It's no secret Christmas seems to be sneaking in earlier and earlier each year. This year I even noticed ads in late September mentioning layaway plans. The companies didn't mention the words holiday or Santa, but we all know layaway plans come but once a year. All of the extra attention can lead to early anxiety for shoppers and holiday hostesses, but I'm a firm believer the holidays don't have to (and shouldn't) be stressful. All it takes is a little planning.
Christmas Cards/Letters: Keep one compiled copy of all addresses and update it as needed throughout the year. This saves the trouble each year of looking online and in different books and desk drawers wondering if you have the most recent mailing addresses.
Baking: Team up with friends or relatives for a cookie exchange. Have each person prepare two recipes and exchange the end results. This is a fun and easy way to have a variety of cookies at each home with only the work of preparing two recipes.
Shopping: Make a list, check it twice, and most importantly: stick to it! It's much easier to stay on budget if you know in advance exactly what you're purchasing. As for shopping methods, there are several options. You can pace your shopping over a few weeks so it's not such a one-time financial burden (unless you're wasting a tank of gas each trip) or do all your shopping at once to be done with it. I think the key is to find what works for you - and stick to your list! The more prepared you are the less time you'll spend agonizing in the store. If possible, wrap gifts the same day you purchase them. This will save you an extra day of work in the long run, and you won't have to worry about spoiling surprises for snoopy loved ones!
Cleaning & Cooking: Don't leave all the work for one day! Give yourself a break by spreading the work over the days leading up to the big event. Clean the upstairs/bedrooms one day, downstairs the next, and peel potatoes, prep the veggies for stuffing, make the pies and set the table the day before.
Remember the Real Meaning: The holidays don't have to and should not be stressful. The more prep work you do leading up to a holiday the more quality time you have to spend with your guests. No one will notice if everything is not perfect, and true friends and family recognize it's the thought that counts.
Merry Christmas!
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