| 10 Tips for a More Meaningful and Less Stressful | | | | you would give everyone something from a nursery. If |
| HolidayDoes your Christmas spirit get lost in the frenzy | | | | the theme is books, you would buy all your gifts at a |
| this time of year? Is your household so hectic during | | | | book store. If you choose a theme of entertainment, |
| December that it could drive even Bob Cratchit to tear | | | | you would buy movie passes for everyone or concert |
| out his hair? Well, you might as well face the fact that | | | | tickets. If there are a lot of men on your gift list, a |
| not even the Grinch can stop Christmas from coming; | | | | hardware theme might be appropriate. If you're |
| so we must learn strategies for surviving the holidays | | | | forgetful like I am, buying everyone on your list the |
| with our sanity (and our hair) intact. It is possible to go | | | | same thing makes it easier to remember what you |
| from stressed to blessed. To tame your Grinch within | | | | gave whom in past years!7) CELEBRATE FAMILY |
| and create a simpler, more joyful Christmas this year, | | | | and COMMUNITY: Schedule time for fun and relaxing |
| follow these ten Grinch-busting tips and you'll slide from | | | | together. Put it on your calendar and make it top |
| overwhelmed to overjoyed faster than you can shout | | | | priority. Don't let anything get in your way. If you're too |
| "God bless us all, everyone!"1) LOWER | | | | busy to drive through the neighborhood with the kids |
| EXPECTATIONS: Don't fall for the hype and | | | | looking at the lights and listening to Christmas music, |
| myth-takes that can ruin your holiday. You'll make | | | | re-arrange your schedule. Spend an evening as a |
| yourself crazy comparing your home, your holiday, | | | | family reading Christmas stories or poems and writing |
| your family, with anyone or anything that makes you | | | | letters to Santa together, thanking him for last year's |
| feel less than perfect. Remember, YOU ARE NOT | | | | gifts.If you must shop or attend concerts or parties, |
| MARTHA STEWART! Stop trying to win the perfect | | | | don't go alone. Take the family along and include lonely |
| holiday award for the best cookies, the most elaborate | | | | neighbors or elderly friends too. This applies to cooking, |
| decorations, or the biggest gifts. Remember these four | | | | baking, and gift wrapping too.Invite someone to do it |
| important words throughout the holiday season: DO | | | | with you. It will make your tasks more fun and they'll |
| LESS, ENJOY MORE. Make every day of the season | | | | appreciate spending time with you. Whatever you're |
| a present to yourself.2) CHANGE ROUTINES: Why do | | | | planning to do, share it with someone and make it |
| we feel that we must continue forever to do things | | | | quality time.8) CREATE LASTING, LOVING |
| just as we've always done them? Don't be bound by | | | | MEMORIES: Be selective. Don't fill every moment of |
| past traditions. Think outside the box and consider new | | | | the season with frantic activity. Think quality, not |
| ways of doing things to make it easier on yourself.A) | | | | quantity. Your goal should be sharing happy times and |
| Instead of exchanging gifts with co-workers or | | | | being together. Reading stories together, a relaxed |
| extended family , how about choosing a charity to | | | | tree-trimming, singing carols, making snow angels, or |
| help? If each person gives just a couple of dollars, it | | | | just enjoying the evening stars and sharing a cup of |
| adds up and beats searching for the perfect gift for all | | | | hot cocoa can be more enjoyable than attending |
| those people.B) Who says you HAVE to cook a huge | | | | every play, concert, and party of the season. |
| meal for 30 people every year? Could you, maybe | | | | Volunteer as a family to sort food at a food bank, |
| just this once, have a simple gathering instead? Better | | | | organize a toy or coat drive, deliver meals on wheels, |
| yet, let Aunt Irma take a turn at hosting this year's | | | | or serve Christmas dinner at a shelter. These are |
| celebration. Have you considered suggesting that this | | | | memories you'll cherish forever.9) TAME THE |
| year the women cook and all other family members | | | | GREEDIES: Steer the family's focus toward the needs |
| do the clean up? Why should the men of the house | | | | of others and how your family can render service. |
| gorge themselves till they must unzip their pants and | | | | Help everyone to develop an attitude of gratitude |
| then collapse on the couch while the women who | | | | instead of always wanting something more. Talk about |
