Be Realistic - A romanticized vision of the ´perfect´ holiday with your ´perfect´ family is sure to disappoint. Embrace the fact that stress and minor conflict go hand-in-hand with the joy and fun of the holiday season. Relax and accept the imperfections of yourself and your family.
Start Sooner Than Later - Set aside a little time every day to prepare for the holidays. Spacing out your errands will help ease the pressure and reduce the likelihood of last-minute panic situations.
Just Say "No" - During the holidays, work, personal and family obligations can wreak havoc on your daily routine, cut into your free time and leave you feeling overwhelmed. Be selective and say "yes" only to those invites you really want to attend. Send a card to those you decline and-if you´re concerned about offending the host-a small gift for guests to enjoy (flowers, wine, food etc.).
Ask and You Will Receive - Recruit the support of other family members. Just because they´re not volunteering, doesn´t mean they don´t want to help. Children especially enjoy being part of the action. Younger kids can make cards, decorate or tidy up while older children can help out with gift wrapping, food preparation and other errands.
Stick to Your Budget - It´s not hard get caught up in the flurry of holiday spending, but once the sparkle of the holidays is over, you could be left with a very stark, very real bill. Avoid starting the New Year in the red: draw up a realistic financial plan for the season and honour it.
Stay Healthy - Contrary to popular belief, that ´jolly old elf"-who lives on a diet of milk and cookies is not a role model for health and wellness. It´s easy to let healthy eating and exercise fall to the wayside during this indulgent time. Make an effort to get enough sleep, limit your consumption of alcohol and fatty foods and squeeze in physical activity whenever possible. Being well-rested and healthy will help you cope better with your stress.
Enjoy the Ride - Concentrating on ´the big day´ can take away from the fun of getting there. Take pleasure in the here and now of planning, preparation and time spent with family and friends reaching the final holiday destination.