No Stress Holidays
The holidays are coming soon. Get organized now, and you'll
have plenty of time to spend with your family. With everything
that needs to be done throughout the holiday season, it is very
easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Wouldn't it be wonderful
to have a simple system that would help you get your holiday
season organized? Start with a family meeting. Family meetings
are perfect for organizing things from chore schedules to
parties. It's also the perfect time for everyone to keep in
touch with each other. Schedule one or two per holiday season.
Start now for Thanksgiving and schedule another one for
Christmas before the end of November. Schedule a call-free hour
for each planning session and let the answering machine field
calls. Planning early will give everyone something fun to look
forward to. Don't overbook your schedule. Pick the things you
enjoy doing the most, and focus on them. This way, you'll have
plenty of additional time for yourself and your family. Purchase
a five section divided notebook (or use pages from your personal
organizer). Title each of the dividers as follows: Holiday
Schedule, Gifts, Meals, Parties, and Extras. Holiday Schedule In
the Holiday Schedule section of your notebook, paste in a
calendar page for the month of December. This section will be
the center of all holiday activities. That is why it is so
important to have a family meeting, making sure everybody gets
to do and participate in what he/she likes best. On this page
keep track of all holiday events and parties, including school
programs, concerts, and work parties. Remember to include your
favorite television specials and family traditions such as
viewing the Live Nativity or the Christmas Light Tour. Don