Getting my mind into perspective for Christmas is a task in itself. As per usual the year as flown by and the holiday season is upon us. To be frank the holidays can be very stressful however, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to minimize your holiday stress. Finding gifts for your loved ones is quite the task, much less decorating and preparing holiday dishes. Though it feels fall-ish here, I know that it’s time to get things to get for Christmas. So here are 5 tips to getting ready for the holidays without stressing out.

Decorating for the Holidays
Decorating for the holidays can be fun, but can quickly turn into a stressful mess. I change up tree decorations almost every year, which can put you in a tailspin if you don’t have a plan. I love all things farmhouse this year, so in November I start planning the design of the tree and look online at Pinterest for ideas. Pinterest is a great platform to find décor ideas for any theme. Once you have your design concept, make a list of what you need and find it. I find a lot of bloggers tag items they use for décor, so this becomes super easy to find décor items. I often search many pins on Pinterest to find different blog posts to create own perfect style. I recommend ordering items for shipping ahead of time, because you want all the items ready for decorating for the very moment you can start decorating.

Making a list and checking it Twice
Yes, just like Santa you want to make a list for all things holiday and check it off. From recipe ingredients and gifts to mailing Christmas cards. Making a list creates better organization. Better organization reduces the level of stress you will face from being disorganized. I admit I am a list maker by nature, but time and time again it’s proven to be a safe measure to take during the holidays. I make a list of people I am buying Christmas gifts for along with a few suggestions. Normally, I have my recipe list that includes where I am taking it, along with ingredients and direction for making it. I always try out recipes on a test run before serving them to guests. I try to get all lists complete a week before my deadline. I don’t like running around a few days before Christmas, so checking off the lists the week before greatly reduces stress.

Being Prepared for Holiday Parties
Holiday parties are meant to be relaxing and exciting, but sometimes turn towards being more stressful. Both hosting your own party and attending someone else’s come with stressful decisions. Preparations for hosting your own holiday party can be quiet daunting. I recommend being prepared by incorporating lists, doing all the planning ahead of time, and making sure you do everything you can by the day before the party. Plan well down to what you are going to wear. Planning is key in holiday parties. I recommend doing everything you can ahead of time, because you will need the day of the handle any issues that come up, getting ready for the party, and actually enjoying your own party. Hosting your own party is suppose to be fun so if decorating the night before, and having a bunch of party foods prepped and ready to serve helps you do so then do it! When it comes to attending holiday parties, make sure you plan the outfit for each occasion and know your hostess so that you can find the perfect hostess gift. Basically regardless of what side of the Holiday party you are on planning can drastically reduce stress and enable you to really cherish the holiday season.

Wrapping Gifts Ahead of Time
Wrapping gifts can be quiet the task with a multitude of potential problems that generate stress. Have you ever come up a few inches shy of what you need while wrapping a gift? Yes, me too which is why before you wrap you need to take inventory. You need to assess what you have to wrap, especially for larger gifts. Make a list of supplies you need any them. I typically buy supplies that I need for wrapping such a: wrapping paper, gift tags, tape, boxes, gift bags, tissue paper, ribbon, bows, etc. If you have oddly shaped items to wrap really think about the best way to wrap them. You want wrapped gifts to look well thought out and to go right along with your holiday theme, as they will be under your Christmas tree to admire until they are removed for gifting. I also suggest setting aside time to wrap the gifts. A great idea for the holidays is to host a Wrapping party with your friends and/or family so that you can enjoy great food, company and conversation while wrapping. Regardless of how you do it I recommend being organized and wrapping gifts ahead of time. It’s not uncommon for me to have gifts under the tree by the first weekend of December. Just remember wrapping Christmas presents can be fun, so enjoy it!

Prepping for Christmas Morning
Christmas Morning comes way too quickly and you can land yourself in a stressful mess if you aren’t careful. We each have our own traditions for Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Regardless of when you open gifts there is a method to conquering the madness. I have an emergency kit that contains medical supplies for cuts that can come from mishaps that happen with enjoying new gifts or from opening gifts with sharp knives. I like to prepare for anything that can happen, so when it does happen you can bypass the panic stage. Also it’s important to have a quick and tasty breakfast planned for guests as the kids always wake up early and want to open presents super quick. I also recommend keeping all different batteries in the event a gift doesn’t come with batteries. This way you don’t have to worry about seeing a disappointed child on Christmas morning. I also recommend having a plan for trash and recycling so that once present opening is over, the room can be cleared so that everyone has the space to play with all of their new items. Prepping for Christmas morning allows you the opportunity to enjoy Christmas morning like everyone else. Just think smarter, not work harder and you will surely see a wonderful Christmas.

Hopefully these tips and tricks I have in my life will help you during the busy Christmas season. I see that the holidays can be very overwhelming and stressful. No plan is perfect, but these tips truly help me avert issues that arise. As I am always looking for more details so I would love for you to share your tips in the comments down below! Until next time, I’m making a list and checking it twice, getting through the holidays with my head held hight! Happy Holidays to you all!