All I Want for Christmas is to Grit my Teeth

Some people like to prepare EVERYTHING for the holidays (don’t you love them?). The most successful of these wizards get an early start while the rest of us only think that we prepare in advance. The fact of the matter is that the holidays often catch us with lots of work still to do and lots of stress to deal with.

There is also a great deal of fatigue and resentment that follow the holidays because people are on edge, overworked, under-appreciated. (THIS is a holiday?) The most common complaint at holiday time is that people don’t have enough help. The other one is that they don’t usually have enough time to mingle with their guests.

Something to remember: A fresh turkey is better than a frozen one, but a calm, relaxed hostess is worth a wilderness of fowl.

• Forget Perfect - There is no such thing. If you want to enjoy your time with guests and be a “present” hostess, know that there are going to be things that just don’t work out the way you had hoped. Count on at least one at each event. Repeat after me; “This is okay.”

• Prepare What You Can - Make sure that there are enough napkins BEFORE the big event. Print directions to your house for everyone who is coming for the first time, and make sure they get them well ahead of the party.

• Know your Guests - When people ask what they can bring, ask what they had in mind. In other words, don’t ask your nice aunt who hoped to buy cookies at a local bakery to bring a roasted turkey. If another relative is notoriously late, ask someone else to bring appetizers (the latecomer is a natural for a dessert or after-dinner wine). If a cousin makes a great casserole, suggest that she prepare one. (You get a great dish and you get to compliment someone you love, leaving one less angry and unappreciated relative to deal with later.) If you don’t like surprises, be sure you know what people are bringing so you feel comfortable with the menu in advance.

Even Santa has helpers.

Dr. Dale, licensed psychologist, guest expert on the TODAY Show and author of Sanity Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life, joins us with her ongoing SANITY SAVERS^TM column. For more Sanity Savers go to www.drdaleatkins.com .

Organizing the Holiday Rush

Here are 3 quick ways to get organized and really enjoy the holidays this year.

 
 

1. Decide What is Most Important to You
   Take a moment and think about what means the most to you at the holidays and focus your efforts there. 
    
2. Try Less Gift Giving and More Time Giving
   What people like more than getting gifts is sharing time with people they love. Offer presents in the form of time to help someone with a project.  This can be a really great gift idea and one that can be enjoyed in the months ahead. 
    
3. Scale Back!
   Perfectionism and a “magazine cover ideal” tend to hold sway at the holidays.  Instead of rushing around to do one more thing or buy one more gift, take a moment to pause and relax.  Remind yourself of what’s really important –it’s less about things and more about sharing experiences with others.

Jill McKean, Organize It, is a professional organizer specializing in office organization for small businesses and self-employed professionals. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). You can reach Jill at 203-431-6562 or info@organizeit-now.com or www.organizeit-now.com.

 

Even at the Holidays

Whether it’s the first holiday season after your divorce or the fifth, this time of year can be gloomy …if that’s the way you want to look at it. Or you can turn those Scrooge “bah humbugs” into merry cheer. Here are some Divorce Ain’t So Bad After All “tips” for surviving the holidays. Read more