Welcome back to Becentsable’s Holiday Boot Camp!
Today we are going to talk about planning your holiday calendar. Another secret to a stress-free holiday is to keep your plans manageable! Over scheduling yourself and your family can lead to unwanted stress.
First and foremost, always take time to stop and remember why you are celebrating this time of year!
Respect your normal routines; including nap times, meal times and bed times. Children especially need to remain as close to their normal schedule as possible. Over scheduling children to the point where they are missing out on a much needed nap will ultimately lead to a melt down and make the event unpleasant for all. If you have a late night or miss a nap one day, be sure to schedule a rest day the following day to allow your children a chance to recover before the next event.
Recognize the importance of just saying no to some invitations. If it is not on your priority list or you are not comfortable with the scheduled time, simply let the host know you appreciate the invitation but you are unable to attend this time.
While making your holiday calendar, be certain to schedule time for your high-priority events. Family traditions should always take top priority! For example: visiting Santa, viewing Christmas lights or making cookies.
Ask your school or church about holiday programs now, so you can add to your calendar and avoid a conflict later. Be sure to include holiday services on your calendar.
Make a list of all of the dinners, parties and gift exchanges you normally attend so you will have an idea of what events need to still be scheduled.
Your holiday calendar should also include time consuming items such as decorating your tree and home along with putting up outside lights. Schedule time to write out your holiday cards and mail them out. If you mail packages out of town, you will want to plan time for getting them ready to mail. Do not forget to schedule plenty of time for shopping and wrapping presents. Running to the mall for a last minute gift will always cause unwanted stress!
If you will be traveling out town over the holidays, be sure to schedule time for packing and making travel arrangements. If you will be driving, be sure to include any necessary car maintenance.
Lastly, it is important to schedule your house cleaning time. Too many people find themselves cleaning their homes on Christmas Eve for company the next day rather than enjoying the evening with their family.
