Thirteen Tips on How to Have a Merry Christmas in these Trying Times

Tis the season to be jolly…

If it’s not, you’re doing it wrong.

1- Keep It Simple & Know Your Limitations

Name 3-5 Top priorities and make sure you are one of the top two. Ie If you’re not Betty Crocker, don’t offer to bake dozens of cookies for the school holiday fair. Cosco makes some pretty good cookies *wink

2- Don’t go List-Crazy

You have the menu list; the grocery list; the gift list; the list of lists—no wonder your puling your hair out.

Do yourself a favour and buy a holiday planner. Use the same one every year. Add fav pics, funny story about Uncle Jimmy—turn it into a memory book and a way to organize your thoughts.

3- Go Mobile

Gone are the days of wandering around the grocery store aimlessly. Shopping has never been easier. Check out Grocery IQ for only 99 cents.

4- Don’t forget the kids!

“The best holiday you can give them is one in which you are present,” says Watson(author of Be Merry, Not Harried, “and I don’t just mean home from work.”

The kids want presents for their teachers and classmates. Why not set an evening aside to bake cookies with them. When you’re done they can be packaged up anyway you like and the kids feel proud of their accomplishments.

5- Set Deadlines

We tend to obsess over things and that’s what leads to that overwhelmed feeling, Break your goals into mini tasks; then take on a little each day. If the deadline passes, let it go—for real.

6- Budget

It’s no secret, times are hard. Tally the costs of what you should spend—not what you’d like to spend. You don’t have to go further into debt to keep up with what you’ve done in previous years. Trust me; you’re not the only one feeling the pinch this year.

7- Be Creative

Guess what? Grandpa already has enough ties. Why not have your kids paint a picture and frame it?

Or, write a poem and do the same. You can never go wrong with gifts from the heart.

8- Shop Smart

It’s a proven fact, online shopping is the most efficient way to shop, But, if you do have to go to an actual store, you can always do your homework before you leave the house and find the best deals in your area. Some places even let you order over the phone so you can pick up when you have the time.

9- Shop Early

Don’t wait for the frenzy of last minute shopping. In this economy, retailers have slashed their prices, long before the big day. For the first time ever, I started in September, shopping online as I could afford to buy a gift or two. Come December 1st all I have left to do is buy stocking stuffers. Gotta love that!

10- De-Clutter

“The more mess, the more stress.”

Take about 30 minutes a night to clear out something—the junk drawer; the kids’ toy chest; the pantry; doesn’t matter what you do, just do it. Don’t get caught doing the mad dash when your long lost Aunty pays you a ‘surprise’ visit.

11- Surprise!

So Aunty does drop by unexpected and your house isn’t as tidy as you might like. Dim the lights, break out the candles and play some Christmas Music. There really is no sense in stressing about it. If you can afford it, have a few small gifts set aside for unexpected visitors bearing gifts, or do like I do and make up half a dozen extra cookie tins and keep them in the freezer (Small festive tin = $1 at the dollar store)

12- Is it time to talk Santa?

Are you worried those little ones expect the same Christmas as last year from ‘Santa’? Start dropping hints to the kiddies like, “Santa does his best, honey.” Whether times are fat or lean at your house, it will keep their expectations in check.

13- Eat, Drink and be Merry

Whether you’re eating chestnut stuffing and turkey or splurged on a nice ham… or if you’re drinking a fine merlot, or steaming mugs of hot cocoa, try to remember what’s important. Make this a Christmas to remember—a Christmas where love fills your homes and hearts. That’s what special memories are made of.

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