Time to Plan for the Holidays!

The holidays are coming…

the GOOD, FUN and EXCITEMENT…

the RUSH, STRESS, and OVER-EATING!

How to get ready for the holidays?

I think the secret is in the Planning.

Think of what you want to have FUN with during the holidays.

Plan it.  Who can enjoy that with you? When would be the best time?  What would need to be done for you to be able to enjoy it peacefully, without rushing?

Think of something that would be EXCITING to do, that the family or friends could enjoy with you.  Who would be excited to join in?  What day of the week would be best? Which week would work best?  What time?

Be sure to put all the events you know of, in your calendar with reminders, so you won’t be surprised by them.

What about your sleep?  Put special emphasis on following a good “bedtime routine” and also special emphasis on going to bed at the same time, as much as possible.  It will absolutely help you get rest you need.

Now is also so important to keep up your exercise and walking.  It will absolutely help you get through the season with less stress and more energy.

Think of ways your family could pare down “the list” of people to buy gifts for.  Suggest it.  The rest of the family may be waiting for you.

Think of the gifts you need to buy, now, if you haven’t already.  This time spent now will save you stress later.  Watch yourself and don’t allow yourself to feel “false guilt” for not buying gifts for people that “you’d like to buy for if you had a lot more energy and money”.  We truly don’t have to out-give people.  Just don’t even think about going there.

Buy the gifts early.  Like, now.  Craft shows are good places for some unusual ideas. Or small shops of unusual things.  The gifts don’t have to be expensive.  Truly.  And if you get that done now, it won’t be a last-minute RUSH.  And gift bags and colored wrapping tissue are cheap at dollar stores.

If you are giving home-made goodies, prepare as much as you can, now.

Decide on your tentative menu if you are the host.  Decide now; get recipes together.  Buy any ingredients that are shelf-stable so that much will be done.  That will help with last minute expense, plus the last-minute effort.

If you ever consider hiring help with cleaning your home, etc., now may be the time that it would help you the most.

Food:  Think of the things you will be tempted to eat, if you don’t usually eat them.  Decide what those things are—or decide the TYPE of food that you know you will be around, and be tempted by.  Decide you will take that time, to fully enjoy the food (that is if medically, you can).  Decide not to feel guilty about it. Decide to savor every bite.  Now, you can’t do this a whole lot of times at once, but give yourself some grace to enjoy these wonderful, festive foods at these special times.  Then Relax about it.

My Holidays:

I went to two craft fairs over the past two weeks, and got lots of ideas, and a couple of items.  I’ve also bought a couple of other “dirty-Santa-type gifts” for a couple of groups I’m in.

Thanksgiving is semi-planned, and my grocery list is almost done.

House-cleaning day is planned.  Yard-cleaning day is planned.

For several years now, instead of each of us “buying for everyone”, we draw names.  I did not come up with this idea; my children did.  I WAS THE ONE WHO DID NOT WANT TO DO THIS.  I couldn’t bear the thought of buying for one child that I drew their name, and not buy for the others. 

But I’ve adjusted.  And it is absolutely the best holiday decision we ever made.  Financially, and time and worry-wise.  I do something for the family of each—something insignificant but something that will satisfy my thinking.  I think last year I got each of their families a nice domino set. 

Then we also have, for the larger family gathering, a game we call “Dirty Santa”, where each person brings a gift, and we number the people there; the first person opens a gift; the second person can “steal” their gift, or open a new one.  It’s lots of fun for everyone.  No other gifts are exchanged at this event.

Some good tips are to get as much rest as you can during this time, and eat the very best food you can.  Meal planning during this time, or cooking extra so you can have left-overs (I call that “pre-prepared food”) saves a lot of stress and energy.

If you’re local, contact me if you can come to my class Friday, “Why are we so Sick, and How can we Be Well” from 10 am to Noon.

If you’re not local, I am planning an on line 4-week class in January, which will cover these things, but in greater detail.

Thank you for reading…

To Your Holiday Planning!

Sharon