Stress Busters for the Holidays

Stress is one of those things that seems to creep up on you during this time of the year.  Sometimes we see it head on and other times we won't see it until we are completely overwhelmed.  When it comes to myself, I tend not to notice things until I'm completely overwhelmed.  Having said that, I try to find ways where I can eliminate stress so I don't have a complete meltdown in the baking isle at the supermarket because I forgot to write down on my list whether I needed baking powder or baking soda. 

Here's my 4 top picks for the holidays:

1. Trim your time on the trimmings by making it a family affair.  I used to be the one decorating the house every year.  It wasn't because I was the only one who was in the spirit, it was just that I tended to do it late at night when the kids were in bed.  Taking out the storage boxes with no children around was easier, but it got frustrating when I'd have to play find the fuse at 3 am.  Now I enlist the help of my husband to help me put up the lights, and the kids help put on the ornaments.
2. Clean by rooms.  Maintaining a house with little ones, both furry and not, is hard enough without adding in the stress of having company.  I try and break up the load by cleaning one room a day and I delegate out what I can't get to. The kids' rooms are always part of the delegation.  I don't count on their rooms ever being perfect, but they do well and that's all that's needed.
3. Loving from the oven doesn't have to take all day (or month for that matter).  There are many prepared cookie doughs you can buy at your local markets for less than the price it would cost to make them from scratch.  They are still baked by you, but your kitchen time is cut in half.
4. Early birds catch less crowds.  It's true that the early bird catches the worm and when it comes to holiday shopping, an early bird can catch less crowds during the week. The best day of the week to do this is a Tuesday.  It's no secret to anyone that the busiest day for a retail store is a Saturday, but did you know that the slowest is a Tuesday?  Try shopping early on that day if you don't want to feel rushed or stressed.

Hope these tips help you to decompress for the holidays.

Stay fabulous!
Love and friendship,

Kimberley