Jingle Bells...

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the way to … the mall, the box store, the grocery store, the tree lot, the bakery, the decoration store, school concerts, family events, work parties, kids parties, volunteer, the… oh, boy, Christmas is supposed to be fun isn’t it?

Christmas is our favorite time of year and our least favorite time! It comes with so much joy and so much stress! It is a time of year that tests our abilities to cope but we can do it. We can cope and have fun as well! See if some of the following suggestions will help remove some stress from your pre-Christmas events!

Pick a theme and stick to it – buy all your gifts, decorations, food, etc around this theme. It could be fun, keeping warm, sports, health, books, etc.

Buy the same gift for everyone – buy the latest Barbie for all the girls, buy the same book for all the women, buy the same tie (just kidding!) sports video for all the men!

Shop online - it is so easy! Especially if you have a theme and know what you want!

Give money rather than gifts – donate to children’s education funds, donate to college expenses, and give donations to peoples favorite charities in their names.

Treat friends to lunch rather than give gifts – this gives you a chance to get together which is what friendship is really about.

Attend events rather than host parties – instead of having a party at your house, arrange for everyone to meet to go skating or look at lights.

Only attend events that are important to you – you don’t have to attend everything. Only attend events that are very important to you or where you will see someone dear to you.

Participate in cookie exchanges – you can get lots of different baking and only make one thing.

Make everything potluck – yes, everyone loves to show off their favorite recipes.

Take some time for you – yes, you need to do this. Make sure to continue to take 15 minutes for coffee when out shopping, take the time to have a lunch with a friend, or go for a walk when you are most stressed out.

Finally, take care of yourself and those around you – Make the time to exercise, get enough sleep and fit in a few healthy meals to balance the rest out.

Remember Christmas is about family and priorities! Keep that in mind and you will be able to stay on top of the stress!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way… Oh, what fun it is… AND yes make sure it is FUN!

Tracy Lyn Moland is the author of Mom Management, Managing Mom Before Everybody Else. She is an expert at taking care of the ME in Mommeee but not a very good singer!!! Jingle Bells, Jingle…

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