sat at the kid’s table hoping that one day you could join the grownups and share in their conversation. On Christmas, the magical anticipation of that morning made it almost impossible to sleep the night before.
Now that you are an adult, the magic of the holiday season is still there but now you are the one making it special for someone else. Instead of the slow, lazy days of sugarplum dreams, you have the hectic, hair-raising responsibility of getting and keeping everything together without losing your mind.
The holidays are supposed to be all about family. Ideally, you would like to relax, share a few laughs, make some new memories and give back to your community. You’ll do all of that and much more, but you would do it better without the stress that almost certainly follows the first signs of turkeys, pumpkins, and Christmas ornaments in the stores. Now, it’s time to let the games begin.
Stress is our middle name when October rolls around. After the first of the year, you need a vacation from your vacation. But, this year will be different. With the tips and ideas in this post, you will learn how to stress less and relax more. It is a matter of preparation. You’ve tried to play it by ear before. How’d that work for you?
Today I will share with you the benefits of planning ahead.
Many of us don’t realize just how much we do until we see it on paper. With each holiday event that you involve yourself with, you will also learn how to break it down into smaller, more manageable parts so the work gets done without worry.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AHEAD
You can probably think of plenty of reasons to plan ahead… right after you say goodbye to the last visitor on December 29th or 30th and sink slowly into the couch. Somehow, when the spring of the year rolls around and all is green again our memories seem to fade. The winter holidays are a world away and we conveniently get amnesia.
For future reference, sitting on that couch is the time to start planning for next year. But, any time before November is going to benefit you big time as far as relieving the stress of preparing for the holiday season.
Here are some of the greatest benefits you’ll reap when you plan ahead.
1. Stress Less – That’s what we all want. Who wants to spend the holidays worrying about who’s picking up Grandpa Joe from the airport or where they can find a can of cranberry sauce at 4 pm on Thanksgiving Day? When things are taken care of ahead of time, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
2. Delegation – Oh the power that is in your hands! You are not the only one who has to work on holiday preparations. Get the family involved in the planning and prep work.
3. More Gets Done – Ever feel like you forgot something but just couldn’t put your finger on it? When you write things down, you don’t have to deal with the eerie feeling. And, you’ll see more check marks on your list for a job completed.
4. Feelings of Security – When you record all of your events and planning steps there is no need to keep it all in your head. You can stop popping those aspirin for your headaches.
Keep a digital copy of your schedule also so you can email it to yourself when you are out so nothing gets missed.
5. Changes are not a Problem – Is there an extra guest coming to dinner? That’s okay; you have plenty because you planned for the number plus two extra. You can switch gears without stress when there’s a plan in place.
HOLIDAY EVENTS THAT MAY GRACE YOUR CALENDAR
Kids and School
There is always something going on with the children at holiday time. For the younger ones, it may be a Thanksgiving play about the first Thanksgiving. Older kids may have dance recitals or band concerts at school on Christmas. Most schools are good about handing out those dates in advance.
The best rule of thumb here is to leave evenings free the last week before the school holiday break. There is sure to be something you’ll need to attend and you don’t want to have a conflict when it should be family time.
The Christmas holiday often means gifts for teachers. Try to be frugal. Your kids can create their own gifts to give to teachers.
Always make sure that your craft box is well stocked with construction paper, crayons, markers, stickers for all occasions, craft foam, glue, and paints. The gift ideas will more than likely be up to you so decide as early as possible, like September, what the kids are likely to gift.
Work Activities
Who’s up for this year’s office party? There is always something going on to let the employees spend time socializing away from the pressures of work.
As soon as the party date goes on the calendar, get it in gear. You’ll need to line up a sitter for your little ones for that evening and also shop for something to wear.
Sitters are usually at a premium around the holidays, so get your name on their calendar ASAP.
If you plan on taking a vacation around the holidays, you’ll want to clear all work off your desk before you go. Schedule any projects to be finished before you head out. Notify others when there is something left undone that needs to be tended to by someone else who will be there.
