Avoid Holiday Stress

The holidays are meant to be merry, but unfortunately they are too often a time of high stress But they certainly don't have to be, If you keep some tips in mind you can not only survive the season but enjoy it as well.

Money, money, money
Polls consistently show that one of the biggest sources of stress during the holidays are worries about money The best advice is to set a budget and then track your purchases to make sure you are sticking to it. Creating lists of what you want to buy may also help you cut down on spontaneous purchases that break your budget. If your children's wish lists are longer than you can afford, let them know early and often that they should expect only a few things from their lists so they aren't disappointed.

Or spread the lists to family members who normally buy gifts for your children to improve your chances that your children will receive the gifts they want. Here's where it is good to remember, too, that the reason for the season isn't about receiving gifts. When your holiday season is done, you probably won't wish you had spent more money on presents.

Start now
Don't wait. Get shopping and baking - or whatever else you need to do - immediately. The faster you start, the more time you have to accomplish all of your tasks. You also will have time to build in moments for yourself like having lunch with a friend in between bouts of shopping.

Prioritize
List each task you hope to complete. What is the most important? What can you eliminate that won't matter as much? Set your priorities and start working away. Cut yourself some slack. You only have so much time. You aren't going to create a perfect Hallmark holiday no matter how much time you have. So begin with the most critical items and do your best.