29 Secrets

While Andy Williams (and every other singer who’s covered that particular gem) would have us believe that Christmas is the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, most of us sing a bit of a different tune. Between catching up on work, getting the Christmas shopping done and RSVP-ing to the necessary parties, the holidays can become the definition of stress. So to prevent you from having that annual holiday meltdown, here our tips on how to make it through the most magically stressful time of year.

Tip #1: Make A List 
There’s a reason Santa’s attached to that mile-long list, and that’s because getting organized will save you from over-spending, over-shopping and over-analyzing. By writing down who you need to shop for, what you need to purchase and what you’re expected to cook or bring, you’ll be able to both physically recognize your tasks and cross them off when you’re finished. Not to mention you won’t be risking the last-minute shopping spree after forgetting presents or pot luck items.

Tip #2: Designate Per Day
It’s easy to reserve the weekend for your running around, but by the time Friday hits, the last thing you’ll want is to look forward to 48 hours of holiday madness. Like tackling papers or large office projects, divvy your Christmas errands into small parts: on Monday, stop at the LCBO on your way home from work, while on Wednesday, pick up the gift cards you’ve been meaning to grab. They may seem like menial tasks at the time, but you’ll be surprised at the relief you’ll feel after realizing you won’t have to do them this weekend – or with five minutes till close on Christmas Eve.

Tip #3: Accept Imperfection
Try as you might, you can’t please everybody. And to help keep your sanity this holiday season, the easiest thing to remember is that you may need to decline invitations, compromise or pass the buck. Invited to an obscene number of holiday parties? Pick a few, and send apologies to the rest. Overwhelmed with a growing to-do list? Ask a family member or a friend for help. Realized you volunteered to do too much? See where you can delegate, or what you can take shortcuts with. After all, buffet trays exist for a reason: not everyone has time to make homemade cookies.

Tip #4: Avoid the Fight
Considering Christmas is the time to see anybody and everybody, odds are that you’re going to run into a few people you’re not particularly close with or might not even like. But if your great aunt starts going on about why “women your age” shouldn’t be single? Let it pass. There’s a time to argue, and a time to sip egg nog. And when it comes to family dynamics and mixing personalities, sometimes the easiest way to avoid a meltdown is to remember that – as Clark Griswald once said – family is what Christmas is all about. (And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.)