Halloween has come and gone and if you haven’t put up your Christmas tree yet, its almost that time too. I am a firm believer that Christmas decorations don’t go up before Thanksgiving, but this year I am ready to get into the holiday spirit and if we end up having a warmer day before Thanksgiving, the outside decorations might be up soon.
How about you? Are you waiting for Thanksgiving or is your house full-on winter wonderland?

With the holiday season gearing up there is so much to do, parties to attend, dinners with friends and family black Friday (do people still do that?), decorating, family photos, baking…the list can go on and on. 

Whew, I was exhausted just typing that. Because guess what, all this is in conjunction with our normal day to day activities of getting kids ready and to school, maintaining the home, cooking oh and taking care of ourselves. No wonder the holidays are so stressful! 

I have a few tips that will help you reduce holiday stress this season and help you to enjoy the ones you love. Download my Free Christmas Planner today and take back your times during the holidays. 

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9 Ways To Reduce Holiday Stress

Use A Planner Or Planning Tool

If you have been following me I am obsessed with planners. Without one, I would be all over the place. A planner helps me schedule out what I am doing for the week and holds me accountable. During the holidays I like to print out a separate monthly calendar to track all our holiday events and activities.

Make A List

Making a list, checking it twice…I am a total list person. In fact, I have the day designer planner because it has a section for a To-Do List. If you are making a to-do list for the rest of your daily activities, why not create a holiday to-do list. 

What events do you have coming up that you need to plan for. Set aside time throughout your day to work on your holiday activities and slowly chip away at the 

Get Santa Pictures Early

If you have young kids and you take them to see Santa, save your sanity, and get it done early, you’ll thank me later! #yourewelcome

I took my kids to see Santa last week and we were literally the third family in line. No waiting in long lines and no fussy kid. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. 

Shop Early

I remember as a kid getting up in the early hours for black Friday. In fact, I remember when people camped outside stores like Best Buy, Walmart and Target just to get in when the doors opened the day after Thanksgiving. The last time I ventured out on a black Friday, I almost got hit by a car while walking in the parking lot and the woman proceeded to scream at me. 

I decided there that I didn’t need that stress in my life, I start my shopping earlier. Again, some of that can be so stressful, why

Declutter Early

If your family is anything like mine, they love to spoil my kids with a ton of gifts every Christmas. Starting late-October to mid-November, I go through the kids’ toys and get rid of anything I haven’t seen them play with or is broken.  I also take time to go through their books to get rid of any they have outgrown. Toys in working condition and books get donated, the rest go straight to the trash. 

Limit What’s On Your Calendar

Living so close to NYC, I could probably fill every day in December leading up to Christmas with a fun-filled day. Because of this, I have to pick and choose what events we are going to do ahead of time. This year we are opting out of breakfast with Santa. Remember, we already took pictures with him and instead I will use that time to fill with other activities we have not in the past. Filling up your schedule will not only be stressful for you but overwhelming for your kids. And we all know overwhelmed kids are fussy kids. No one wants that during this time of the year.

Make Travel Plans Ahead Of Time

We typically do not travel around the holidays. No one has time for that stress. This year we decided to visit family. And while we will be driving, I plan out our route and stops ahead of time. 

If you are planning to fly, make sure your dates are correct for the flights and hotels. That will be one expensive mistake. And to avoid bag issues or delays pack light and take a carry-on. My experience with lost and delayed bags is extensive, especially around the holidays. So if I can, I pack light. 

Create Gift Wish Lists Early

I can’t tell you how many times I bought my mother something that she hated. Better yet, I can’t begin to tell you how many gifts my husband has given me that I am confident he purchased for himself. 

In the past few years, I have made a wish list for myself, and each kid through Amazon and send out to family and friends. This has significantly cut down the number of gifts we get and insures we given gifts of interest. 

Last week while in Target, I had my kids show me what they wanted and I scanned them right into my Amazon app and sent off to grandparents. I know we will get more than what is on this list, but it doesn’t hurt to try right?

Take Time To Breathe

You can get so caught up in all the excitement of the season that you forget to take care of yourself. If you have to set aside time in your calendar, or an alarm on your phone to do something for just yourself. It can be as little as 10-15mins a day, and anything that fills your soul – reading a book, taking a soak in the tub, exercising, or just getting outside to breathe. Whatever, that time looks like for you, plan it into your day and actually do it. You’ll thank me later!

With this busy season fast approaching, these tips will help decrease some of the stress and help you make it through the holidays. 

What are some tips you have for decreasing stress around the holidays?