There is no denying it: the holidays are rapidly approaching. Thanksgiving will be over before we know it, and then Christmas is upon us. While this time of year is a favorite for most kids, it can be quite stressful for busy moms.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to minimize the stress of the holidays. Here are a few tips:
If you have not already started Christmas shopping, go now! The more you can get done before December, the better. Be strategic: try to go during the day on weekdays if you can (to avoid the crowds that are already gathering). If you are feeling particularly organized, make lists of things that you are looking for and split it up by store.
Buy ingredients for holiday cooking now! As Christmas creeps closer and closer, basic ingredients will become more expensive. Buy your non-perishables now to avoid spending an arm and a leg.
Delegate tasks to family members. If you are eating with relatives for the holidays, split the meal up between everyone. You can also delegate tasks like addressing holiday cards to older children.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy your family over the next month and a half! The holidays usually provide a great opportunity for bonding and having fun together. Even if you feel like you have a million things to do and will never finish everything on time, make sure you remember what the most important thing is: enjoying those you love the most.
Maria_M27on November 19 2009 14:05:44
Great advice. The most important thing to remember is to get organized. Lists are especially helpful since it can be hard to keep track of everything all at once. Also, it's OK to say no. No one expects you to do everything, so delegate/ share tasks with others.