| cooked for weeks continue to slave away in the | | | | ways to share the season's joy with others. Instead of |
| kitchen tackling a mountain of dishes? Would it kill them | | | | wish lists, make a list of ways to practice generosity. |
| to help in the kitchen once a year as a special | | | | These might include helping someone with shoveling, |
| Christmas present to you?C) When did we decide we | | | | shopping, decorating, or baking. Or choose a volunteer |
| needed 37 different varieties of Christmas cookies | | | | project you can work on together as a family.Keep |
| each year? You know, all your family REALLY wants | | | | the TV turned off as much as possible to avoid |
| are chocolate chip cookies! Why do more than is | | | | commercials. They only give your kids ideas of more |
| necessary to keep them happy? If you MUST have a | | | | useless things they think they must have. If you want |
| variety of cookies, go to or host a cookie exchange | | | | to watch a Christmas show, rent the video or record |
| where everybody bakes one type but takes home | | | | programs and watch them later.10) CREATE FUN |
| several of all the other varieties. That makes NOT | | | | NEW TRADITIONS: Buy a new cookie cutter each |
| baking a jillion different types of cookies fun!3) DON'T | | | | year to add to a collection, or shop as a family to buy |
| DO IT ALL YOURSELF: Involve every member of the | | | | an early Christmas present for yourselves: a board |
| family right down to the toddlers. If you can't do it | | | | game you can play each evening in December. Share |
| together, then maybe it's not something you need to | | | | at the dinner table every night something you've each |
| do at all. Instead of buying gifts for children to give, | | | | read such as a Christmas story or poem, a riddle, or |
| engage the kids in the process. Turn decorating, | | | | holiday trivia.A friend began a tradition of having boiled |
| shopping, gift-wrapping, baking, and even house | | | | shrimp for Christmas dinner, along with garlic toast, |
| cleaning into family time activities4) PLAN AHEAD: | | | | salad, and Christmas eggs (boiled eggs dyed red and |
| Work smarter, not harder. Do as much as you can in | | | | green). Preparation for this meal takes almost no time |
| the months before Christmas to leave December | | | | at all, and the cleanup is equally easy. Everyone can |
| open for spontaneous joy. Get the car serviced in the | | | | enjoy the afternoon visiting, playing games, napping, etc. |
| Fall so it will be ready for holiday travel, bake and | | | | In the evening, they enjoy leftover shrimp fried in garlic |
| freeze cookies throughout November, start addressing | | | | butter with the traditional Christmas pies and |
| Christmas card envelopes during the summer while | | | | cookies.Here are a couple of traditions that can lighten |
| you're sitting in the sun sipping lemonade. If it's too late | | | | your work load: Instead of an elaborate holiday meal, |
| to plan ahead and you're already in the middle of mass | | | | how about having friends in for a potluck Christmas |
| chaos, don't panic. Memorize the Serenity Prayer and | | | | Eve supper where you provide only the dessert? |
| repeat it daily! (God grant me the serenity to accept | | | | Another tradition kids love is going out for pizza on |
| the things I cannot change, the courage to change the | | | | Christmas Eve.It's the little things that make life more |
| things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference!)5) | | | | meaningful. I like the idea of starting a Christmas |
| SPEND LESS MONEY: Nothing adds stress to the | | | | tradition of practicing not-so-random acts of kindness |
| season like worrying about how you'll pay the credit | | | | each holiday season and maybe even extending this |
| card bill come January. Remember that it's the thought | | | | "kindness throughout the year.ITEMS 7 THROUGH 10 |
| that counts. Think of creative gifts you can give that | | | | CAN ALL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH |
| cost less but express your love.A) Tell those on your | | | | VOLUNTEERING to focus on others and help |
| gift list that instead of presents this year, you'll be | | | | someone outside your family. Kids love to give and |
| providing warm clothing and food for a needy child or | | | | help. They just need encouragement, guidance, and |
| sending a donation to your favorite charity in their | | | | opportunities to reach out.Volunteering is a great way |
| honor. Chances are they really don't need anything | | | | to teach children compassion. It develops character, |
| anyway, and it will warm their hearts to know you're | | | | leadership, self esteem and a sense of community. |
