Are you looking forward to the season ahead?
With shivers of anticipation? Or just shivers?
 Accept them.
Your mother's opinions on raising children are contrary to yours; you cringe when hearing your egotistical cousin; your sister's new religion sounds like a cult. Accept the family you have and let go of the perfect fantasy family you think you should have–it does not exist. You cannot change who they are but you can change your attitude towards them. Whatever you may think-don’t waste your energy in trying to change their ideas. Feel what you feel, know what you know, and set your relatives free to do the same.
Handling annoying questions.
“So when are you having kids?” or “When are you going to get a nice girlfriend/boyfriend?'” Baffle them with charm. Respond with a dismissive “Oh, who knows.” and follow with an earnest “But tell me -how have you been? And what have you've been up to?”
De-emphasize commercialism.
Prepare your kids for the types and quantity of gifts they'll be getting (translation: no PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii). Find ways to de-emphasize the commercialism for your family. Ask your kids to volunteer a portion of their gift “allowance” to buying gifts for a needy children’s home. New Generations in Diepsloot looks after abandoned and orphaned children from the age of 2 months -18 years. Call Jacky on 083 535 7931. Another children’s charity is ANIM in Alex, call Eileen 084 285 3335
"If you have much, give your wealth.
If you have little, give your heart"
Arab proverb |
 Delegate stress.
Don’t suffer in silence and then explode when your husband does not slice the turkey correctly. Let your loved ones know when you are not coping and ask for their help. When someone offers to bring dessert, say yes... No one expects you to be the silent hero.
12 Dates of Christmas
A fantastic way of re-kindling with your “significant other” this holiday season. Put your own spin on the 12 Days of Christmas. During the month of December, go out on 12 fun and inexpensive dates. From the zoo, to bowling to just staying home and hiring his/her favourite movie-use your imagination! Making time for a dozen dates this season will bring you closer together without breaking the budget.
Set deadlines.
Say, December 17 to have your shopping and wrapping all done. If you leave all your running around until the last minute, you'll miss the essence of Christmas or Hanukkah (not to mention experiencing headaches and panic attacks).
Stop saying Yes!
To keep your stress levels down during the Festive Season’s get together’s stop saying yes to everything and everyone! Don’t suffer from the disease to please. Buy Joyce Meyer’s “Approval Addiction” book to help you be more assertive. Learn to say "no" to overnight guests if your home isn't big enough or you have too much on your plate.
 Joyful tunes.
Music moves the soul and gets you in the holiday mood within seconds-get “Holiday” by Madonna. If you are travelling by car, make sure you have a collection of assorted music that will be liked by all from young to old. Buy some car, sing along compilation CD's – they fill the space with joyful energy.
Create a holiday budget.
When you see that expensive holiday gift you want to give yourself–remember you still need pay your bond in January! Make sure your kids obtain an allowance and don’t cave in when they are begging you for more money on the first day away.
Reflection.
Take time to think of your achievements during the year. Give thanks to a Higher Power for the bountiful blessings you have received. If you are a Christian, remember JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON!
 Don’t worry be happy.
Give up the perfect holiday myth. Stop worrying about things that 4 months from now you would have forgotten because they don’t really matter. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF-and it’s all small stuff. So what if he got you the green glasses when your table theme is pink? Is it really worth fighting over? Buy him a book on listening skills–he’ll get the hint.
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A fun, hands on workshop, which includes: