Stress-free holiday havens

Isn’t it funny that one definition of the word “holiday” is “vacation”? Not many of us can really find time to relax from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Yet you can have your traditional holiday fun and less stress, too. Don’t wait until January 1st to get a fresh start:

• Planning - Start your holiday tasks early. Go ahead and take a half hour now to make your list and, sure, check it twice. Marking entries off your list will give you a feeling of accomplishment…and that’s important when you’re surrounded by hustle and bustle.
• Shopping - Before you buy the first gift, make a gift list and a budget. Put the amount you intend to spend next to each name and keep to it. If you start early, ordering online will allow you to avoid crowded malls and cranky shoppers. Check sites like retailmenot.com and couponcabin.com for free-shipping and discount coupons from several online stores.
• Simplifying - Instead of buying your significant other lots of little gifts, invest in something longer lasting. Plan a weekend at a bed and breakfast. Buy a membership to the theater or the zoo, or plant a tree (either in your yard or by donating to a local parks or conservation organization). Or invest in your home: you have until December 31, 2007, to make certain home improvements that can pay off with a tax credit come April.
• Socializing - So many parties, so little time. It’s okay to say “no, thank you” to a few if you’re feeling overwhelmed. And if you’re trying to pull off another party of your own, consider putting it on hold until after the holidays. You’ll give friends and family something to look forward to.
• Traveling – Get to the airport early, packing a healthy snack and wearing slip-on shoes that will help you sail through security quicker. Once you’re checked in, take a walk through the corridors to stretch your legs.
• Relaxing - Too much sugar and spending can make even the most angelic of us cranky. Silence that “Bah, humbug!” voice with a quick workout: take a jog around the neighborhood to enjoy the holiday lights or stretch tired muscles with a light yoga workout. Curl up in front of the fireplace with a hot read: but avoid the glossy magazines…they’ll just make you feel like you need to do more to have the “perfect holiday.”

If you’re ready to switch up your holiday routine to spend less, consume less and stress less, these easy ideas and recipes will get you started.