Silver Back Muzik

Whether you like it or not, if the calendar says it's November and you want a stress-free holiday, it is time to take a little time for planning. Stake out a twenty minute time slot, grab an empty notepad and pen, and sit down with nothing in mind but your plans for the holidays. More than likely, any one or all of the following can stress you out, so let's plan:

• Travel
• Decorations
• Food
• Gifts
• Wrapping

Now you might want to get in the holiday mood by putting out a pretty, holiday-scented candle. Then, instead of thinking about decorating as a tedious, time consuming task, consider putting up just two or three decorations per day. Your home will look festive, and you'll be less strung out about it and ready to tackle the other fun stuff.

Next, think about the where you will be celebrating:

• Are you travelling to someone else's home or will you be at your home? If you haven't made plane, hotel and car reservations, do it as soon as you finish this list. Ask for the lowest rate, or the clerk probably won't give it to you. I used to work for a major hotel chain, and was only allowed to give lower rates when specifically asked.


• Next, if you are cooking the meals, take some of that stress away by planning now what meals you will cook, and how much you will need. As you go to the store each week, pick up a few of the imperishable items such as canned goods, stuffing, and frozen foods you have room for in your freezer.


• Take a few minutes and think about each person. What do they like to do? Look online for ideas. Sign up to get a few stores' emails so you can get some discounts sent to you. Sometimes you can even get free shipping right up to the week of the holiday.


• Finally, do you ever get to Christmas Eve and you have all the gifts ready to wrap, the stores are closed, then you discover you don't have enough wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, or name tags? Solve that problem now, and pick up a couple rolls of tape and start stocking up on cute wrapping paper. There's even a wrapping paper and card company that has excellent quality wrapping paper that can't be seen through and doesn't rip really easily as you are wrapping something.

Holidays can be so much more enjoyable when you have things planned ahead of time. This year, decide to enjoy the music, the smells and the people. Make a good memory this year. Make notes this year about what went right and what went wrong, and start planning for next year. Your stress and anxiety will be a thing of the past, and your family will enjoy you more too!