It is Thanksgiving week and the official kick off the holiday season.  This time of year can get crazy hectic and the strain on our time, emotions and pocketbook can be overwhelming.  I know, I have stressed myself out more years than not and through those experiences, I have learned a few valuable lessons that I must remind myself of each year.  I am sharing those lessons with you so that you may also feel more emotionally energized and joyous throughout this holiday season.

• Remember the real and true reason for the season.  The holiday season is a time to be thankful for all of our blessings, big and small.  It is a time to relive fond memories and make new memories with loved ones.  This is also a time to honor your religious beliefs and traditions.  Be grateful, give thanks, make memories, honor traditions and practice your faith.
• Keep things in perspective, do only what you can without feeling resentful or going both financially and emotionally broke.  I know that during the other 10 months of the non-holiday season, the demands are already high and then when those two magical months roll around, the demands on us can be seemingly impossible.  Do you know why?  Because we expect it, we have become accustomed to it, and we ALLOW it.  It is too late now to tell you about planning all year by picking up small thoughtful gifts along the way or to make your gifts throughout the year – I will save that blog post for January.  Now that we are entering the fury of the season, it is time to prioritize and make a plan.
  • Set a budget -  Budget for the gifts, wrapping supplies, food for entertaining or potlucks, home improvements before company comes, party clothes, haircuts, manicures, and donations….
  • Write out gift list – Come up with gifts that are thoughtful, meaningful and purposeful.  Once your list is complete, put your left hand on the list, raise your right hand, and say this oath: “I, (your name), vow to stick to this list and will not add to it without removing something else.  I will stick to my budget.  I will enjoy giving from the heart. I will remember the reason for the season.”
  • Create calendar/schedule –   Start with the important events, like school plays/pageants, religious events/gatherings, family get-togethers and mandatory work functions.  Then put down events with friends.  It is also good to schedule time for yourself and a few quiet times with your significant other.  That time can be as simple as meeting for a cup of coffee at your local coffee house or romantic as sharing a bubble bath and reciprocal massages. Next, add in deadlines for things like gift and holiday meal shopping, gift-wrapping, and personal care like manicures, hair appointments.  Remember to schedule babysitters as necessary right away, as they get booked up too.
  • Set expectations for the season – If this is going to be a lean year for your family where previous years may have allowed you to be more liberal and extravagant with gifts, now is the time to start talking with the kids to let them know this year is going to be different.  In a positive and up-beat way, help your family understand that this year will be a year of focusing on family time, creating memories, and honoring of faith.  It is best to prepare your family for any changes from previous years rather than face confused and letdown faces later.
• Be the barometer – Be the one that sets an optimistic and enthusiastic environment.  Keep your focus on what is important and avoid emotional energy zappers.  There may be changes in your holiday this year – let them leave positive impressions on those around you.  You have more control of your surroundings than you may even realize.  You set the tone, temperature, bass, treble, and volume.  You can radiate an attitude of abundance and help others feel the joy of the season.

I hope these steps help you have a more peaceful holiday season filled with joyous memories.  By taking the time to plan and sticking to the plan, you will find more time to enjoy with those that matter most to you and in a way that truly reflects the abundance that is around you all year long.

Many blessing to you!