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Every year we look forward to the warmth and excitement of the holiday season, yet as it approaches, we begin to feel pressured and overwhelmed with all there is to do in such a short about of time. Here are some of my favorite shortcuts to make your holidays not only more manageable, but more fulfilling.

Make it a team effort.

Don't feel like you have to do it all and do it perfectly. Get the whole family involved and do only the things that really matter. Make a master list of everything that needs to be done and let family members choose the jobs they enjoy and have a talent for. Some people are great at wrapping gifts while others would prefer to decorate cookies.

Clear away the 'every day' to decorate for the holidays.

For more impact and less clutter, remove your every day decorative items from tabletops and mantels before you display your holiday decorations. You can store them temporarily in the boxes and bins that your decorations were kept in.

Let go of the excess.

When you are unpacking your holiday decorations, consider letting go of the items you no longer enjoy looking at. Our tastes change and styles come and go. There's no rule that says you have to keep every decoration forever, especially that tacky plastic flower arrangement you ex-mother in-law gave you 20 years ago! Give some away to charity, or if you have family or friends who have recently moved into their own place, ask if they'd like to have them until they accumulate their own collection.

Make wrapping easy and fun.

Save time and make wrapping holiday gifts an enjoyable experience by transforming a spare room (or part of a room) into a gift-wrapping centre for the holidays. Set up a table or use a rolling cart to put out your supplies (gift wrap, scissors, tape, pen, cards, bows, etc.) and keep everything you need in one place. Create the right atmosphere by adding some Christmas music, a scented candle and a cup of hot chocolate to get you in a festive mood.

Thoughtful gift ideas:

Stop cluttering people's lives. Streamline your gift list - most people already have too much. Ask for wish lists. Give gifts that don't have to be displayed or take up valuable storage space. Here are some suggestions: movie passes, spa or salon gift certificates, massages, restaurant gift certificates, gift certificates for services that simplify and improve life, i.e. maid, personal shopper, professional organizer, personal trainer, life coach, etc.

Our time is the most precious gift we could give. Is there anyone on your list that you could offer your time to instead of a gift? You could cook dinner for a friend, run errands for a senior, or baby-sit for a busy mom.

My holiday wish for you is that you will give yourself permission to make yourself your number one priority over the holidays and throughout the year. When your self-care is at the top of the list, the benefits filter down to your family, your friends and your co-workers. How many ways can you think of to make your self-care a priority this holiday season? It's okay to pass on attending some holiday events if you feel drained. It's okay to let go of traditions that no longer serve you. It's okay to take short cuts and ask for help, even if your family never did it that way before. When we stand up for our life, we give permission to others to do the same - what better gift could we give? Here's wishing you and yours a safe, happy holiday season.