10 Tips for More Meaningful Holidays

No matter how many lists you make, cards you send, gifts you buy, or packages you wrap, there will be things you intended to do this holiday season that won't get done. If you do manage to get everything done, but you're too tired to enjoy the season, everyone suffers.

Consider these tips to minimize your stress and maximize the meaning this holiday season:

1. Tamper with tradition. Dragging yourself through "we've always done it" rituals when they've lost their meaning, and you've lost your energy, does not contribute to holiday joy.

2. Begin the season by making a list - but don't stop there. Pick out the most important item, the second, and on down the list. Remember, a creative mind always has more ideas than the body can accomplish!

3. Use your calendar - not just for appointments with other people, but with yourself as well. If you plan to send cards, estimate how much time it will take to write and address them, and block out that time on your calendar.

4. Ask your family what's important. Prepared foods instead of home-cooked means more time for sharing new sports equipment and relaxing with friends.

5. Avoid perfectionism in gift-giving. It's the thought that counts. Choose one or two gifts that can be used for several people. A relaxed parent or hostess is a greater gift than anything money can buy.

6. Focus your energy. If your family isn't as excited as you are about decorating the whole house, invest your efforts on what means the most to you.

7. If the holidays bring pain because of death, divorce, or family far away, be gentle with yourself. Recognize that grief is a healthy and that next year will be better, even if you can't believe it today. Concentrate on making other people's holiday more joyful.

8. Take time out from total togetherness. Let your child call a friend and take a nap. Give your siblings the car keys and a map. The idea is for everyone to enjoy the occasion.

9. Be clear about expectations. If you never tell your family what you want them to do, it's unfair to expect them to know.

10. Look over your list, leave off what you can live without, and enjoy the real reason for the season.

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com

---

Home For The Holidays: Happy Times, Right

This time of the year is supposed to be happy.... Read More

Taking Back Christmas

John Grisham wrote a book called SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Amazon.com reports:... Read More

The Last Laugh: Parental Pranks for April 1

The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but... Read More

Costumes! Do They Reflect On Your True Personality?

Costumes are a great way to escape reality, and wearing... Read More

Traditional VS. Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that... Read More

7 Tips For Defusing Holiday Stress

KNOW THYSELFThe first key to creating a peaceful holiday season... Read More

Say I Love You For Valentines Day

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to... Read More

New Ways to Use Old Christmas Cards

Forty years ago when I was growing up on our... Read More

Celebrating the ME in MumME

Another Mother's Day is upon us. A day in which... Read More

Is Buying a Gift for Mom as Difficult for You as it is for Me?

I have walked through a countless number of stores searching... Read More

The Gift of Failure

During this Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded to reflect on... Read More

Mothers Day Love Letter ? The Best Way to Express Your Gratitude and Appreciation for Mom!

Abraham Lincoln said ? "All that I am, or hope... Read More

Valentine?s Day Ideas for Singles

Maybe your significant other is overseas in the military. Maybe... Read More

A Valentines Day Story

Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22... Read More

Making the Holidays More Meaningful

Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you... Read More

12 Things That Make Life Worthwhile!

Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time... Read More

Ill Be Home For Christmas

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 29,... Read More

Happy Holidays? It?s Up To You

The Holiday Season. Does time seem to compress, or is... Read More

Top 50 Christmas Quotations

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving... Read More

Keeping Christmas Spirit Alive: Christmas Just Isn?t The Same Without Santa Claus!

Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More

Mother?s Day Crafts

Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for... Read More

Gods Gift to You... Mom

Have you ever thought what you would have done without... Read More

Creative Kid Birthday Cake Ideas

A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room... Read More

Camping And The Right Kind Of Tent

Campers all over the globe prefer to use tents in... Read More

Hoo Hoo ? Owls and Superstitions, Thats Who

Superstitions surrounding owls have a long and ancient history. These... Read More

Dear Santa: Christmas Sucks!

Christmas time is finally here, and most people during this... Read More

Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off

Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother's... Read More

Creative Christmas Gifts

Christmas is always the time of year we consider to... Read More

Birthday Gift Guide

A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More

Simplify the Season

Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list:... Read More

10 Tips to a Stress Free Holiday

"The stress-free way to enjoy the holidays is to plan,... Read More

Ten Tips for a Real Holiday Season

Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make... Read More

Cornucopia Centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day

As we enter into the month of November my thoughts... Read More