With the holidays in full swing, I thought I’d share a few tips for helping to ease our holiday stress. We’re often caught up in the hustle and bustle of planning, shopping and preparing for the holidays that it’s hard to take time to relax and unwind. Here’s a few quick tips for recharing our holiday batteries:
- Set aside a few minutes in the day to enjoy your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
- Keep a small notebook and pen with you to jot down gift ideas as they come to mind.
- Try to purchase some of your gifts online to save yourself extra time and gas.
- Pick up a couple of holiday magazines for inspiration and creative ideas.
- Make a small goodie basket for yourself with lotions, a new nail polish or favorite cd.
- Try to have one evening a week free to watch movies, play family games or go to bed early.
- Wrap presents as you buy them to keep from having a mountain of work on the 24th.
- Get outside, take a walk, go look at the lights, bring your neighbors a pie and take time to visit with them.
What are some of your favorite ways to keep holiday stress at bay? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
1. I keep our holidays stress free by remember what’s most important to me… spending time with family and friends. I try and keep them in focus this time of year, and not how many gifts I buy, or buying the biggest or best gifts for those I love. It’s keeps this time of year a favorite for me, and completely stress free.
by Dede — 11/9/08 at 9:42 pm #
2. A hot bubble bath, candles, cup of tea, and a cd…total relaxation.
by Laurie — 11/9/08 at 9:46 pm #
3. What stores have any Chanukah items to purchase in your stores.?
I live near the Somerville, Assembly Sq. Mall store.
by Ruth — 11/9/08 at 11:30 pm #
4. Hi Ruth,
Thanks for submitting a comment to Openhouse, the new HomeGoods blog.
We understand that you have been trying to locate Channukah items. As an off price retailer, we make every effort to keep our prices low, and our costs down, so that we can pass these savings on to our customers. For this reason, we do not provide a service of tracking merchandise, In addition, we do not have the privilege of ordering specific merchandise from our vendors. To locate the items, we suggest that you continue to check with the stores in your area directly. We would be happy to provide you with store locations in your area. If you would like a store list, please call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-888-0776.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 11/10/08 at 11:39 am #
5. Thanks Dede and Laurie,
You both offer great ways to relax and enjoy the best of the season.
by Heather — 11/10/08 at 6:43 pm #
6. Purchasing online has been such a great thing for me over the last couple years. And most places have free shipping. It’s a huge time-saver! Blessings… Polly
by Polly — 11/11/08 at 8:29 pm #
7. I take a long walk each day. This works wonders for relieving stress. It is also a wonderful way to enjoy the crisp fall air and leaves.
by Frivolitea — 11/15/08 at 5:57 pm #
8. I am looking forward to the Holiday lights being put up on the neighborhood houses. Now when I take the dog for a walk at night it will be a special treat and start to feel like Christmas coming!
It is probably the only reminder that brings a feeling of peace to my soul instead of one of panic that I still have so many things that I want to do!
Hope you have a wonderful Holiday.
Loretta
by Loretta — 11/28/08 at 7:20 pm #
9. WOW Heather Love your ideas I am going to check of a few today! Love the basket of goodies for me. then it will be easy to find and use!
I have been doing FLYLADY.net (totally free) “Crusing through the Holidays”…..she has missions and holiday journal/organizer and pretends that we are getting ready for a cruise Dec1 so that you can Cruise thru December wth you loved ones adoring and enjoying the Holidays LOVE IT! SHe is doing a PAMPERING Habit for December too …you ladies are in tune with each other!
I like to do a couple of make ahead things
like choping onions,celery and carrots then putting them in bags in the freezer so they are ready for any soups,stews or sauces or anything really
I also do a Big Generic Base for cookies then do add ins for snicker doodle, chocolate swirls etc and I do this one from Martha Stewarts
then she had 4 ways to create them
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/one-dough-four-cookies?autonomy_kw=cookie recipes&rsc=header_9
I also do from an old Martha Stewart christmas Magazine….hors d’oeuvres you freeze
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.58031cf9775720e593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=3685c6ed6c34d110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=191279802426f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=print¤tslide=1&rsc=communitytools_food&lnc=5a79cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&page=1
This give me time to play and have some creative fun with my 4 little ones!
Warmly,
Stacy~Creativemuse
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5023227
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52895107@N00/
by Stac~Creativemuse — 12/3/08 at 1:34 pm #