From Deseret News archives:

Do some planning for stress-free holidays

Published: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005 12:18 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Every year we declare that this year we will be ready for the holidays, and every year we find ourselves wrapping gifts or running to the grocery at the last minute. Do you want to have a stress-free holiday? I can see you affirming this with your head nods! Well, it is not going to happen if you just sit and wish things could be different. It is going to take a little moving on your part so that your lives will be peaceful. Are you ready to look at some simple ways to keep life calm during the holidays?

When your home is weighing heavily on your heart it is hard to do much of anything else. I want you to set a timer and do a fun crisis clean. This is spending 15 minutes in your kitchen, then 15 minutes in your living room and 15 minutes in your main bathroom. Then for the last 15 minutes I want you to sit down with a cup of something warm and a notebook. We are going to do what we do best; make a list. This list is not going to be a guilt fest, either.

Now that the house is looking better, you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Doing a fun crisis clean each day in each room will keep your home maintained.

Now for our simple holiday planning notebook. You can download one for free on my Web site. Just go to www.FlyLady.net and look in the Holiday Cruising Section for a link to the Holiday Control Journal. If you don't want to take the time now, then by all means just grab an old notebook with a few sheets in it and we can get started.

Story continues below
1. How much money do you have to spend? This should include travel money, gifts, food and anything else that is above your regular budget. In order to enjoy the holidays we can't be dreading the January bills. Write down the amount of money you want to spend toward the back of your blank pages.

2. Now title the pages: travel, favorite family traditions, holiday meals, gifts to make, gifts to buy, decorations and gift wrap, parties and events and your personal gift list.

3. Are you traveling or is your home going to be filled with guests? Make a list of things that need to be done: car maintenance, packing, plane tickets, guest room cleaned.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

BYU, Utah game highlights

I was hoping BYU would win by 3 TDs but ya know, I'm starting to like these...

Headline: "Utah adopts Saskatchewan Health Plan"! Next page headline: "Pigs...

Shame on Max. I am sure he will live to regret what he said. How ever, If BYU...

What's the news? The guy is a 20+ years old with a microscope on him. He...

S.L. wheels forward with initiative

I too applaude the efforts being made to help cyclists and motorists more...

It's about time a Cougar fought back. As another wrote, "You can only kick a...

I dare you to define the word 'classless'. But wait, I guess you already did...

Hall mouths off about hate of Utah

John 13:34-35  34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have...

Right on, Max! I have heard Ute fans (especially), players and former...

BYU is champion of the state

Take your response and turn it the other way. You say you have family and...

Advertisements