We are full swing into the holiday season; the stores are decorated, the holiday commercials have started and the Christmas music is right around the corner. With so much going on, it can be difficult to enjoy this special time. This is when our clients really stress out and spin out of control. Here are a few solutions to simplify your holidays:
- Let go of homemade gifts. Now, if you love making homemade gifts, then go for it. Skip to the next tip. But for me, and many others, homemade gifts are more expensive and time consuming than anything else. One year, I made basil flavored olive oil for my co-workers. It was a nightmare and would have been much easier to grab one at Granville Island.
- Let guests pitch in. Who said you had to do it all? If you are having a dinner party, let your guests help out. Let them bring the sides, desserts or appetizers. Having just one less thing on your plate can make a huge difference.
- Purchase host gifts now for all your holiday events. When you go to sommeone’s house, you take a little something with you as a thank-you. Plan ahead and purchase host gifts now; chocolates, a bottle of wine, roasted nuts and a fun (and inexpensive) game make great host gifts.
- Have a wrapping night. This is one of my favorite family traditions. Our wrapping night would be during the Children’s Hospital Telethon. We would watch it, listen to the stories about the inspiring children and be so excited when a donation came in. (Of course, we made one too)
- Delegate to the family. There is so much to do. Cooking, cleaning, decorating, dishes, chopping, shopping, taking out the garbage, etc. The holidays are like any other times of year; get the family involved. Delegate to your family and ask for everyone to contribute to a more simplified season.
This year, instead of wishing December away, help your clients with a few of our suggestions and make this the most simplified and festive holiday season ever.
For tips on how to achieve more with less, purchase our Do More in Less Time audio recording with guest expert Jay Kimball. View more of our teleclasses here.
