December 03, 2009

The holidays are a great time to be with your family and create lasting memories with your kids. It should be a relaxing and cheerful time of year. However, it often becomes difficult to keep everything in order and not become overwhelmed. We lose ourselves in all the things we have to take care of and miss out on enjoying the moments. So how can we prevent this from happening? It’s easy- all you have to do is follow these 5 tips:

1. Start Early (and without the kids): We go shopping all year round for things we need- the trick is to have an open eye and no kids around. Children can be a big distraction, and we miss out on seeing potential gifts. If your children are in school, this can be the perfect time to both grab what you need and buy amazing gifts for your family! Plus, spreading the purchases out over time will help to manage your finances. If you do have the kids with you, sometimes they can help you out. Play the “Eye Spy” game asking the kids what they spy for a potential gift for Grandma or Auntie May.
2. Make a plan of attack: It’s very beneficial to have your expectations in place. If you know how much you have to spend, what you need to buy, when you need to be done, this will eliminate a good portion of your stress. Having a plan of attack can help you stay focused and not become overwhelmed while shopping. Plan out around your kids schedule as well.
3. The Internet is here to help! Buying gifts online can be a huge stress reliever. You can do it from the comfort of your own home and after all the little ones are asleep. But if you’re one of those who likes to see and touch what you’re buying or avoid using your credit card online - you can still use the Internet to help you out. Do a quick search for a product and use the “shop” tool on your search engine. It will list all the different stores/websites that offer the product at the best prices. Great for your budget and a huge time saver!
   Additional tip: Make a quick phone call to the store to check on availability and put it on hold before you make the trip.
4. Take breaks: When putting together your plan of attack, give yourself a couple days of relaxation. No shopping (unless it’s for yourself), no wrapping, no cooking- just enjoy the holiday season. Go out to dinner, see a holiday movie, make a trip to the spa, or just play in the snow with the kids. This will make the holiday season more enjoyable and create memories that will last a lifetime.
5. Give back: The holidays can be a time of struggle for many people who are less fortunate. In the spirit of the season, take some time to give back to the community and those that need our help. Find your local charities, soup kitchens, senior homes, and military offices. Volunteer with your family, share your talents, and/or write to the brave soldiers who can’t spend time with their families.