Your Ultimate Guide & Checklist For Coping With the Holidays

The holidays can be one of the most joyous times of the year. From jolly carolers singing your favorite songs to the abundance of delicious baked goods and family get-togethers, the holidays bring about many exciting and memorable times. But they also bring on a lot of stress. You forgot to buy a gift for your new nephew, or one of your guests decided to bring a friend so now you have to prepare extra food, etc. You cannot prepare for these types of events, but you can make adjusting to them easier. And the best way to do that is by utilizing our 4 tips below…

1. Plan Ahead . The best trick to staying stress-free during the holidays is by the following the simple rule that allows you to stay stress-free all year round: make a to-do list and stay on top of it. By putting together a list, you can make sure that you complete all items you need to and don’t forget anything. You can also use this opportunity to create deadlines for yourself and plan what you’ll have done each week.

a. BONUS TIP : Save your holiday to-do list for this year in a place you’ll remember so you can use it as a base for next year’s list.

2. Utilize Online Platforms . If you know that you won’t be able to hit two malls in one day to get gifts for everyone, take advantage of new options available online. For example, many stores are now offering an option where you can purchase the item online, but pick it up at your nearest location. This is a great option to skip the lines, while still getting your items as soon as possible. Or if you have time to spare, just have the shipped directly to you so you don’t have to deal with malls period.

a. BONUS TIP #1 : Online platforms (especially for larger retailers) typically offer better sales when you buy online. So you’ll not only be saving time, you’ll also be saving money.

b. BONUS TIP #2 : Take advance of the filter options when shopping online, especially the price filter. You likely have a price point in mind for each recipient (small $5 gifts v. nice $75 gifts v. extravagant $500 gifts) and a filter option will allow you to only look at gifts that fit your budget.

c. BONUS TIP #3 : Whether you are purchasing your gift in store or online, you can almost always have the item shipped directly to the recipient via the store. This will save you money on packing supplies and the stress and time of going to the post office during their busy season.

3. Finish Early . Plan to have all tasks completed as close to December 1 st as you can. Not only will this allow you to keep as close to your regular schedule as possible, it will also allow you to adjust to any last-minute changes that pop up – such as a store being out of the gift you wanted to buy or a new party being thrown the day you were planning to do some shopping. Not to mention you’ll skip all of the holiday traffic and crowds that comes with last-minute shopping.

a. BONUS TIP #1 : Set a budget for yourself to make sure you do not overspend. Break it down by recipient and look for gifts only within that price point. (See point #2b)

b. BONUS TIP #2 : Utilize price protection options. Many stores will offer price adjustments within a 7-14 day period, as well as the option to completely return the item and then rebuy it at a lower price if it falls outside of the price adjustment window. Rest assured that even though you got your gifts early, you can still benefit from the sales the later shoppers will be reaping.

4. Remember To Care For Yourself. With all that there is to do this season, it can be easy to disregard some of your favorite pastimes that help you relax – like going to the gym for an hour each day or taking a long bubble bath two nights per week. But it’s important to not sacrifice these moments even though you now have an influx of new chores that must be done. While Tip #1: Plan Ahead should allow you to stick closely to your regular schedule, you may find yourself sacrificing your workout time in order to grab a few more gifts. DON’T. Exercise and relaxation are vital to staying stress-free during the holidays and that one hour of your day can make a huge difference.

Happy Holidays everyone!

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