Happy Holidays Everyone! Since everyone's minds are on the holidays right now, I thought I'd share a few tips on how I conquer stress this time of year. Although it might be a bit late for this year, as they say in Chicago, there's always next year.

Relieving the stress is always a challenge to say the least. Especially when the
Christmas stuff hits the stores before Halloween is over. Between parties,
functions and shopping, not to mention a full-time job as an administrative
assistant/accountant, writer and a mother, time moves very quickly.
That's why I plan everything out way in advance.

*Christmas menu? Done. Feeding twenty people on Christmas day is always
interesting. Since my husband's family is mainly Greek, I plan the same menu
every year and start the preparations the weekend before. Greek meatballs and
spinach pie actually taste better when the ingredients have a chance to really
blend together. Try to find things you can pre-make and thaw and bake on
Christmas day. You'll have more time to spend with the family instead of
slaving away in the kitchen.

*Christmas portraits? Get them done before Thanksgiving. You'll beat the
lines and get the pictures back in plenty of time to give out as gifts. Same
thing for the Christmas cards. I ordered mine through Vista Print this year
but Walgreens does a great job of getting then done in an hour, especially
if you get them in early.

*Newsletter? I do a two page newsletter every year to keep family and friends
updated. I use the same format from year to year so it's basically cut and
paste the new information in. Enlist your kids into helping you put on the
stamps. This year I'm even e-mailing some of them out to save the postage.

*Shopping-Probably the most stressful thing. Big hint. Shop throughout the
year. When you see something on sale that you know someone you buy for
will love, get it. I have a box specifically designated for presents. This also
works for birthday presents. Especially if you have kids and Target is having
an amazing clearance. I'm pretty much done shopping by October so all I
have to do is wrap. Not only does this a huge stress reliever, you don't have
huge bills coming at you in January.

And yes, just so you know, I've accomplished everything now. Go ahead
and throw Aunt Mary's fruit cake at me. All I have to do is wrap the gifts and
enjoy the many wonderful things this season has to offer.
Make sure to stop by my group blog this month Much Cheaper Than Therapy. For readers, I've interviewed some talented authors and some of them are giving away free reads. We also have Susan Meier stopping by on December 15th to talk about Christmas. For authors, we have Tina Gerow
talking about Goal Setting on December 23rd because it's not too early to start thinking about what you want to accomplish in the new year.

On December 5, we have Cynthia Eden talking about her book Midnight Sins.

On December 12, we have Linda Andrews talking about her book The Christmas Village.

On December 19, we have Donna Hatch talking about her book The Stranger She Married.

www.muchcheaperthantherapy.blogspot.com.

Have safe, happy and healthy holidays. Until 2009….Kim Watters