HOME & GARDEN CONSUMER GUIDE

Baker's Dozen: Tips for the Holidays

With Thanksgiving behind us, all of our attention turns towards the end of December. Christmas and Chanukah are zooming towards us at the speed of light. It is arguably the busiest time of the year for many people. On top of our normal obligations and responsibilities, there is so much to be done to prepare for the holidays. Here are some thoughts on helping you keep December a stress-free and joyful month, all 31 days of it!

1.  Remember the religious significance.
Reminding yourself about the true significance of the holiday helps put everything into perspective. It also allows you to take a deep breath. You'll find you return to whatever you're doing with renewed energy and joy.

2.  Make your list early.
Even if you don't like shopping until the last minute, find time early in the month to write out the names of everyone you plan to give a present. This helps put them in your mind and avoids last minute embarrassments (so does buying a few extra 'general' gifts). Writing the names down starts the brain cells working. By the time you get around to shopping, you'll have a pretty good idea of what you'd like to give that person. In addition, when you're shopping, you'll find the 'perfect' gift jump out and catch your eye.

3.  Don't Forget the Stocking Stuffers
Very often, it's the small gifts that make the most impact: favorite toiletries, socks, that stuffed animal that looks like your loved one's favorite cartoon character, batteries, all those little everyday items. These small items let people know how well you really know them and bring some pretty big smiles!

4.  Shop Online
Do it early to make sure packages get there in time. If being in a crowded mall helps get you in the spirit of the season, you can still go to the stores. But you get to walk around and really soak in the festive spirit. No stress, no panic.

5.  Give of Yourself
Give someone a gift of you: your time, your attention, your love. A great way to do this is to give "Personal Certificates". You can get really creative with these: One Week of No Decisions; One Month of You Doing Their Least-Favorite Chore, A Promise to Watch 5 Movies of Their Choosing With Them (This is a favorite in our house!). These make perfect stocking stuffers.

6.  Store Gift Cards Make Awesome Presents
First, they're easy on you. Second, the receiver gets to buy something they really like at one of their favorite stores. We did this last year in my husband's family. We each made a list of five favorite stores (this kept the element of surprise). It was a wonderful experience as we shopped at those stores later. I think many of us bought things we might not have and got to experience the holiday feeling all over again.

7.  Determine Your Budget
Figure out how much money you can afford to spend on gifts, and then stick to it. The holidays are not enjoyable when you pay for them all year long. Pay by cash or debit card whenever possible so that when the holiday is over, it's over.

8.  Use Bags Instead of Wrapping Paper
Unless you're done shopping in October (and I know you're out there!), the wrapping of all those presents can create stress. If you're pressed for time, use those great gift bags. Add some tissue and a pretty bow and you're all set. You can buy plain bags fairly inexpensively and decorate them yourself (Holiday cards you got last year are perfect for this).

9.  Send Holiday Emails Instead of Cards
Know your audience for this one! Many people will appreciate a quick email and others will be offended. It will depend on your relationship. However, if the choice is between not sending anything and an email, I vote for the email.

10.  Share Your Family's News
I've always enjoyed the newsletter-type inserts that some people put in their holiday cards. This is especially true for individuals I don't get to see on a regular basis. It keeps me up to date on what's going on with their family. What's been happening with your family?

11.  Include Non-Family Members
Who do you know that is alone this holiday season? Don't forget couples without families in the area. One or two more at the holiday table creates a bonus for everyone involved.

12.  Don't Do It Alone
Include everyone in the household regardless of the project. Remember, the holidays are about sharing time with friends and family. If you think about your memories of the holidays, I suspect it's not the gifts you received over the years, but things like decorating the tree together, wrapping the presents together, etc.

13.  What if You're Alone?
If you're alone, I have several recommendations. One is to focus on giving. How can you spend the day (or days) doing something that will make you feel good? Volunteering at different organizations is an excellent way to spend the holiday. The second suggestion is to visualize what you'd like the holiday to be. Get a very clear picture of you enjoying the day with caring friends. Then put it out to the Universe. If you are very clear about not spending the holiday alone, you will start to run into people who want to share their holiday with you!