In the event that you have a job that closes their offices for a portion of the Thanksgiving and/or Christmas holiday, you’ll have no worries there.
Church Functions
Thanksgiving and Christmas don’t roll around without a religious function. Services are usually listed on the church calendar months ahead of time. That gives you plenty of time to prepare.
If you plan on attending a service or the kids are part of a special presentation, find out your duties.
Now you can decide on a few things…
If you are needed to prepare a dish, you can choose the dish and be sure that all ingredients are in stock in your kitchen.
Maybe you are in charge of costumes. Buy all of your supplies and get your kid’s measurements early so you can work on them when you get a free weekend, well in advance of the event.
Additionally, many people find joy in wearing faith-based apparel to church functions, especially items like meaningful patriotic Christian t-shirts. These shirts combine expressions of faith with national pride, creating a unique way to display one's beliefs and love for their country. Whether for a special church event or casual wear, adding these to your holiday wardrobe can enhance the festive and meaningful atmosphere.
Churches also help out in the community around the holidays:
Giving gifts to disadvantaged children
Serving meals in soup kitchens
Holding religious services.
These are worthwhile and fulfilling activities. Write them down on your master calendar so that you and the family can spend time together giving back to the community by helping those less fortunate than yourselves.
Gift Shopping
This is the big event that trips most of us up. As the years go by it seems like more and more people shop on Christmas Eve. Stores are staying open late to get the very last cent of your hard-earned dollars. The holidays have become too commercialized already without doing that.
The summer may be too early to think about Christmas but to save your sanity; you might want to get into the habit. You’ve heard of Christmas in July, right? Ideally, this is the perfect time to start shopping.
The people in your lives are not as much of a mystery to you as you may want to think when it comes to gift-giving.
Here’s a tip: Keep a running list of the things they say they like throughout the year. Whenever you come across one of these items, go ahead and get it and put it away for December 25th.
Some people keep a gift cabinet. It will hold all of the presents and a few extras for holiday parties, school teachers, gift exchanges, and party prizes. Once you get in the habit, you’ll love it.
Running all around town to the malls is nerve-racking not to mention time-consuming and uses a lot of gas. Try shopping for some of your gifts online. It is safe and you can order from the comfort of your own home.
Ask friends and family members about the sites they use and have a reputation for great customer service and safety. Sites like Overstock.com will ship all of your order for one low shipping fee regardless of how much is being shipped.
And don’t forget about your Christmas cards. Buy them right after Christmas for the best deals. You can begin addressing and signing them as early as October. If you order custom cards imprinted with your family name, then all you have to do is address and stamp them.
Looking for money to shop? How about a Christmas club or a savings account? Transfer money there from each paycheck so it is readily available whenever you need to pick up a gift.
Christmas Decorating
When your home is decorated, it seems to make you feel more like celebrating the holidays. When you are in a hurry, throwing decorations up here and there doesn’t feel like much fun, especially if you do it alone.
Instead of your home decoration becoming an afterthought, make it a priority.
Decorating the house is family time. Everyone needs to have a chance to participate. Set aside a time at the beginning of December when you will get ready for Christmas as a family. Even your teenagers need to be in attendance.
One magical addition to your holiday decor is lighted water lanterns, which add a warm, glowing ambiance to any setting. These can be enchanting on Christmas Eve or any holiday gathering, casting a serene light that beautifully reflects on water surfaces, enhancing the festive mood.
Here are a few more suggestions for that special day.
Shop for a Christmas tree together. Visit tree lots or the home décor store (if you like artificial trees). For your live tree, don’t forget to bring your tree stand so you can properly measure the base of the trees to make sure they will fit BEFORE you get them home. You’ll also need rope to strap the tree to the top of your car.
Make Christmas ornaments. Younger family members will like to handle the glitter, glue, and paper. An early American tradition is to string popcorn along sewing thread to make a garland for the tree.
Clothespins can be used as the base for bird, angel, and snowman ornaments. Instead of hooks, they just clip onto the branches.
