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10 Steps To A Trouble Free Christmas
Never Underestimate the Importance of Lists Santa makes a list and he checks it twice, so why shouldn’t you do the same? Well before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season starts it is worthwhile to begin by making a series of lists. Some of the lists you need include Christmas card lists, Christmas gift lists, grocery lists and lists of miscellaneous errands. These lists will put you on the path to a trouble free Christmas by keeping you organized. Keep Your Lists to a Minimum It is very important to stay organized and keep lists of all of your gift and card giving obligations but it is equally important to keep these lists to a minimum. You may want to purchase gifts for all of your co-workers and send cards to all of your acquaintances but this isn’t practical. It will be a financial burden as well as a burden on your free time and energy. Keep your gift and card lists limited to your closest friends and relatives to simplify the amount of shopping you have to do during the Christmas season. Learn to Say No Christmas is about the spirit of giving but sometimes it is important to say no around the holidays. You may want to bake cookies for a number of different bake sales and volunteer for a few different groups helping underprivileged children but all of these obligations detract from the amount of quality time you can spend with your own family. Instead limit yourself to 2-3 charitable causes during Christmas to prevent yourself from being exhausted from all of these obligations. Shop during Off Peak Hours Sometimes last minute shopping is inevitable. You may always find yourself in a position where you have to run out to get one or two more items at the last minute. However, when this happens you can minimize the stress factor by shopping during off peak hours. Instead of running to the mall during your lunch break or after work consider going into work a little late so you can complete your shopping when the malls are the least crowded in the early morning. Hit the Gym Regularly Finding time to workout during the holiday season can be difficult with all of your other obligations but taking the time to workout can really contribute to a trouble free Christmas. Working out will help to reduce stress and will also contribute to the ability to think more clearly and accomplish tasks more efficiently. If you already workout regularly, do not skip workouts during the Christmas season and if you don’t workout regularly it is a great time to start. Limit the Number of Parties You Attend The parties during Christmas are a lot of fun but they can also contribute a great deal of stress. Plan on only attending a few parties each Christmas season instead of attending every single party you are invited to during the season. This is helpful because although parties are a lot of fun, preparing for them can be time consuming and can create a great deal of stress. Shopping for party attire, hiring a babysitter, if necessary, and making arrangements to get to the party can all be time consuming and stressful. Organize a Cookie Exchange If you normally bake dozens of several different types of cookies at Christmas time consider organizing a cookie exchange instead this year. Making ten dozen of five different types of cookies can be very time consuming because you have to make five different types of dough. However, making ten dozen of one type of cookie can be accomplished much more quickly. Consider inviting nine friends to participate in a cookie exchange. You can each make ten dozen of one type of cookie and keep one dozen and exchange the remaining nine dozen with the other guests. You will all leave the exchange with ten different types of cookies to share with friends and family. Shop throughout the Year Nothing can be more stressful than doing the bulk of your Christmas shopping at the last minute. Stores are crowded at this time and the pressure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be overwhelming. All of this pressure can be avoided by shopping throughout the year for Christmas gifts for your friends and family members and trying to complete your shopping at least a month before Christmas. Get Plenty of Sleep Nothing creates more stress and problems around Christmastime than lack of sleep. Santa only comes when you are sleeping so try to get a full night of sleep each and every night. Also, try to go to bed at your regular time each night and wake up at your regular time as well. This will help to keep you from feeling exhausted and stressed out. It will also allow you to be more productive. Surround Yourself with Those You Love The most important step for keeping Christmas trouble free is to surround yourself with loved ones and simply enjoy their company. Try to avoid confrontations with those who cause stress in your life and do not feel obligated to attend parties or gatherings hosted or attended by those who you are sure will cause you to feel stress. Instead limit your social obligations to those you really want to attend. Written By Stephen Panos Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Stephen Panos is the author of 10 Steps to a Trouble Free Christmas and spends a great deal of his own full-time writing day creating short pieces for regular, high ticket rewards. Stephen Panos recommends panos1.searchhits.hop.clickbank.net "> The Complete Christmas Collection. and invites you to email him at cassarpublishing@yahoo.com for more information and a special report about making money from the public domain. |
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