| Life in and of itself can prove to be very stressful at | | | | to buy bigger and better gifts for those we love, even |
| times,however, more often than not the holiday season | | | | if this puts us in debt. If you are a Grandparent like I |
| can stir up quite a lot of stress. For most of us, the | | | | am, this can be an especially challenging temptation. |
| holidays includes too much time fighting traffic, spending | | | | Expensive gifts won't gaurantee a happy holiday. Even |
| way too much on our credit cards, entertaining | | | | children will be grateful for moderately priced gifts that |
| relatives and pretending to be thrilled when we receive | | | | are chosen with care. |
| yet another George Foreman grill. It's no wonder that in | | | | START YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPPING EARLY |
| an effort to pull off the perfect Disney holiday you | | | | People sometimes postpone holiday shopping until the |
| might find yourself facing an overwhelming array of | | | | last minute, but shopping early you can avoid the |
| chores, shopping, baking, cleaning, etc. and you have to | | | | stress of dealing with crowded stores and parking lots, |
| manage to get it all done either on your days off or | | | | traffic jams,cold, snowy weather,etc. |
| after work. This year, you can make it a point to enjoy | | | | DO YOUR SHOPPING ONLINE Shopping for gifts |
| the holidays more by simplifying some of the work, | | | | online is an ideal way to buy gifts for friends and |
| while maintaining what makes the holidays special: The | | | | family. You can check your list and see how many |
| Love and fellowship with friends and loved ones. Here | | | | gifts you can purchase at the same online gift store, |
| are some tips to help you cope with, or even avoid | | | | and try to get all of your shopping done at once. Many |
| holiday stress: | | | | gift store websites offer great sales and discounts, |
| ASK HELP FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS Putting up | | | | especially during the holiday season. Don't stress |
| a Christmas tree and other decorations can be | | | | yourself out wondering what gift to get for someone |
| exhausting. Asking family and friends to help is one of | | | | who has everything. You can purchase Gift Cards in |
| the best ways to save energy and have a beautifully | | | | different denominations, place them in a Christmas |
| decorated home for the holidays. If everybody in your | | | | greeting card and you have the perfect gift for people |
| family gets along, consider yourself blessed. But if your | | | | of all ages.Save money, save on gas, and shop from |
| family is full of friction, the holidays can become very | | | | the comfort of your home. |
| unpleasant. You can clear the atmosphere by involving | | | | KEEP MOVING Exercise is always a great stress |
| everyone in the planning and decision making. Make it a | | | | reliever. Instead of watching It's a Wonderful Life for |
| party. Serve food and refreshments and have fun. | | | | the 100th time, grab your favorite cousin and go for a |
| GO EASY ON ALCOHOL A stiff glass of eggnog | | | | brisk walk.It will improve your heart health and it's a |
| can be a good way to toast the holiday, but don't go | | | | great way to shed those extra calories from eating |
| overboard. Too much alcohol will only add to your | | | | too much of Aunt Mary's German chocolate cake. |
| stress. | | | | I hope this holiday season finds you happy, healthy, |
| KNOW YOUR SPENDING LIMIT Much of the stress | | | | calm and peaceful. Give these tips a try, and I |
| of the holiday season comes from feeling pressured | | | | guarantee you'll have less stress and more fun!! |