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Blog: Life Management
 LOOKING FOR A STRESS-FREE CHRISTMAS?
If you're thinking you can't possibly bake one more cookie, write one more Christmas letter, or buy one more gift, you are not alone! Years ago I saw an article by Mary Ann Littell, then director of Good Housekeeping's Infants and Children's Center, where she offered four rules to help women cope when feeling stressed during the Christmas rush. Some may be too late to use yet this year so make notes on next years calendar to avoid these pitfalls:
- Leave time for simple Christmas pleasures. Try to get away from the trappings of shopping, buying, and spending money. Participate more in religious activities, caroling, and informal coffee time with an old friend or group of friends. Write down special memories as they happen this Christmastime. Send a letter to someone from your past who made an impact on your life.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get things done. Being rushed is the biggest cause of stress. Start your holiday preparations early (this may have to apply to next year now!) It helps to have your cards or letters written right after Thanksgiving. Plan simple meals or cook ahead and have freezer meals ready to thaw and bake.
- Don't feel like a failure if you don't get everything done. Your children or grandchildren won't care if you make slice and bake cookies instead of making them from scratch. Plain packages are just as appreciated as masterpieces that take hours to wrap. Will anyone really miss that last box of decorations still in the attic?
- Enlist lots of help. You can't do it all yourself. Your family might even enjoy helping to decorate the cookies, writing out Christmas cards, and wrapping packages (not their own, of course). Assign one meal a week to the kids, and have fun with whatever they create. Make it a family tradition to all pitch in and clean the house before you start decorating for the holidays.
These are tried and true tips to help you have time to relax and enjoy the Christmas season along with your family!
posted on: 12/18/2007 12:00:00 PM by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side
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Life Management
by Judy Warmington
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About Judy:
Judy Warmington, Woman Time Management (owner) -- Busy wife, mother of three adult/married children, grandmother of 10 (5 boys and 5 girls!), former high school teacher (M.A. from W.M.U.), Speaker, Author, Radio Personality, and Trainer of Professional Organizers.
Judy's Website:
www.womantimemanagement.com
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