10 Ways To Lower Your Holiday Season Stress

While Christmas time is a great time of year, it can bring out a lot of stress for many of us. There is so much to do and so little time to get it done! I definitely know that feeling! Between the gift buying and all the entertaining we do during the holiday season, I am always surprised that I come out alive and with my sanity still intact. I wanted to pass along a few suggestions so that you too can keep your sanity through the holiday season.

1. Start early.  Okay, so I know this tip doesn’t help you too much right now.  However, I shop year round.  I actually keep a moving box or two (or maybe even three) full of presents up in my attic that I collect throughout the school year.  Also, the closer it gets to Christmas, the nuttier the malls get.  I can’t stand a packed mall myself.
2. Make a list.  List out everybody you have to buy for.  Keep track of when you’ve boughten them something.  It’ll keep your spending down, because you won’t buy multiple gifts for the same person!  Plus, your list will help keep you from forgetting to buy something for somebody you should have.
3. Just say no to some invitations.  Sometimes you have to say no.  No, please don’t put me in another gift exchange.  No, I can’t attend 4 events on the same night.
4. Gift cards can be your friend.  Sometimes the best gift for the person who has everything is a gift card.  I personally love them.  I can get exactly what I want and not feel guilty.
5. Know your prices.  If you know what you want to get somebody, the Sunday ads can be your friend.  You can wait to see if your gift will go on sale, and you’ll know you got a good deal.  Last year, my mom and I saved over $1700 by shopping on Black Friday.  I knew what items we were getting the most bang for our buck.
6. Know your spending limits.  There is nothing worse than opening a credit card bill in January that you can’t afford.  For our brother/sister exchange at my in-laws, we set a limit of $25.  It makes it so everybody can afford to be in the exchange.  I also try to spend the same amount on my kids.  You can keep track of how much you spent on each person when you do tip #2.
7. Exercise.  Not only will it help you keep off the holiday pounds, it’ll help you clear your head.  You also won’t feel guilty for eating a piece of pie.
8. Stay on your routine.  If you go to bed at 10 pm, try to keep doing that throughout the holiday season.  If you keep changing your routine, it throws your whole body off, and you’ll feel off.
9. Ask for help.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, ask others in your life to give you a hand.  Most people are willing to step up and help out when needed.  Plus, talking out your feelings can help you feel better.
10. Save throughout the year.  On top of buying gifts throughout the whole year, you can also put away money.  Each month I put away a small amount of money into my savings (though some banks have Christmas Clubs you can do this with).  Come Christmastime now, I am able to pay for almost all our Christmas stuff with the money.  Since I put away money each month, I didn’t feel like I was even missing it.

How do you deal with holiday stress?