Okay, so it’s Christmas Eve and you have decked the halls, jingled the bells and are almost ready for the big day, great! However, if a nagging feeling of dread has taken over you and you are feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, it is time to breathe and relax. At this point in the game you are almost done, but for the odd gift, food prep and wrapping. If you are feeling stressed, maybe this is the year to re-think Christmas and focus on being together instead of cooking the best meal or wrapping the prettiest package. Here are some ideas to help stave off holiday burnout and additional stress.
SIMPLIFY THE CHRISTMAS MEAL
Consider ordering your Christmas meal from a local store such as Vons, Pavillions, Safeway or Kroger who offer fully prepared meals for pick up, just heat and serve.
Vons: http://www.vons.com/IFL/Grocery/Holiday-Dinners
Or grab a Honeybaked Ham and add a few fixin’s like mashed potatoes and salad.
http://www.honeybaked.com/default.asp
You may want to try making a big Christmas brunch with bagels, cream cheese, omelets, pastries and fruit and have soup, salad and fine breads for dinner instead of a big meal.
Here are some samples of great simple holiday meals:
APPLE, CHEDDAR, SQUASH SOUP
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/apple-cheddar-squash-soup-recipe/index.html
FIVE HEARTY SOUPS AND SALADS
http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/five-winter-soups-salads-recipes
EASY CHRISTMAS BRUNCH RECIPES
http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/recipes/brunch-recipes
So now that you have your meal simplified and planned, its time to think about Christmas family activities that will help you from feeling like you need to play hostess all day.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT EXTRAVAGANZA
It’s almost a given that some sort of Christmas morning mayhem will ensue, especially if you have kids so start off with the right strategy for a stress free morning.
MAP OUT THE GIFTS
If you don’t already do this, definitely map out a large comfy space for each person and then place a garbage bag for trash and a box for gifts at each station.
When all of the gifts have been opened simply throw away the bags and let each person take their box. You may want to let your kids do a little treasure inspecting while you prepare the breakfast/brunch.
Later in the afternoon you may want to engage in a family activity, that is low stress and fun.
WORK ON A PUZZLE
Get the whole family together to work on a puzzle here are some fun ones…
You may have a puzzle hanging around or you can buy them at BARNES AND NOBEL, TARGET, WALMART, KMART and BORDERS all of which are open today 🙂
MAKE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
Use left over bows, wrapping and stuff from Christmas morning to make Christmas ornaments for the tree. The family can have a blast making fun Christmas decorations that will be treasured for years to come.
http://crafts.slides.kaboose.com/326-christmas-crafts/34
GIVE TO THE HOMELESS AND ELDERLY
Christmas is a great time to be grateful for all that we have. So on Christmas day if you and the family are sitting around getting bored, think about going out and serving food or giving to the homeless. Here are some charities that are providing for the poor on Christmas day.
MEALS ON WHEELS gives food to the elderly, call them and sign up to deliver food on Christmas.
http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=396
VOLUNTEER AT A HOMELESS SHELTER OR SOUP KITCHEN
http://4homeless.hypermart.net/soup_kitchens.html
PLAY TOGETHER
Bust out the old board games, its time to play. You can play a friendly family game or become a Christmas cutthroat and play for prizes. However you chose to compete, a fun game played with loved ones really makes the day special. Here are some fun board game ideas.
MONOPOLOLY
Nothing says Christmas like a nice game of real estate strategy. While it may be too late to buy it this year, if you don’t already own it, go out and get…
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MONOPOLY GAME
SCRABBLE
This popular word game is a great way to teach the older kids reading and test your own skills. Not to be redundant, but you can put the Nightmare Before Christmas Scrabble Game on your wish list for next year.
http://www.areyougame.com/interact/item.asp?itemno=UPMN004261
http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FD3955
TRIVIAL PURSUIT
Try your hand at the Master Trivial Pursuit game here:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Trivial+Pursuit&hl=en&rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS384US384&prmd=ivns&resnum=3&biw=1024&bih=624&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=13283303725877596135&ei=uksUTZ7-O4PAsAOA0O2LCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CFwQ8wIwAQ#
Or use easier versions of the game if you have little ones.
After the kids are in bed there is always POKER, with a little bit of coin tossed in for fun.
Okay so you have opened the presents ate a great meal, played games and the night is winding down, now what?
Well…did you get a gift that was less than loved. Did you get something that tips towards the unwanted pile; never fear you can re-gift or trade that unwanted gift for something you will really enjoy.
UNWANTED GIFT EXCHANGE
Plan an “unwanted” gift exchange, where friends (of course not those who gave you the gift) can come and exchange their unwanted gifts for yours. Make it fun, with snacks and beverages and plan it in the week between Christmas and New Years. Whatever is left over you can donate to a thrift store or local charity.
Use EVITE to invite friends for this fun after Christmas party.
http://new.evite.com/#gallery/select_category:category=gift_exchange&displayName=Gift Exchange
However you chose to celebrate the day, make sure that you enjoy it. Moms are often running the show on Christmas day, but try and do enough planning today to make tomorrow fun and enjoyable, not only for your family, but for you as well. Enjoy, breath, relax, be merry!
