Keeping the Cheer in this Holiday Season

For many people the Holidays = stress and anxiety.   Truthfully up until about 10 years ago I felt the same way.   What changed for me is planning planning and yes more planning!  Actually for me the planning begins the day after Christmas and continues throughout the year. 

I hit the after Christmas sales with list in hand and scoop up great bargains and stash them away in the gift cabinet.  Of course I do not buy everything I need but I make a really great dent and I always have on hand great hostess gifts or gifts for those spur of the moment needs. 

I also keep a running list of the gifts that I have given over the past few years so that I do not duplicate as sometimes when you buy in bulk there are a few left overs from year to year and well the last thing I want to do is give someone the same gift twice…

Once the whirlwind of the holidays are behind and it comes time to pack away all the “holiday decor” I pack very carefully and systematically.  I group the items in the bins and label them for the area that they go in the house.  That saves me hours of digging and also makes it very easy for Hubby as he unloads the attic and hauls them around to place them exactly where they need to go right out of the starting gate… Yes you guessed it there are lots of decorations and the house pretty much looks like “Santa threw up”  To quote a dear friend of mine

Now Christmas cards are wonderful but DAMN are they a lot of work so this year we started something new… NO CARDS sorry friends Not this year instead we took the money that we would have spent for 250+ cards and sponsored 3 families from an organization called “Single Mothers Outreach”.  Doing that was amazing.

Another aspect of the Holidays that can be STRESSFUL is the whole $$ spending $$ part.    Most of us have been affected by the crappy recession and because of the currect economy we have made some changes that really have turned out to be fun and have reminded us that the Holidays is not just about the “stuff that you buy or get” 

Here are a few things we have changed:

Make a budget and stick to it….  I know this may be new to some of us it was to me but it is really amazing what and how many great things you can get if you just “search” for them and gather coupons and watch the sales.

Friend getting together for dinners instead of gift exchanges.

Using a lot more of the comparison shopping sites on line… As you know when things are good and the cash is flowing we often buy from the first place you look…  Not anymore and believe it or not many retailers are willing to work with you as well.. Just ask

Family Gifts instead of individual gift:  For example at home movie night basket are great!

Gifts from the Kitchen are wonderful and so easy.

I would say the #1 THING we have done is PAY CASH for everything…. No way I want a bill in January and let me tell you there is nothing better than opening your credit card statement in January and seeing well not much in the “balance owed” section!

Here is my DAMN QUESTION FOR YOU!!!

What tips to you have! I am always looking for ways to decrease the stress and increase the cheer this time of year… So if you have any “trade” secrets do share!!