by Erica Michaelson

Created on: October 07, 2009   Last Updated: October 25, 2009

Are you excited about the upcoming holidays this year, or dreading them? Each year the celebrations seem to get underway sooner, cost more, and are so much work. The holidays can be a pleasant experience free of stress. Here are some helpful tips to make this holiday season the best ever!

Start with your health: With the change of seasons, we are reminded of seasonal flu. Be prepared, get a flu shot, and head it off. Eat healthy, and get plenty of rest. For more information on the flu vaccine visit : -

www.flu.gov-

Halloween:

For me the holidays start at Halloween and continue through New Years! Decorating the house is fun! Not too much really, just a pumpkin here and a skeleton there. The kids costumes are always the most to deal with, along with the school parties, and all the other activities like the haunted houses, and trick or treating. Go with your kids to the local thrift store and let them create their own costumes. It is not only fun but costs so much less, and embraces Halloween in just the right spirit! The added link is my article on how to save money at the thrift store.

-http://www.helium.com/items/1549879-thrift-stores-g oodwill-salvation-army-how-to-save-money-

Thanksgiving:

To some, thanksgiving means the Macy's parade, lots of turkey and mashed potatoes, endless football fare, and some good old pumpkin pie! To others, the holiday spells lots of cleaning, shopping, cooking and a never ending battle with the dirty dishes. Unless you are the cook, you really have nothing to complain about there. If you are lucky enough to be a guest on Thanksgiving, be a thoughtful one! Call a week ahead and ask your hosts what you can bring to add to the meal. If you are the cook, then you already know this can be one tough holiday, and you can use all the help you can get!

To make it easier on yourself, plan ahead. When you have a game plan to work off, it actually can create excitement, and a clear path to a successful, and stress free holiday. There will undoubtedly be just as much work to do, by making action steps to achieve your stress free plan, it will help you to control the flow, and keep ahead of the game. Ask for help from your guests. Most guests expect to add to the thanksgiving feast.

Clean the weekend before, so that you can just worry about cooking and last minute deep cleaning. Make your dressing and anything you can get with, ahead of time. Get it ready to just pop in the oven! Enlist the help of your kids, or hire a local teenager to help

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