Greetings!
What words would you choose to describe past holiday seasons?
Joyful
Relaxing
Fun
Spiritual
Family Togetherness
Warm and Fuzzy
Beautiful
Exciting
Or...
Stressful
Busy
Expensive
Family tensions
Exhausting
Overwhelming
One big blur
Your holidays can be filled with more fun and less stress. Avoid these 3 Common Holiday Mistakes.
1. Doing too much
You can't do it all, really, I've tried.... Instead, determine what is important, then prioritize, and delegate.
The holiday season is only about 5 weeks long. What's important to you and your family? Do you have any special traditions? How about choosing an activity to do as a family? Attend a holiday play, concert or church event, sled or ice skate, or bake.
After determining what's important, prioritize. You may not be able to accomplish everything on the list so it's good to prioritize and find out the absolute must-do's.
Several years ago, I decided sending Christmas cards were not a high priority item for me. I send them every other year or when I want to instead of feeling guilty and stressed if I don't send cards.
Delegate. My husband is a gifted writer. He writes the Christmas letter when we send one. And my daughter enjoys baking more than I do.
In the next few days, ask your family what they love about the holidays. Maybe it isn't baking and frosting 20 dozen cookies for a cookie exchange you've been participating in.
2. Spending Too much
Do your remember bank Christmas Clubs? My mom put a few dollars aside, out of her paycheck, each month in order to save for Christmas presents instead of ending up in debt after Christmas. I hear Christmas Clubs are returning!
Set a budget for the holidays. You don't want to start the year 2011 with more debt.
Once you set a budget, make a gift list before you set foot in a store. You will overspend when shopping without a plan or list.
Maybe you need to make drastic cuts to your budget or just dislike shopping. Contact those you regularly exchange gifts with and suggest a gift giving truce. Do this as early in the season to avoid any holiday drama. I did this many years ago and it is very freeing! Your family may feel relieved by your suggestion.
How much do you want to spend on gifts, cards, entertaining? Make out a budget this week.
3. Procrastinating too much
Procrastination adds stress to your holiday season. When you wait until the l ast minute to shop, mail gifts and cards, and plan family get-togethers you will end up waiting in long checkout lines, discover stores are out of the items you need and encounter lots of traffic. Just typing that last sentence made me start to sweat! Don't wait until 3:00 on December 24th; plan ahead.
Sit down with your calendar and your family this week and set dates for the things that need to be done and activities you want to enjoy together.
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Get organized and slow down. You will find yourself enjoying this magical season even more.
Simply,
Jill
Jill helps busy people who are overwhelmed by the 'stuff' in their lives and want to find things easily and get more done.
WANT TO REPRINT THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG OR WEBSITE? You are welcome to as long as you include the following: Jill Annis, owner of Simply Organized, LLC, helps busy people who are overwhelmed by the 'stuff' in their lives and want to find things easily and get more done. Visit Jill's website at www.SimplyOrganizedWithJill.com. |
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Too much stuff? Feeling overwhelmed?
Call Jill
608-575-7467
Start feeling better today! |
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