The weather outside isn't frightful, in fact it's downright warm, though rainy.

Holiday tips from the papertiger
a site dedicated to helping those hopeless folks (come on let's all carol together, we know we are) who struggle to even begin to think about being organized.

Take a pad of paper and a pen, and get away from the
normal chaos (e.g., Starbucks, a bookstore, or your car?) 

Hmmm. . .my car is one of the sources of my chaos.  Our 
local coffee shop All Saints
is a place that makes me what to clean up while I'm there.
Take a hint,guys, over the university break, a little
housecleaning should be in order.

If you prefer, forget the pen and paper, and just go for a 
walk. Take a few deep breaths, inhale slowly for the count 
of two and exhale for the count of four. 

Recall the best parts of past Holiday Seasons. What made them so great?
How can you recreate the experience? For example, if you enjoyed watching your
young children open presents, and you don't have children at home anymore,
consider spending some time with children whose parents can't afford presents!

Create in your mind your best Holiday Season for this year.  How would you feel? 

What would you do? (If you can't do that now, what's something new you?ve never 

done before that might be fun? ) How would you celebrate? (Enjoy some time 

alone, or throw a big party?) What would you smell? Who would be there? (If 

they can't be there, who could fill the void?)

Before you go back to work, consider these tips to minimize your stress and 

maximize the meaning this holiday season:

   1. Focus on the reason you celebrate the season. 

   2. Tamper with tradition. Dragging yourself through "we've always done it" 

rituals when they've lost their meaning, and you've lost your energy, does not 

contribute to holiday joy.

   3. Ask your family what would make the holiday special to them. I'll never 

forget the answer my 11-year-old son gave when I asked him that question years 

ago: I want to work at a homeless shelter on Christmas morning. I was stunned 

and it was the best gift of the season.

   4. Avoid perfectionism in gift-giving. It's the thought that counts. Choose a 

theme for Christmas, such as books, which can be purchased at one time in one 

place, or choose a gift that can be used for several people such as a painting 

of a favorite artist.

   5. Give the gift of your time. If your cash-strapped, or even if your not, 

the best gift you can give someone may be your time. A friend gave her elderly 

aunt a supper of soup one night a month for the upcoming year. It went so 

well, she's repeating it this year.

   6. Share the work. Have a potluck meal and let your guests chip in. 

Purchase some dishes from your local grocer or deli. A stressed host or hostess 

can spoil any holiday celebration.

   7. Focus your energy. If your family isn't as excited as you are about 

decorating the whole house, invest your efforts on what means the most to you 

and skip the rest for this year.

   8. If the holidays bring pain because of death, divorce, or family far away, 

be gentle with yourself. Recognize that grief is a healthy and necessary. 

Concentrate on making other people's holiday more joyful.

   9. Take time out from total togetherness. Let your child call a friend and 

take a nap. Give your siblings the car keys and a map. The idea is for everyone 

to enjoy the occasion.

  10. Be clear about expectations. If you never tell your family what you want 

them to do, it's unfair to expect them to know.

  11. Look over your list, leave off what you can live without. There's always 

next year!

Merry Christmas!

Barbara Hemphill  

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