SHOPPING:
- Shop online. – So simple – enough said.
- Condense your shopping. – Don’t waste time rushing from store to store. Pick a shopping destination, or two, and buy as many gifts as you can from your list there.
FOOD PREP:
- Plan your big meal together as a “potluck” meal. – This allows people to pitch in by making their favorite dish. When everybody helps, the burden is lighter and the fun factor is higher.
- Prepare ahead of time. – Prepare as much as you can ahead of time so you can enjoy your time together rather than rushing around preparing things while your guests are there.
CLUTTER-FREE GIFTS:
- Show appreciation to one another with an action rather than a gift. – Bake your uncle’s favorite pie, offer to walk an elderly neighbor’s dog weekly.
- Consumable gifts. – Yummy, home-made or store bought goodies are a great way to show others they’re special to you without adding to their clutter.
BE NICE TO YOURSELF:
- Say goodbye to perfectionism. – Accept that your gathering, or gift, will not look or feel exactly like the picture on the cover of a magazine and you might be able to enjoy it more.
- Slow down and breathe. – Many of us get trapped in the chaos of shopping, cooking and cleaning. This year focus on what’s really important rather than the duties of the season.
SIMPLIFY NEXT YEAR:
- Store artificial trees still assembled. – If you have enough room to store your artificial tree already put together, with the lights on, you’ll save alot of time this year and next year taking it apart and putting it back together.
- Store Christmas items together. – As you put things away this year, take a good look at what you have and purge the things you honestly aren’t using anymore. Take the time to untangle and wrap up Christmas lights as you pack them away.
