Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Ways to Make Christmas Less Stressful


The Christmas season is supposed to be a time of great joy. Unfortunately for many of us, it is also a time of great stress. To help reduce the stress during the Christmas season, here are some ideas:

*First and foremost, I think with all of the commercial aspects of Christmas, it’s easy to forget the reason for the season. Having a quiet time with Him first thing every day will certainly help. Doing devotions as a family certainly will keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Some families read special books like Jotham's Journey or use an Advent wreath each week to keep the focus on Him.

*Make a list and a budget. Being organized, will make your holiday season easier. Make a list of everyone you need to buy for and include the maximum dollar amount you can afford to spend per person.

*Learn to delegate. You can't do everything yourself.

*Pay cash for your purchases. You'll give yourself the best present after all the holiday excitement has died down and you don't have to pay a credit card off for your Christmas purchases.

*Learn to say no. You can't do everything everybody wants you to do. You can really wear yourself down if you try to do it all. It's okay to decline an event or a opportunity to volunteer your time.

*Don’t let the mound of gifts pile up. Wrap as you go or consider shopping at stores that offer free gift wrapping. Also, remember to get free boxes when you purchase items in a department store.

I'll try to post some more ideas another day this week.

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