During the Christmas Season our schedules are full and sometimes our pocket-books are low.  We have many expectations and when those do not come to volition stress can set-in making it easy to blow your top.  I have a few tips to help curb some of your stress and keep the joy of the season in prospective.

•  Set realistic goals.  sometimes we set goals for ourselves that we cannot possibly reach.  Take a few moments to plan but keep goals simple and attainable.  Do not plan to make 200-dozen cookies to place in beautiful packaged boxes with home-made cards unless you can reach that goal, you and your army.  Make a list of your top 10 best friends and favorite neighbors to make a special baked-good platter or a nice ‘gift from a jar’ (http://www.geocities.com/giftsinajar/).  Being in the kitchen with your children should be a fun an memorable time, not a time of stress with unrealistic expectations attached.
• Learn to say “NO”.  It is OK to forego that big Christmas party or miss the annual production at church if your schedule is too full.  If you planned a quiet evening alone with your family, do not cancel those plans.  The season is about spending time with family as well as friends—but family should come first on the list. 
• Keep things in prospective.  Ask yourself (before making that over-budget purchase) will it be worth the sacrifice you’ll make in the coming year to pay for that gift?  Christmas is not about the perfect gift or the most elaborate plans but about the quality time you can spend with loved-ones.  Be sure to compare things that happen today with what is important throughout the year and in the future.
• Take a walk.  Studies show that a short-burst of exercise will help clear your mind and will also take you away from a stressful situation.  Take 20 minutes for yourself which will not only improve your health but will help ease some mental strain at the same time.

Don’t forget the reason we celebrate Christmas, He came that we might have LIFE not stress.  Remember that Jesus was not concerned with the perfect gift because He WAS the perfect gift.  Take time to spend with the Lord and show your children that no matter how long their ‘wish list’ may be, HE is the reason for the celebration.

http://www.geocities.com/giftsinajar/ Gifts in a Jar Recipes

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/1112926.html  All I Want for the New Year Is ... A Peaceful Family by Annette Friesen

http://www.body1.com/news/index.cfm/1/305/1 Simple Steps Help Turn the Tide of Holiday Stress by Diana Barnes-Brown