I don't know about you, but I tend to start hyperventilating right around December 1 each year.
Everything is fine all the way through Thanksgiving but then BOOM! - suddenly you're faced with Christmas and all the "stuff" that goes along with it.
This especially applies to us women.
Yeah, it's unfair but the fact is, we are usually the ones who lead the charge when it comes to the holidays.
Baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing, decorating, cleaning, partying (plus finding the right outfit for said parties), etc.
etc.
Seems like a never-ending list.
Of course, all of this is on top of everything you normally have to do like work (especially those year-end major projects), keep the family fed, get everyone to various team sports, music lessons, doctor appointments and...
and...
and..
..
See, you're starting to hyperventilate, too, aren't you?! Well, I'd like to offer some suggestions to help us all get through the season with some semblance of peace and calm.
First, remember that we tend to get what we focus on.
Given this fact, why keep telling yourself, "There's no way I can do it all.
"? Of course you won't with that attitude! Instead, turn it around, take a deep breath (okay, several deep breaths), and say, "I have all the time, energy and resources I need to accomplish everything that really needs to get done.
" Say it again.
There, don't you feel better already? Try this for the whole month and see if things don't go much better than you expect.
Second, discuss with your family, significant other, friends, etc.
what's really important to them.
You could be surprised.
Maybe they really don't care about having every square inch of the house decorated.
Maybe you only need to make four different types of cookies instead of ten.
Maybe your friends would prefer a casual potluck where everyone could visit and be merry instead of a fancy, schmancy party that requires you to spend days cooking in preparation.
This is not the time to make decisions based on assumptions.
Ask! You could also remind everyone of the real reason for the season and ask that people lower their gift expectations.
Try to set a limit, even with the kids.
Maybe the adults don't want any more items to clutter their homes.
Think in terms of gifts that have lasting value - a letter of love and/or appreciation, a card telling them how they are special, coupons for help around the house, a personalized calendar or album with special photos - the possibilities are endless.
You could also explore volunteer opportunities.
Think about giving instead of getting.
Third, enlist help.
Don't try to do everything yourself.
Even in this economy, you can find inexpensive options.
Maybe you have someone in the family who would like to write the annual newsletter and/or address and stuff the envelopes.
If you have kids or grandkids old enough, let them do some of the decorating.
If not, think about neighborhood teenagers who might like to make some extra holiday cash.
They can help put up outside lights, clean up the yard, do your grocery shopping (my personal favorite task to "outsource"), run errands.
If you don't know of such a teen, ask around.
They're out there, I promise.
Last year, I paid someone who loves decorating $100 to fix up the inside of my house using my existing materials.
She had a ball and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! With a little forethought, planning and discussion - along with some positive mental focus - you can make this December different and a model for future years.