Reduce Christmas Holiday Stress - 10 Steps to Success

If you are like 90% of the population, you feel the pinch of stress during the holidays. Let's face it we are under a certain amount of pressure (some of us more than others) to accomplish a substantial number of tasks before that 12-25 deadline. Having to make so many people happy is truly the biggest challenge many of us face each year. If this sounds familiar, then this site was designed and dedicated to help you face those challenges with less anxiety and a little more optimism. Hence, the information we provide here will hopefully result in a more positive, less drained energy for when that big day arrives.

You will be happy to know that there are at least 10 steps to success that you may follow in order to lower the "stress barometer". The holidays are exceptionally stressful. Making arrangements with family members, shopping for gifts, struggling through the crowds at local department stores, and planning meals are just a few of the situations that may result in stress. In this guide, you will provide you with 10 easy steps that can be followed that will assist in your overcoming stress that may be encountered this Christmas.

1. Shopping Stress - What do I Buy? One of the most stressful events when it comes to the Christmas holiday season is purchasing gifts for those that you know. Your gift giving list may include your relatives, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and many others. Pushing yourself to discover the "perfect" gift for each person on your list may prove to be exceptionally challenging. In order to take some of the heat off of buying gifts, elect to give gift cards. Not only is this type of gift inexpensive and easy to pick out, it is typically highly appreciated by the person that receives it. However, if you are more inclined to find that unique, Christmas gift idea for that special person you may want to check out the most exciting new products and gifts on our list of Hottest Sellers of 2009.

And, if you are REALLY looking for the ultimate gift maybe that special person is s collector or a fan of vintage movie posters, sports memorabilia or historical figures and events a great site with such incredible treasures is Conway's Vintage Treasures (0r just Google it).

2. MORE Shopping Stress - Yikes the Malls are Pure Insanity! You know what I'm talking about. The traffic into the shopping malls, then no parking, then hostile crowds to deal with, then long lines and out of stock items I came to the mall for in the first place. It's shopping hell! The solution?, Shop Online. No traffic, no parking lot aggression, no hostile Stressed-Out crowds to deal with and NO Out-of-Stock surprises. In the comfort of your own home, in your pajamas, find exactly what you are looking for and have it delivered to your doorstep. And, we have gone a step further to make your online shopping even LESS stressful. We have put together a list of the Hottest Selling Products in a number of categories. These gifts were determined to be the Most Popular products according to Amazon, with the Best Buyer Reviews and Ratings and most have FREE shipping. We've done all the work for you, so you don't have to. AND, the best part is these are not just gift buying ideas for Christmas but ANY holiday or special occasion.

Steps 1 and 2 are some ideas to combat what is probably the pinnacle of the holiday anxiety and stress factor, Shopping. Hopefully, some of these suggestions will, in the least, guide you into a stress-reduction direction

3. Letting go of tradition. Believe it or not, tradition may result in high levels of stress during the Christmas holidays. Many individuals make every attempt to stick to the traditions that they have always known, or traditions that are important to their loved ones. Examples of tradition includes visiting neighborhoods to observe Christmas decorations, ensuring that you visit all of your close loved ones on Christmas, and even hosting a Christmas party. If you find that the traditions that you attempt to uphold are resulting in high levels of anxiety, avoid them and make the holidays simple.

4. Money Worries. A close cousin of "shopping worries" money problems cause varying degrees of anxiety during the Christmas holidays. This can easily be avoided by creating a budget specifically designed to address the expenses associated with the holiday. Go through your basic day to day budget and evaluate your savings. Then, determine an amount of money that can be dedicated to gift buying. Once you have a budget allotted for your Christmas spending, it is important to make a list of the individuals that you elect to purchase gifts for. You should then designate an amount of money for each person on that list. Many who are experiencing financial challenges discover that they can easily allow themselves to spend anywhere from $10.00 to $25.00 per person on their Christmas list. By doing this, you will discover that shopping becomes a bit more enjoyable and a whole lot less stressful!

5. What to do with the Children? If you are planning for Christmas and have children, you may find that succeeding in your preparations is challenging. You should do one of two things. The first thing that you may do to keep children occupied while you prepare for the holidays is to give them their own "jobs" to do to help you. This may include creating homemade ornaments for the Christmas tree, allowing them to create homemade cards and/or gifts, and other activities. If this is not successful, the second option is seeking out a babysitter.

6. Be ready for a large group. If you are planning to have a social gathering or a party for the holidays, it is important to ensure that you do as much as you possibly can in the area of preparation ahead of time. You may choose to cook and bake ahead of time, set up the tables early, and organize the events of the night ahead of time. If you are having a large group maybe a good idea to ask guests to confirm on the morning if they are attending Christmas celebration. Also, make additional creative plans to keep children entertained. By doing this, you are reducing the amount of Christmas stress that you experience.

7. What do I cook worries. If you are planning a Christmas dinner, you will find that it is often difficult and stressful to ensure that you prepare enough food for everyone. In order to reduce your stress, request that everyone that will be attending the event bring a covered dish and other items that may assist in providing enough for everyone that attends. That will also help resolve the worries of "what if they don't like what I cook".

8. Gift wrapping woes. Gift wrapping is a tedious task that takes up a lot of time. The holidays are exceptionally busy and you will need as much of your time free as possible. It is not considered appropriate to just hand over a gift that is not presented in some type of wrapping, though. What do you do then? Instead of wrapping each gift that you give, purchase or make your own gift bags. This makes the gift just as appealing, and in less time!

9. Relax.. When the holidays roll around, it can be challenging to rest appropriately. However, your body needs to be well rested so that you have the energy required to fulfill the obligations that you have around Christmas. Be certain that you get at least eight to ten hours of sound sleep daily. By doing so, your body will not be inclined to succumb to stress. Also, think about the benefits of meditation.

10. Stay Healthy. Lastly, if you want to experience a stress free Christmas, be certain to take care of yourself. Be certain that your diet consists of healthy foods, lots of fluids, and that you exercise on a regular basis. You should also ensure that you avoid items that may be considered unhealthy such as alcohol. Also, I find meditation can have a dramatic positive impact on my daily energy. There are several books and free online resources for successful meditation. You may also be amazed at how this advice can lead to a stronger immune system against illness many experience after the holidays as a result of all the stress.

There are many different ways to reduce Christmas stress. Here, you have been introduced to 10 steps that will assist in your overall success. By following these steps you will experience less stress, free up a large amount of your time, and will be able to allow yourself to enjoy the excitement associated with the Christmas Season.

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