Time's Stress Free Christmas Tips

Ten Stress Free Christmas Tips
So - where to begin? Here are a few ideas here to help you enjoy a stress-free few weeks (as far as your Vintage Christmas is concerned in any case….)
Just a handful of tips - you’ll come up with a hundred more, I’m sure…
Take time to ponder ways to cut stress, save money and tame over-the-top traditions. Setting simplicity strategies in place early on will keep you from being swept up in the holiday madness.
So, here are ten Time After Time Tips that could help… (please don’t read any further if you are of a romantic and nostalgic disposition…)
1.) Prune the to-do list. Ask, “If I don’t do this, what will happen?” Aim to knock down the list of chores to the rock-bottom necessity.
2.) Cut the gift list. Rein in gift exchanges that have been outgrown or lost their meaning. Limit gifts to children only, draw names, or organise a Secret Santa gift exchange.
3.) Wrap as you go. Who needs to spend Christmas Eve catching up on wrapping chores? Sticky notes will help you keep track of gift contents.
4.) Buy, don’t bake. Turn your back on the oven this year. Supermarkets, bakeries and the freezer department of the discount warehouse are a great source for delicious, pre-baked holiday treats.
5.) Reach out and touch someone with recycled or hand-made cards (we have some beauties at Time After TIme) Online greeting cards are a good last minute alternative - easy, inexpensive and fun to send!
6.) Scale back your decorations. Substitute a simple door wreath for outdoor lighting, a tabletop tree for the over-the-top tannenbaum. Focusing you holiday decorations on the Big Three - front door, tree and focal point - can bring a festive feel to the house without day-long decorating sessions.
7.) Cut the clean-a-thon. Focus cleaning attention on kitchen and public rooms; private areas can slide til season’s end. Better to schedule deep-cleaning chores like carpet cleaning until after the wear-and-tear of the holiday season.
8.) Downsize dishwashing. Hand-washing fine china is nobody’s idea of a good time, so move to everyday stoneware. Simpler still: paper plates!
9.) Finger food, not feast. A smorgasboard of tasty tidbits is easier on the cook and kinder to the waistline than a sit-down dinner. Share the work by hosting pot-luck events.
10.) Stay home! Cuddling down close to that open hearth beats holiday travel any day. A holiday "stay-cation" allows for evening drives to see the lights, family camp-outs in front of the Christmas tree, and evenings spent with carols and popcorn. Have FUN!