A Stress Free Christmas Planner

You can reduce the stress and the helplessness that the holidays can bring by just planning. It is hard to have a memorable holiday season when you are worried about the costs of the holidays. With a little planning and budget creation, you can have a very nice and stress free holiday.

This weekly planning guide will help you create a memorable holiday for your family without breaking the budget or stressing yourself out. This plan includes the tasks that often occur when planning for the holidays. Let each tasks help you tame the stress and use only the tasks that fit your needs and traditions.

Week One

• Write out your gift lists – Make a gift list and stick to it. If money is an issue this year, now is the time to suggest drawing for names instead of buying for everyone. This is especially cost saving when everyone agrees only to spend a certain amount on the name drawn.
• Organize mailing addresses – This one is time consuming is you haven’t set up a mailing list before but once it’s done all you have to do each year afterwards is update the addresses and emails. To create mailing lists just ask the help program of whatever home word processing system you are using. Once the list is done, it is just a matter of printing labels for cards, packages, or gift tags. The great thing about creating this list is that you only have to update information for next year.
• Holiday Cards – To save money this year mail cards only to those who are older and not computer literate. If grandma is online and has an email address email her card, but Aunt Harriet may need to get a solid one. If you have organized your mailing addresses sending email Holiday cards is easy and quick.
• Start looking for coupons and deals online – Sites such as www.ebates.com offer free coupons, rebates, and shipping. www.freeshipping.org is a one stop online place for free shipping offers from a variety of retailers. In addition, save on that holiday grocery bill by visiting your favorite grocery store’s website for coupons and specials. Sites such as www.dominicks.com in addition to coupons offer things such as 10 cents off on gas for every $50.00 purchase and special promotions for frequent buyers.
• Put up exterior Decorations – For a nice family activity cut out holiday pictures and create your own decorations. Sites such as http://www.amazingmoms.com/ , www.hgtv.com, and http://family.go.com/ offer free holiday craft gifts and decorating ideas.

Week Two

• Plan your holiday menus – By planning your menus ahead of time you can shop for coupons and recipe ideas that will not break the budget. To save even more money ask family members to bring their favorite holiday appetizer, salad, or side dish to defray the cost of the feast. Websites such as http://www.kraftfoods.com and http://www.pillsbury.com/ offer coupons, holiday recipes, and menus.
• Shop online for gifts – You can save money on gas, car wear, and time by shopping when it is convenient for you. Many sites, such as http://www.couponcabin.com, offer free shipping and special online sales. Some retailers also offer exclusive Internet items not found in stores. Make sure you ask after each purchase about free gift-wrapping many retailers offer gift wrapping services for small fee or at not cost.
• Unpack interior decorations and prepare them for display – Things like hand towels, tablecloths, and linens need to be cleaned, other things need dusting or repair, by doing this early in the season it will save you last minute run around time. Keep your holidays fresh by only displaying half of what you have each year. It will make you feel like you have something new to display and it will cut down on cleaning time during the rest of the holiday season.
• Prepare and possibly handout gifts and tips to service people. Save money by making your own holiday, cookies and handing them out or by creating special gift baskets tailored to the specific service. For example, a teacher’s basket can include things like small hand lotions, apples, children’s books, markers and other supplies she can use in the classroom.
• Buy bulk gifts – Cases of wine lower the cost per bottle and make great last minute gifts to neighbors, acquaintances and to surprise gift givers
• Pick out a few holiday outfits for each member of the family and hang them in a special place. Running around to get ready for a last minute party or event is stressful enough without worrying what to wear.
• Buy or make and freeze cookies or appetizers for last minute entertaining
• Clean the house and get it ready for company. Delegate cleaning and pick up to family members, with a deep clean done now you will only have to do maintenance for the rest of the month. Put up interiors holiday decorations and make it a family tradition event with treats

Week Three

• Do something nice for yourself. Often times holiday planners do not enjoy the holidays because they are so busy creating something nice for everyone else. Make sure you do something to relax you and take a breather before the final week.

Week Four

• Shop for food – This should be easy if you have planned and have all your coupons! Delegate this task to a spouse or older child with directions to follow the list. If they have a question, they can reach you by cell phone.
• Tidy up all the high traffic areas of the house and the guest bathroom
• Get your kitchen ready for the big day. Get your roaster out and the other things you will need for your holiday feast. Find out if you need a new baister or gravy bowl before the big day.
• Do prep work the night before. Things like salads and chopping can be done the night before. Get the whole family involved and make it a fun event.
• Start the main meal early so you can also enjoy your guests
• Make clean up a team effort

Planning and creating a plan will help you experience the holidays in a more relaxed way and it will give you a chance to create some personal holiday memories that will be more about family than about the stress.