on Nov 29, 17

Stress-Free Holiday Season

Even though Christmas gives people a sense of warmth and nostalgia, sometimes parents are getting ready for a battle against stress. From the gifts to the party preparations, they are like soldiers going off to a festive war zone. But don’t worry because we have a few tips to help you have a stress-free Christmas.

Plan and Schedule Your Holiday Prep

For parents hosting a party on Christmas, it’s ideal to plan out your menu and schedule when you will buy the ingredients and cook the food. Keeping your menu and schedule at hand enables you to keep on top of things. Although it’s strongly encouraged to stick to your plan and schedule, don’t let them be the cause of your stress. If there are deviations from your carefully planned schedule, then let it be. Your schedule is a guide not a rule. Nevertheless, it’s also good to have a Plan B, C, and the rest of the alphabet.

Buy prepared foods, instead of cooking everything from scratch. You can always ask others to bring their favorite dishes. Cooking and freezing foods ahead of time might save you some time as well.

For parents travelling to attend parties with their kids, it’s best to plan what you need to pack, when to pack, and when to leave. When travelling on land, take into account bathroom breaks and the rush hour. When flying with your family, it’s a good idea to book flights way ahead of time because you may find incredibly cheap fares.

You can also make use of the plan-and-schedule strategy when buying the gifts. Ask people what they want and buy them way ahead of time. You can save a lot of money and save yourselves from the holiday season rush.

Ask for Help

Remember the holidays do not change the fact that you’re not superhuman; that’s why you should always ask for help when you need it.

For hosting parents, get your kids involved in the decorating and the cleaning. You can get the older kids supervise the younger ones, or check in from time to time. You can also make a game out of cleaning up. It can be fun and fast way to get all of the mess out of the way. As for the food, you may want to venture into the idea of having a potluck party. Family and friends can bring their specialty holiday dishes while you prepare your own. Doing this doesn’t only lessen your cooking and cleaning time, but it can also spark great conversations throughout the party.

For travelling parents, you can make a game out of packing. Give your kids a list and let them do a hunt and let them pack it in their respective suitcases. Now, you can just check after they’re done.

Christmas is supposed to be a fun time. Although planning ahead and asking for help can relieve you from the stress of the holiday season; always remember that you don’t have to strive for perfection. The holiday season is time for you to celebrate life, love, and happiness with those who have special places in your heart.

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