I am writing this guide because I know alot of you out there, including myself, stress out right before the holidays! The holidays are suppose to be fun, relaxing and spending quality time with your family, not having a nervous break-down because you can't find a Elmo TMX for you child! I have learned to calm down and want to share my tips for you so you can enjoy the holidays.
First, wirte a list of everyone you are buying for, how much you are willing to spend on each person and ideas about what you might want to get them. Stick to the list and keep it close to you when you are shopping. If you divert from the list you will begin to stress!
Next research your presents. Watch sales at department stores or on line and buy when there is a sale. If you are really want to be ahead of the game, start your shopping the day after Christmas, for next years Christmas! The deals are great and you can really save money.
Once you started shopping, cross off the things you bought on your list. Save your reciepts and write down the total you spent for each person next to their name. You should also wrap the presents early so you don't have a pile in the end.
After you are finished shopping and have all the presents wrapped, which should be well before the holidays so you are not standing in huge lines and fighting for items, you should focus on your home. I love to decorate and my husband thinks I am crazy because I start in the middle of November. Go through all your decorations and have the family help too. Put some Christmas music on, light some candles, and take it slow. Rome wasn't built in a day and your house should not be decorated in a day either! Pay attention to details. Do it right the first time so you won't have to set it up again the day before Christmas.
If you send holiday cards, make sure you take a night for yourself and write them out. Do this well in advance too, I usually send my cards out by the first of December. I love sending and receiveing Greetings cards and it is a nice tradition! Whenever a card comes I hang it over the doorways and by the time Christmas comes, it looks so pretty to see a your loved ones card displayed around the house.
Now that you did all your shopping, decorated your home, and wrote your holiday cards out, sit down and relax and enjoy your beautiful home with the bright lights and tree. Have your kids sit with you and talk about Christmas past and all the wonderful things of the season. Too many times we get caught up in the whole hustle and bustle of the season and we loose sight of the true meaning-
LOVE!
First, wirte a list of everyone you are buying for, how much you are willing to spend on each person and ideas about what you might want to get them. Stick to the list and keep it close to you when you are shopping. If you divert from the list you will begin to stress!
Next research your presents. Watch sales at department stores or on line and buy when there is a sale. If you are really want to be ahead of the game, start your shopping the day after Christmas, for next years Christmas! The deals are great and you can really save money.
Once you started shopping, cross off the things you bought on your list. Save your reciepts and write down the total you spent for each person next to their name. You should also wrap the presents early so you don't have a pile in the end.
After you are finished shopping and have all the presents wrapped, which should be well before the holidays so you are not standing in huge lines and fighting for items, you should focus on your home. I love to decorate and my husband thinks I am crazy because I start in the middle of November. Go through all your decorations and have the family help too. Put some Christmas music on, light some candles, and take it slow. Rome wasn't built in a day and your house should not be decorated in a day either! Pay attention to details. Do it right the first time so you won't have to set it up again the day before Christmas.
If you send holiday cards, make sure you take a night for yourself and write them out. Do this well in advance too, I usually send my cards out by the first of December. I love sending and receiveing Greetings cards and it is a nice tradition! Whenever a card comes I hang it over the doorways and by the time Christmas comes, it looks so pretty to see a your loved ones card displayed around the house.
Now that you did all your shopping, decorated your home, and wrote your holiday cards out, sit down and relax and enjoy your beautiful home with the bright lights and tree. Have your kids sit with you and talk about Christmas past and all the wonderful things of the season. Too many times we get caught up in the whole hustle and bustle of the season and we loose sight of the true meaning-
LOVE!
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