Preparing for the holiday season can be hectic. There’s a home to clean and decorate, meals and treats to cook, shopping and gift-giving, holiday excursions with the kids, and the list goes on.

Thankfully, there are tried and proven ways to take a great deal of the stress out of the holiday season. Read on to discover winning ways to make your holidays a relaxed, planned, pleasant affair for all involved.

Make a List

The first thing you need to do is make a to-do list. When you’re done, prioritize it to ensure you get the most important jobs done first. You probably won’t get to everything on the list, but that’s OK if you’ve done the most important things.

Make a Budget

The average American spends more than $880 on holiday gifts, food, travel, decorations, etc. What’s more, over one in five Americans go into debt during this time of year.

To avoid this, make a budget for gifts before you start holiday shopping – and stick to it. Avoid expensive gifts and/or whittle down your gift list if you can’t afford to give everyone a present.

You can also save money by lowering your holiday decor budget. Reuse decorations from past years, making small improvements with items purchased at dollar stores and garage sales. It’s never too early to create a holiday financial plan that allows you to have fun without going into debt.

Shop Early

The beginning of November isn’t too early to start buying your holiday gifts. Don’t count on next-day shipping during the holiday season. If you intend to shop online, order gifts far in advance.

Are you shopping in person? Do so ahead of time as well. It may take time to find what you’ll need, and you won’t have to worry about items being out of stock. Take your gift shopping list with you when you go out and procure items little by little. As an added benefit, shopping early enables you to compare prices at various stores and thus save money on gift-giving.

Wrap Gifts Ahead of Time

Don’t wait until the last minute to wrap gifts. If you’ve done your shopping early, you can start wrapping items at the beginning of December. Getting the gift-wrapping out of the way ahead of time frees you to enjoy evenings with family and friends.

Discuss Holiday Plans

What would you and your family like to do during the holiday season? Are you hoping to have relatives or friends come over? Would you like to visit certain places, or take part in certain activities? Mid-November is a good time to get out a calendar and write down holiday plans.

Especially during the uncertainty of Covid-19, talk to close relatives and friends about their holiday plans. Some may be expecting to get together with you for the holiday. Not everyone plans in advance, but being aware of what they’re thinking can help you prepare for possibilities, so you’re not caught by surprise.

Prepare for Enjoyable Moments

Get holiday playlists together so you can enjoy your favorite music as you decorate your home, cook meals, bake cookies or simply sit back and relax. If you like certain snacks, stock up on them in advance. If you enjoy baking, buy the ingredients you need ahead of time so you don’t have to run out to the store at the last minute.

Do you enjoy using an Advent calendar? If so, find one you like in mid-November so you’re ready to put it up at the beginning of December. Check it ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need to do recommended daily activities.

Make Time to Relax

The holiday season can be a busy time, and odds are you won’t “find” time to relax. You’ll have to make time. Set aside time in your schedule to simply do nothing. Curl up with a good book, watch a favorite TV show or movie, or take a walk with family or friends.

Keep the Right Frame of Mind

Your frame of mind can make the difference between an enjoyable holiday season and a stressed out, hectic one. Bear in mind that:

• Your house doesn’t have to be as ornately decorated as your neighbors’.
• Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful.
• Simple pleasures can be just as memorable as a complex event or large party.
• Spending time with family and friends is more important than baking the perfect cookies, wrapping the perfect gifts, or creating an ideal table arrangement.
• You need time to relax. It’s not a luxury. Carve out some “alone” time so you’re mentally and physically prepared to handle the stress of the holiday season.

Would you like to avoid stress this holiday season? With planning, budgeting, and the right frame of mind, your holiday season can be a memorable one filled with joy, laughter, and the companionship of family and friends.