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Managing Holiday Stress with Good Cheer

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Is this the song you find yourself singing as the holidays grow closer? Does "Bah, Humbug!" seem more natural than "Happy Holidays?" Have you ever stopped to notice how people who are models of organization and efficiency fall apart in December?
Everyone seeks to turn the fairy tale "Twas the Night Before Christmas" into reality. Unfortunately presents don't wrap themselves, turkeys don't spring from the oven fully baked, and children have traded visions of sugar plums for reams of compact disc players and $100 dolls. In the search for perfection - keep the following tips in mind:

• Develop your own traditions that avoid the stereotypes.
• Cut back on your expectations by giving up one tradition this year.
• Recall the holidays past and see what was really important.
• Realize that fact is rarely as perfect as fiction.

Each year families gather for the big day. Even at Christmas family relationships can be tough. Sometimes limited time with family can help. Another idea is to reschedule extended family gatherings to a less hectic time of the year. Other tips for handling family stressors include: Look at alternatives to dinner at grandma's - maybe dinner out with everyone going home afterward. Put in a short appearance and leave. Plan gatherings for earlier in the month and leave the holiday free.

Giving and sharing are also important aspects of the holiday season. Take heed, however; trying to give too much during the holidays can be a big mistake. Set a budget for your family and stick to it. Sharing the day with those you care about is also a gift we give each other and that often means more than the material presents given. Try the following hints this year to relieve "gift-giving" stress:

• When you find something that works buy it, don't look to see if you can do better.
• Decide to do one special gift a year and rotate whose year it is.
• Try drawing names in the family and setting dollar limits.
• When you hit your budget limit, stop shopping.
• Be creative - shop museums, craft shows, and book stores for the unusual.

The best prevention of holiday stress is to expect and accept it. Remember that every year you think you will never get ready and every year you find that the important things manage to get done, and those that don't usually aren't remembered by December 27.