Hope you are having a wonderful stress-free day!
I love the holiday season and have already been doing a little holiday gathering dreaming and have a few dates on my calendar. Super fun already!
What is also super fun is that my mother has decided to come stay at my house through the holiday season as she knows I will be celebrating a bit more than perhaps my brother and sister will! 😉 She loves the holidays too!
I realize we all take on the season differently, I love the planning and entertaining while a good friend of mine, well…she gets overwhelmed and totally stressed out. Which one are you?

I thought I would share three tips to set the stage for a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday season:
• Plan Ahead: Start making your to-do lists and shopping lists now. Getting organized early can help you avoid that last-minute holiday rush.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Remember, the perfect Christmas doesn’t mean everything has to be flawless. Embrace imperfections and focus on the joy of the season.
• Self-Care: Don’t forget to take care of yourself amidst the holiday chaos. Schedule moments of relaxation and self-indulgence.
Speaking of setting the stage, I’m excited to announce that I have placed one of my favorite holiday products in the Stress-Free Christmas Bundle. Enjoy my Cookies Swap/Party planner, my printable Cookie/Swap Printable Decor pack and my The Cookie Swap Create a Christmas Tradition–One Cookie Recipe at a Time Digital Book along side of 37 more resources — planners, courses/memberships/workshops and more!

Here is the thing…great resources but this offer is only available through October 20th so act quickly on this incredible deal. Click here and get your bundle today.
Have an amazing dreaming kind of day!

I loved having cookie swaps during the Christmas season! I’ve mentioned that to some of our neighbors but seems like everyone is so busy. But in some ways, that’s a good thing! During the winter Solstice (December 21) Lia’s Sunshine Bakery has a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s, neighbors who donate $10 receive a box of her delicious cookies, brownies and fudge! Neighbor’s help with the fundraiser and also get holiday cookies without having to bake! BTW hubby and I love Christmas, we met on a blind date on Christmas day in 1965.
Martha – how sweet that you met your husband on Christmas. I actually love the fundraiser idea around Christmas! That is a lovely idea.
Excellent points, Sheryl!
I may have written a similar post myself a few years ago, but it’s always good to get reminded, especially about the expectation part.
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Thanks Tamara!
Those are great tips! And I love cookies. 🙂 Also, the holiday season is my favorite of all. I start celebrating in October, when the Hallmark channel begins their Countdown to Christmas. I agree about planning early – I have set my limits for how much I want to spend on each person’s gifts, and I have a tentative list of ideas.
You and my mother need to get together 😉! She is staying with me for the holiday and I’m planning to set up a bit early just for her.
Sheryl, you make great points! I may just start a cookie-swap tradition among certain friends! Your tips are important. I am a minimalist when it comes to Christmas decor– I have a front door wreath, a tabletop tree, some silk poinsettia blossoms, and a cheery bowl that holds green apples for the season. Easy to set up and easy to clear up. I’m still working on the ideal lighting for the little tree, however. 🙂 Merry Christmas, Sheryl!
Kebba – I keep things a bit simple myself. I have kept the decor that give me joy!
Your tips will help me enjoy this holiday season and hopefully it will help others, so I will share them with my contacts. Thanks