NANA SAYS SHARE THE LOAD IN THIS BUSY FESTIVE SEASON

The Christmas season brings so much pressure and stress to take in as much as possible. Shopping, parties, gift wrapping, house decorating and even several parades. Dragging children-young and old around malls shopping can be reduced by leaving them at home with the other spouse or using people- like Nanas in your life. Leave them with a friend so you can reciprocate and babysit the other children to give that parent a chance to shop. Baking groups-if you still bake- make several dozens of one kind of cookies or squares and the group does the same sharing with you. These modern times bring so much online shopping. So after putting the little ones to bed, go to the computer and shop. Even this Nana has used the new way at least 3 times this season. Being on email newsletters and flyers bring the deals to your home. Not interested just delete. Decide what is really important- so planning and more planning. Most young parents I know already have those Christmas pictures done for Christmas cards! So not procrastinating really helps!
Many places have gift wrapping services for a fee and often to a charity! Advise the stressed person in your life to take advantage of this service! Back to children- create magical moments by having a home with things to touch, seasonal books to read and a creative corner. Gingerbread house kits are a fun project to do together. My house includes my big touchable items. The little breakable ones are not displayed so the house can be enjoyed by my grandchildren. Besides there is less dusting! Share the load! Family dinner and parties can be the pot luck fun! In some cultures, there has to be one superhero trying to cook for 40! Advise the person times have changed and everyone can bring a dish! Nothing worse than the huffing and puffing of the stressed cook! So make your own list of how to share the load! If the load is just too heavy then decide what is really important and put the rest aside! What are your strategies for this wonderful, festive season? Do you have a Nana in your life? Or even a grandpa or a papa to help? If not come on by and I'll help you out!