"Christmas Crazies"

Ever notice how crazy people get around the holidays?

Not just about decorating but about gifts for so & so. Then there's the parties & the food etc...

People to me just seem uber stressed from a few days before Thanksgiving till AFTER New Years. That is just way too much time to be stressed, esp. during such a wonderful time of yr too!!

I used to be that way, too. Im not gunna lie, I used to run around like a chicken with my head cut off, everything had to be just so. I needed this recipe for this party & I needed to get my shopping done. Who have I bought for already? etc... Jackie remembers those days, she lived them with me!!

But idk when/what came over me & I stopped wasting my time stressing over it all & started to enjoy it more.

The holidays are a time to spend w/friends & family. Guess what?! If they are your friends (or family) they already know how NOT perfect you are & yet they still love you. They love you for your tiny flaws.

I know you have soo many ppl to buy gifts for, parties to attend or throw, cards to mail out, food to cook, etc.. Heres how I de-stressed myself:

-Christmas Cards: I ordered them before Thanksgiving. One less thing to worry about. Crossed off my list.

-I wasn't cooking Thanksgiving dinner this yr & it was not at my house. Just making a pie. Easy! Made it the night before after E went to bed.

-While the pie was baking I sat down & made a list of everyone who I was sending Christmas cards too & on the other side who I was buying gifts for & ideas of what I wanted to get them (makes shopping easier, if you have an idea)

-Then I called M & asked If he minded doing his family so It was a few less things to pack in the move. We talked about what we were getting everyone & then all he had to do was go buy it. Easy.

-I addressed cards one Saturday while E was eating lunch, dropped them in the mailbox the following Monday. No need for the post office or its crazy lines!

-The shopping. I decided that this year I was going to do it all online. So once I figured what I was getting everyone, I went on a virtual hunt for the best deals. This is so much easier then dragging E to the mall & in & out of a zillion stores. Fighting over parking spots and dealing with sick, flu-y people. No thanks. Plus most places were running great deals Black Friday-Cyber Monday.

-The parties. I have 3 to go to this yr. I decided what I was going to wear to them all last week & besides my presence (& maybe a bottle of wine) I don't need to bring anything. I am not throwing one this yr. (next year for sure!!) My parents are but Thats their stress. Not mine. I have offered help & been denied, I only offer once to keep stress to a minimum. Take it, or leave it.

I understand that if you're doing the cooking for Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner and having a house full of people all holiday season long, due to relatives staying or parties its harder to de-stress, but there is always a way to have less stress in one's life.

Make lists so you don't have to make multiple trips to the market.

Know who/what your buying for Christmas gifts so you don't over buy & set price limits, that usually helps too.

These are all just suggestions. Everyone's lives are different. What worked for me may not work for you. I wish you the best of luck in de-stressing this holiday season....

And remember "tis the season to be jolly"-- Try to relax a little more & enjoy it and don't get so "Christmas Crazy"

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun.
-Kelli-Sue

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