How to Have a Stress-free Christmas

Stress-free Christmas. Almost sounds like an oxymoron. Well, here are some tips you can apply to help you with that...

by Sherrie Le Masurier*

Christmas comes but once a year, which can be a good thing if you are the one doing all the work. Despite demanding work schedules and economic pressures, many parents still feel the need to do it all.

Women in particular will run ourselves ragged creating the perfect Christmas. Unfortunately though, our good intentions often just add to our stress load.

So how can you avoid festive overload yet bring alive the best part of your holiday vision? First and foremost, you need to slow down. It is only when we step back and look at all we have added to our already full plates that we can really see the path of destruction we have created for ourselves.

Throw away your many to-do lists and focus on your family. Re-connect. Lead by example; show your family how to turn the volume down and the meaning up. Easier said than done, right?

In an effort to get off the treadmill myself and find a little peace amid the panic, I sought the advice of fellow mothers. As a result, I discovered they are many great ways to make the holidays not only more meaningful for children but also more manageable for parents.

The general consensus was watch out for the superficial and its power to draw your attention away from what�s really important. Also determine your most important goal for the season and never lose sight of it.

(having a stress-free Christmas means...)

Don't Try And Do It All Yourself
The more you throw yourself excessively into holiday preparations and don�t give up any of the responsibility, the more resentful and left out your family members will feel.

Let your spouse and kids choose which holiday task they'd like to take on. If your kids like decorating, they can string the garland and make painted snowflakes on the windows. Dad might want to be in charge of getting the tree and handling the exterior decorations.

Once you delegate, accept the results. Don't stress out if it isn't exactly the way you would have done it but instead put on smile and say "good job". Think of the bigger picture – everyone can now take pride in performing a holiday task and share in the festivities.

Read on for more tips on how to have a stress-free Christmas.

*Sherrie Le Masurier is a mother of two and co-owner of www.familysanitysavers.com and www.decorating-kids-rooms.net

Try some of these Christmas Delights for more "stress-free" holiday appetizers.

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