How to Simplify Christmas

Christmas can often seem to get away from us. The endless gift-buying, party-going, children's events and many other activities truly can take over. While some look forward to the holidays with a childlike anticipation, many dread the rounds of "gimmies" they go through with their children or attending events they are expected to be at. There are many ways to press pause and take a refreshing breather to simplify Christmas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Calendar
• Gift wrapping paper
• Markers
• Calendar of Events for your town
• Christmas gifts

1. List all of the activities and things you are expected to do for the holidays. Include both personal and professional activities, events and gift buying.

2. Put the list aside for several days and go back to the list with fresh eyes. Think about what Christmas truly means to you. Put a star next to any activity that you wish to continue because you enjoy it and it is worth fitting into your schedule.

3. Look at the list and notice which items you really could let slide. Big parties will probably go on rocking and rolling without you there, for example.

4. Consider any items from this list that you would like to adapt in some way. Instead of exchanging gifts with all of the adults in your family, you could suggest doing a Secret Santa and only purchase a single gift.

5. Share the list with your family and ask their impressions. Notice what events and activities they would like to take a pass on, and which activities and events they would like to keep attending.

6. Take another sheet of paper and brainstorm for other activities and ideas for ways you could make the Christmas season simple but also meaningful. You could make some Christmas ornaments, or you could cut down your tree at a tree farm.

7. Stand firm with your decision to simplify Christmas, to make your family's life easier and your Christmas season more enjoyable. Not every relative or friend you have may feel the same way you do. They may take several seasons to adjust to what you are doing.

Tips & Warnings

• Giving a donation to charity instead of a gift is a thoughtful and meaningful idea. It can also be much easier than shopping at the mall for hours.
• Start a family Secret Santa where you exchange names to buy each other gifts. Have a dollar amount on gifts that are purchased, and consider having each person offer gift ideas that they would like.
• Activities closer to your home make things easier to do. Search out activities that are within half an hour or an hour to your doorstep.
• Gift wrap all of your gifts in the same color gift wrapping paper. Buy all of your gift wrapping paper at once, when you do your gift shopping.
• Homemade gifts can be thoughtful, but sometimes can be twice as much work as a store bought gifts.