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Step 1
Think about your time and energy. We all have a limited supply. Focus your energy on things that will make you and your family happy and perhaps eliminate the rest. Go to sendoutcards.com--they will send out real cards (as opposed to ecards) and even affix your signature. Or hire a teenager to address them for you--or eliminate that task all together and send out Valentine cards!
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Step 2
Get the whole family involved in any way you can. Ask the kids what 3 things they like doing or want to help doing. You may be surprised at what is important to them. As you put out holiday decorations get rid of the things you no longer use or want. It will free storage space and simplify everything.
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Step 3
Put everything in writing. Explain to the whole family--if it isn't on the calendar, it won't happen. Look over the calendar everyday to check what is going on. Schedule gift shopping, baking, tree decorating, church services,and family time. That way everything has a time and a place.
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Step 4
Buy gifts or make gifts early. Consider giving family gifts. Or give services such as meal prepation, baby-sitting or handyman work. If that won't work buy gifts in multiples--a book, CD, MP3 player--almost everyone could use one of those.
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Step 5
Keep your perspective. Christmas really celebrates the birth of Jesus. It is not meant to be a perfect, fairy tale day. Above all else, keep exercising! This will help your perspective on everythin
