1. Smile (Life is good. God has given us his Son. This is a season of joy.
2. Make a list of things to be done. (Your entire house does not have to be perfectly clean. Heck, people may be in and out of your house and you'll have to clean up after they leave, so why clean before they come. They only look at the decorations anyway. I swear on my Christmas visits I have never looked under anyones sink to see if it's neat and tidy!!!)
3. Prioritize but enjoy each priority. If you have a recital or a church service to attend, it should be something to look forward to and enjoy, not a check mark off the priority list. Come on, live for the moment!!!!!
4. Include family members in the chores. Presents to wrap???? Think gift bags and tissue paper from the dollar store. Little kids can enjoy that without you having to help them with tape, scissors and ribbons. Cookies to bake?? Too overwhelming??? Think Kroger bakeshop!!!!! They have some cookies that really look homemade - you'll spend less money and won't have as many left over at the end of the season!!! Oh heck, put them on a pretty plate and who will know the difference!!!
5. Now to the shopping. Don't make it a drudge. When I run out of time, I shop online!!!! I try to make each shopping spree an occasion. I listen to the holiday music as I shop, keep a smile on my face and think of all the wonderful memories that each song brings back to me. I make an effort to brighten someones day (actually that's pretty selfish of me cause I think it makes me feel better than I've made them feel). When my kids were too small to shop with me, I'd call a friend or family member to do a babysitting swap. I'd watch their kids one night while they went out shopping and they'd watch my kids while I went out shopping. When I watched their kids, we'd have a fun time baking cookings or wrapping gifts. Have fun!!!!!
6. When you feel yourself getting totally stressed, take 1 hour, make a pot of tea or pour a glass of wine, put your feet up, put on the Christmas music, close your eyes and treat yourself to total relaxation. 1 hour, that's all it will take if you really stop and enjoy the moment.
Not everything on your priorty list will get done. So what. Don't let it get you down. Life will go on. Your family will still love you and you will still love them.
It took me many years to learn that I can't make everything perfect no matter how hard I try!!!!!lol The only person that ever overwhelmed or depressed me at Holiday time was ME!!!!
God love you!!
If these little hints don't work, take two aspirin and call me in the morning!!
Take care my friends
Karan
