Let’s face it; the Holidays are a stressful time of year! Years ago, in my psychology classes, I learned that whether it is good stress or bad stress, it still takes a toll on our bodies. There are some steps I take to make sure it is the “good” stress that I’m suffering from (like too much chocolate and home baked goodies.)

I don’t have unlimited resources to do my shopping for the Holidays. In all honesty, even when I did make a very comfortable living, I still considered the following steps to be essential for preparing for the Holidays. I have always been one to find “the perfect gift” at a reasonable price and if there is the opportunity to save money by buying out-of-season or to save on shipping or to use a coupon,...,I’m all over it! LOL

Here are a few tips I found that have helped me:

1.) Make a list of all family members/friends you plan on purchasing or making a gift for this Holiday season. Give each individual recipient a separate line or “couples/family” gifts a single line. Include your charity gift-giving. (I usually buy anonymous gifts for “giving trees” or community families in need)

2.) Pencil in ideas for each recipient. If you know absolutely the item you want to find for a person, put it in ink, and add the maximum price you want to pay. A couple of notes:

a.) Gifts you will be making; create a list of supplies. I will do a separate post on creating your own gifts or gift baskets in a future post.

b.) For children – consider creative, yet educational gifts. Something that is designed to involve a fun interaction with yourself or others would be a gift of time and a memory created. This will be a future post as well, come back and check it out! ;-)

3.) When you find an item for an individual on your list (or couple/child) purchase it or create it, write it in ink on your list – you’re done shopping/creating, and check them off as done.
Note: Practice discipline. Don’t continue shopping for them. We often find the “perfect gift” then we find another “perfect gift” and at some point, we become overwhelmed because we’ve had a conversation where it is “obvious” that the “perfect gift” is something totally different than what we have bought or created. It’s ugly.

4.) Stagger gift buying/creating out over time. You don’t need the stress of finding items last minute, nor do you need the stress of trying to get gifts in the mail just under the deadline - wondering if they are going to get there. Auction sellers are great about sending items for you and some, like me, will happily gift wrap and send a personalized note.

5.) Set monetary limits. The giving of gifts does not feel good if we are going into debt buying things that people don’t really need or want. This sounds harsh, but the reality is, I know I don’t feel good about accepting gifts from people I know have experienced or are experiencing financial hardship.

6.) Consider the gift of service or a coupon towards something that the person/couple will value. Many years ago, I discovered that a gift of child care while parents had a night or weekend away was appreciated much more so than any material item I could have given. The great thing was, I borrowed the kids, acted like a kid and had a blast, then returned them to parents who were relaxed. (Btw, if any of my friends/family are reading this, I would love to have someone who would give me the gift of re-potting my plants – I have a love/hate relationship with them.) If someone has wanted a website, to find out their family genealogy, or to organize their home, provide or buy the service for them. (I do know awesome resources for some, TOASA members ;-)

7.) Make the packaging part of the gift. I have often given consumables of baked goodies, homemade liquors, or gift packs of goodies. In the wrapping of the gift, I always include an ornament. After the goodies are consumed, I like the idea that the recipient will have something to remember my gift by in years to come. It may seem silly, but every year when I put up my tree, I spend a day reminiscing about where and when I received each ornament.

There is much you can do now to alleviate the stress of the Holiday Season. It requires some preparation and organization. The ultimate goal is to enjoy the Holidays sans the stress, or at least to have to deal with the positive stress.

Let this Holiday Season be all about enjoying time with Family and Friends, as well as sharing the spirit of the season with those that have had a tough time this year.

Maureen M. Mishler
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M & D Creative Concepts
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