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Ready or Not, Here They Come
Preparing Yourself and Your Home for the Holidays By Beth Skarupa
Unrealistic expectations can add to the stress of the holidays. Don't expect to be Superwoman.
Sheila Knight, a mother of two in Madison, Ala., admits to staying up all night one year making 20 Christmas goodie bags filled with homemade cookies, candies and snacks. "I always have these grand ideas of making special holiday meals and Christmas cookies, but once I get into it, I end up thinking, 'Whatever made me think I could do all this?'" she says. Learning not to put pressure on herself and delegating some duties to her husband, like shopping for teacher gifts, has made her holidays less stressful.
To keep your house tidy, Sandy Robinson, former Maid of the Year for Maids International, suggests cleaning daily and keeping on top of clutter. "Just getting the clutter out makes such a difference – you can breathe better when you clear the countertops, recycle magazines and newspapers and throw away the junk mail," she says. "Organize your refrigerator, pantry and clean up the kitchen so you can decorate and show off your baked goods."
What about cleaning for those overnight guests or your big holiday party? "Prioritize. That's what I do," says Robinson. "I think, 'Where is my company going to be?' I don't worry about my daughter's room or the laundry room. I work on the guest bedroom and the hall bathroom. Concentrate on the areas that need immediate attention."
Most of all, remember what's most important about the holiday: spending time with your family and friends. "I want people to realize they don't have to stay up until 4 a.m. on Christmas Eve stringing together a racetrack," Flylady says. "The main thing is your children need you. They're not going to remember how many toys were in front of the tree – they're going to remember the time they spent with you."
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