A merry stress-free Christmas

 If so, have you done anything about that promise? Or did you forget about it soon after the words left your lips?
I believe that many people truly intend to simplify their holidays each year, but because they wait until the last minute to take action, they inevitably fall into the same old habits.
Because there is so much to do and so little time to do it all, these holiday-harried people end up going into “autopilot” and doing everything in the same old familiar way.
There simply isn’t time to try anything new or different. Although their intentions are good, without follow-through, these poor souls are destined to experience the same hectic holidays year after year.
Rather than just wishing your holidays would somehow simplify themselves, a better approach is what I call “proactive simplification.” If you truly want to simplify, it is best to take charge of your holiday way before December ever gets here.
There are many things you can do right now in the month prior to Christmas that will make for a much more pleasant holiday season in December.
If you dream each year of holidays that you can actually relax and enjoy, make your dream a reality this year by taking action.
Consider these positive steps you can take this month, to set the stage for a less hectic, more enjoyable celebration in December.
Shop before the Christmas rush. Of all the things you can do to make Christmas easier for yourself, this is probably the biggest.
There are lots of Christmas fairs where you can shop in advance, in pleasant surroundings.
Don’t wait until the stores are crowded with holiday shoppers. Ask family members for their Christmas wish lists early and get busy now.
Complete Christmas crafts. If your plan for Christmas gifting includes giving handmade gifts, plan to have them finished by the end of this month.
Work at it in the evenings, even while watching the TV, and each weekend, until you’re done.
Take care of time-consuming tasks. Writing Christmas cards, sending out a Christmas news email, wrapping gifts, boxing up presents to mail, why wait until December to attend to these time-consuming details? Knock them out now.
 Fill your freezer. Each time you cook, why not double the recipe and freeze the extra portions. During the hectic weeks before Christmas, having ‘heat-and-eat’ meals in the freezer will be a lifesaver.
Plan volunteer activities now. Does your intention of doing some kind of community service always get lost in the holiday shuffle each year?
Use this month prior to the holidays to investigate various opportunities for service and decide which ones you want to include in your Christmas season.
Plan holiday meals. Write out menus and shopping lists for dinners and get-togethers so you won’t have to think about it later.
Use this time to experiment with any new recipes you plan to use. If you usually cook the entire holiday meal yourself, simplifying for you this year may mean asking for help. Decide what components of the meal you’d like to delegate and begin recruiting helpers.
Decide what to delete. Which obligations add to your stress level each year? What activities would you rather forgo? Decide in advance how to diplomatically decline these engagements.
If your life constantly runs at high speed, you may feel overwhelmed when you read this list of ways to proactively simplify Christmas. Maybe you barely have time to complete the things you have to do each day, much less perform tasks for a holiday a month away. If you are in that predicament, let me encourage you to take things one step at a time.
Many of the tasks above can be done while you’re doing something you would normally do anyway.
Your family has to eat every day, right?
While cooking those meals, why not double your recipes while you’re at it? It really doesn’t take that much extra effort.
Do you usually spend time in front of the TV each evening? If so, why not wrap gifts, address Christmas cards or work on crafts while watch your favourite shows?
And don’t forget to include a little Christmas shopping as you run your normal errands each week. Proactive simplification is manageable when you do a little at a time and combine Christmas preparations with tasks you must do anyway.
Most importantly, don’t forget to include some ‘me-time’. This is time to escape from the busyness and recharge by focusing on you. These can be simply indulging in a candlelit bubble bath after the children are in bed or checking into the Skin Spa for some luxurious pampering. Surprising creativity and clarity of thought can come through quiet meditation in time alone.
In the holiday rush, don’t neglect your own beauty routine. As things start to get hectic, remember that your skin needs a boost as much as the rest of you.
Use Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for an instant ‘pick-me-up’ for your skin, and keep it fresh with a spritz of Expertise 3P.
Keeping up with your beauty routine and taking time out for yourself will ensure you arrive at the festive season relaxed and looking your best.

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