Make a night of it. When you get home, turn on the CD player so there are carols playing in the background. If it is a chilly evening, have hot chocolate or spiced cider standing by.
While you’re in a festive mood, place the other decorations around the house. Since you are decorating the tree, go ahead and hang the wreath on the front door, pine garland on the mantle or banisters, and Christmas lights in the windows.
“The Relatives are coming! The Relatives are coming!”
Someone is going to visit your home this Christmas. It is just a matter of who it will be. Asking early saves you from panicking at the last minute. It also gives you time to decide where everyone will sleep.
If a family member has special needs (wheelchair access, medication issues) you can handle all of the preparations in advance.
Who will pick up Grandma and Grandpa at the airport? You can round up someone in advance so that you can do the job instead of receiving a snippy phone call from the airport saying that you forgot them. Who needs that?
Don’t forget the house cleaning. Since the kids will be out of school, draft them to help out with the work. Start with the common areas where everyone will be spending the most time.
Set aside fresh towels in each guest bedroom (or wherever the relatives will sleep) and travel-size toiletries they may have forgotten. An easy way to carry everything is to purchase small baskets. When they leave, they can take it with them if they desire.
Now, all you have to do is open the door and welcome everyone in.
Meal Time/Holiday Dinner
You were probably waiting for this subject to be brought up. It usually causes the most stress. Whether it is Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, there never seems to be enough time to prepare everything.
This year, have a strategy.
Plan your menu three weeks in advance. That means the beginning of November for Thanksgiving or the beginning of December for Christmas.
A few phone calls will let you know how many will be attending your home for dinner. Base how much you need to cook on the guest list plus two.
Stock up on staples. You can’t go wrong with having too much especially if it is something that you use a lot of. For holiday baking, purchase extra flour, sugar, raisins, nuts, yeast, butter, baking soda, and the like.
Buying more than enough vegetables like potatoes and onions is okay because you can cook and freeze them if you have to.
One week before the holiday, you can begin your prep work. Anything that can be cooked like side dishes and frozen can be taken care of.
If you have decided to do a potluck dinner, remind everyone of what they are to bring. Making a couple of extra sides just in case someone forgets.
Don’t fret. Get the family to help you out. They can actually manage the other meals so you can focus on the main holiday dinner. Together they can fix breakfast and lunch for the house.
Another easy way to cut down on time spent in the kitchen is to create casseroles ahead of time and bake when needed.
Wow, look at how much you do. Each of these categories represents a different activity that you more than likely participate in over the holidays. It really is a lot when you see it written down on paper. It’s no wonder our heads don’t pop off our shoulders. Stress can make the holidays seem more like a chore instead of a fun and relaxing time with family.
No one wants that special time with family and friends to feel like an obligation and not a pleasure.
Hopefully, you have learned a few things about how important a schedule can be. People will be amazed at all that you can get accomplished and you’ll just show them your planner and smile.
So, stress less this year. The holidays are for you too.
You want to remember precious memories not how you spent all night in the kitchen baking for the following day’s meal.
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to cherish your family and friends during the holiday season.
Take your Christmas planning to the next level with the Christmas Planning Workbook
Your Complete Holiday Planning Workbook is filled to the brim with everything you need to organize and simplify the holidays so you can enjoy quality time with your friends and family.
The beginning of your planner is all about setting goals and preserving your holiday traditions and maybe creating some new ones.
The next step is to create your holiday budget. It’s very important to do this step before you start dreaming about gift ideas, new decorations for your home, and the events you want to attend with your family.
The baking and menu sections of the Christmas Planner are perfect to plan everything from appetizers to desserts. And if hosting a cookie exchange is on your list of things to do this year then you will love the baking section of the Planner! There's a printable guidelines sheet for you to include with your invitations, a complete checklist so you don't miss a beat, and a cute printable to help you decorate the cookie table.
So, are you ready to get organized and have your best Christmas ever?! Get the Christmas Planning Workbook today!
I’m so happy you stopped by today, thank you!
BEFORE YOU GO:
Here are a few more planning posts you might find helpful:
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