| doing good in their name.B) Keep a journal of all your | | | | Volunteering also helps offset the materialism of our |
| expenditures. Know each day how much you've spent | | | | culture. The key is finding a cause the whole family |
| so far. You will probably be shocked to learn how fast | | | | can identify with.One creative idea is to set up a |
| it adds up and this knowlege may help you control | | | | gift-wrapping station in a mall to raise money for a |
| your spending.B) Stay out of stores as much as | | | | charity. A great way to volunteer that can involve kids |
| possible. Every time you step foot into a mall, you are | | | | of every age would be to visit nursing homes and |
| subjected to clever marketing tactics. Shop fast. The | | | | maybe even take holiday decorations that your family |
| more time you spend in the store, the more money it | | | | has made. Here's another suggestion: Find some |
| will cost you.C) Consider inexpensive but heartwarming | | | | children who need cheery mail and work as a family |
| gifts like handmade frames filled with favorite photos | | | | making cards for them. There are hundreds of such |
| or cassette tapes of your family reading books. Home | | | | children in need of smiles featured on the HUGS and |
| made breads, jams, or sauces make great gifts that | | | | HOPE Club's web site at Your family can also sponsor |
| everyone appreciates; and creating them provides | | | | a child for Christmas through the Hugs and Hope Elf |
| family time to boot.D) One year, my family had great | | | | Program. It's fun to shop for and wrap items from your |
| fun cutting evergreen boughs and making wreaths for | | | | sponsored child's wish list.Then . . . you can RELAX:To |
| everyone on our gift list. All we had to buy was wire | | | | enjoy this season, we must remember what is truly |
| and ribbon.E) How about giving a few of your own | | | | important. All ten of our suggestions involve |
| special treasures as gifts? Perhaps a book you love | | | | togetherness, sharing, helping, enjoying, savoring the |
| or a special knick knack or piece of jewelry someone | | | | moments. The events of 9-11 have taught us that our |
| has admired? A gift that's worth more than anything | | | | time and the people in our lives are precious. This |
| from a store is a handwritten letter telling someone | | | | Christmas will be a season filled with opportunities to |
| how much they mean to you.If you must shop, a list is | | | | reach out to and enjoy others. Don't miss them! |
| your best friend. To avoid impulse buying, buy only | | | | Commit to spending more "down time" with others just |
| what's on your list and pay only with cash. You'll think | | | | hanging out -- it's more important than you may think. |
| twice before purchasing an extravagant gift you really | | | | Experience really feeling the joy of the season. Make it |
| can't afford.6) SIMPLIFY GIFT SHOPPING:A) Plan | | | | a "feel good" holiday season rather than a "look good," |
| ahead, make a list, and stick to it. Shop throughout the | | | | one-day, picture-perfect event. Create a warmer, |
| year rather than doing it all at the last minute.B) Instead | | | | more loving celebration by focusing on sharing and just |
| of individual gifts, buy one item for an entire family such | | | | being.Now that you've learned how to tame your inner |
| as a board game, fast food coupons, gift certificates | | | | Grinch . . . take a deep breath, turn on the tree lights, |
| for restaurants or stores, phone cards, school supplies, | | | | gather your loved ones around you, relax in your |
| or food baskets. Or exchange names within your | | | | favorite chair, and watch angel Clarence earn his |
| family so everyone needs to buy only one gift, rather | | | | wings for the forty-third time. Only this year, you'll be |
| than many. I've heard of families who stipulated that it | | | | able to affirm with George Bailey that it really is "A |
| had to be a garage-sale or a thrift-store item under a | | | | Wonderful Life."Marsha Jordan is author of "Hugs, |
| certain price. That made it a lot of fun, as everyone | | | | Hope, and Peanut Butter" a compilation of inspirational |
| tried to find the best buy.C) Divide up the shopping. | | | | essays illustrated by critically ill children. Proceeds from |
| Maybe the wife could purchase all the gifts required | | | | book sales help sick kids. Jordan founded the HUGS |
| for women and the husband buy all the men's gifts. | | | | and HOPE Foundation, which provides smiles for |
| Teens can select gifts for kids their age too.D) | | | | hospitalized children. |
| Choose a gift theme each year. If the theme is plants, | | | | |