Work, sports, kid’s homework projects, errands…the list goes on and on for our normal weekly activities, just thinking about juggling holiday activities can bring on a serious dose of anxiety.
Staying organized through thoughtful planning and time management will help you beat the stress of the holidays and help you feel more in control.
First, sit down and really think about what you want the holidays to be about for your family. Will it be all about the gifts? Will it be all about the decorations? Or will it be about spending quality time with family and friends, creating traditions and reaching out to those in need? Knowing how you want to spend your time will help you decide when to say yes and when to politely say no to the many demands on your time. My rule of thumb for a request for my time is: “Am I saying yes because I want to or because I feel obligated?” Whenever possible, don’t say yes to something you don’t want to do just because you have been asked.
So now that you are thinking about how you want to spend your time, here are some easy ways to simplify the tasks of the season:
Holiday Cards: Create a document for address labels on your computer to quickly print mailing labels and get your cards in the mail on time. You can update and save addresses throughout the year. If a label seems too impersonal, use a decorative holiday label and be sure to place a personal message in the card. Loved ones would rather receive a card and a special message with a label than no card at all.
Holiday Letters: Create a “Holiday” folder on your computer. Inside make a file listing each month. Jot down notes for important events that happen throughout the year and it will be easy to compose a letter at the holidays. If you are short on time, try sending a postcard with family updates or photos.
Entertaining: Everything doesn’t have to be homemade and you can save time and energy by making a meal a potluck. If dinner seems like too much, just have company over for dessert and good conversation. Being together is what matters most.
Decorating: If you don’t feel like going all out this year, it’s ok to keep decor simple and still feel in the holiday spirit. Try burning scented candles in holiday colors, decorate with fresh poinsettias, display your children’s holiday artwork and fill candy dishes with holiday goodies.
Errands & Shopping: Make your list and check it twice. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I know it’s time to break out a list. Simply writing down what you need to do can help you feel more focused and help prioritize your time. Create two lists: One list of all the people you need to shop for and keep it with you. The other list should be a manageable number of errands or tasks that need to be completed in a day or a week’s time.
Focus on how you want to celebrate this season and then make your time work for you so you can enjoy a meaningful holiday season!
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