by Valerie Gawthrop

Created on: December 07, 2009

Remember the reason for the season. Christmas isn't meant to set our teeth on edge and push us to the limits of our sanity. Jingle bells should be jangling, not our nerves. Christmas is a time for celebration and sharing not stressing. Follow these tips to take the pressure off your holiday.

Don't overspend.

Forget straining the budget on gifts that no one really wants. Make a list and trim it to the bare essentials. Give from the heart and that means cutting out gifts that aren't heartfelt. Look twice at those names you feel you have to buy a gift for. This year you might want to give close business associates a keepsake tin of homemade fudge instead of an expensive paperweight for their desk. Buy nice cards and write sincere messages inside for those you're dropping from your gift list.

Don't over commit.

Too many parties and not enough time? Learn to say no. Accept the invitations to events you'll enjoy and decline those you feel are an obligation. Does the number of school activities for your children leave your head spinning? Decide what you can do without overextending yourself and let another mother pick up the slack. Remember, you don't have to do everything. The daycare will get decorated without your help. Don't be a one-person volunteer squad.

Don't have unreasonable expectations.

Forget Norman Rockwell and Martha Stewart. Christmas doesn't have to resemble something off a Hallmark card. Not everyone can have white, fluffy snow and a wisp of smoke curling from a chimney while the family gathers around the fireplace toasting marshmallows. In fact, no one has a Christmas like that. Real snow is cold and icy. Peace and happiness comes from the heart, not a skewed sense of perfection.

Don't neglect your health.

Holidays are filled with too much junk food and alcohol and too little sleep. Watch what you eat and drink and make sure you get plenty of Z's in order to eliminate stress from the hectic Christmas routine. Step up your exercise program. Not only will exercise help work off the empty calories from Christmas goodies, the endorphins are real stress busters.

Don't go it alone.

There are lots of people who are alone at Christmas. This is a time of year when suicide rates climb. If you're fighting depression this year seek out others who need friendship as well. Volunteer at homeless shelters and invite acquaintances who can't go home for the holidays to share Christmas with you. If you can't make yourself interact with others, seek professional help. If you know someone who is alone and might be experiencing stress and depression, reach out and include them in your celebration if possible.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Forget the stressful details and trivia surrounding the holidays and remember the true blessings of Christmas.

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