Summary: Sharing…Why the holidays ARE less stressful for me?<br> [Click to Listen to Podcast]<br> <br> <br> Holiday help things I found to be helpful!<br> Why the holidays ARE less stressful for me?<br> Thinking about the upcoming holidays made me realize that I’m not as stressed or overwhelmed as I used to feel in previous years.<br> And it made me wonder, “Why is that and what am I doing differently?”<br> Why ARE the holidays less stressful for me? Join us on this podcast to hear share what has really helped my family and myself.<br> <br> Holiday decorations organized.<br> OK….this one was a biggie!<br> Decorating for the holidays used to be a bit of a “dreaded chore” in our house.<br> My husband and I did not look like the couples in the Hallmark Christmas movies: All smiles and full of love working together…no, that DEFINITELY didn’t happen. There was hassle, grunts and sometimes even a few “harsh” words… not a good start for creating the beginnings of holiday festivities.<br> But, I learned with some simple, helpful tips from professional organizer, Susan Parziale (Parz-e-allie,) ways to organize holiday decorations that have made a huge difference.<br> <br> Related: <a href="https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/organization-tips-holiday-decorations/">Organization Tips For Holiday Decorations</a><br> Purchasing Gifts…<br> I also use a simplified gift formula that comes from Amanda Morin.<br> Sometimes just figuring out what to buy for everybody makes me feel overwhelmed…sometimes to the point that I don’t really function very well.<br> But I love Amanda’s suggestions for reducing the number of gifts by using a simplified gift formula for each child.<br> She calls it: Want, Need, Wear, Read. Listen to learn more.<br> <br> <a href="https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/grinch-popcorn-festive-fun-perfect-holidays/">Grinch Popcorn Recipe</a><br> For teacher’s gifts, therapist’s gifts, and for those that I want to say a special “thank you” to, I’ve always made it a point to learn to make one really delicious treat that they’re not going to get elsewhere and package it nicely using containers or gift bags from the dollar store.<br> I really can’t afford to buy everybody that helps my daughter an expensive gift, but I try to make sure that they know that we appreciate them.<br> <br> <br> <br> Related: <a href="https://magazine.parentingspecialneeds.org/publication/?i=542768&ver=html5&p=30">Stress-Free Cookie Decorating with Kids</a><br> Forced Family FUN!!<br> We also instituted “forced family fun”… I say “forced” because that’s how it started out, but now it’s become so much fun that we all look forward to it.<br> <br> <br> Links mentioned in this episode:<br> <a href="https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/organization-tips-holiday-decorations/">Organization Tips For Holiday Decorations</a><br> <a href="https://www.understood.org/en/community-events/blogs/my-parent-journey/2015/12/01/want-need-wear-read-the-holiday-gift-strategy-that-work-for-my-kids">Want Need Wear Read: The Holiday Gift Strategy</a><br> <a href="https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/grinch-popcorn-festive-fun-perfect-holidays/">Grinch Popcorn Recipe</a><br> <a href="https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/christmas-light-scavenger-hunt/">Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt Can You FInd?</a><br> <a href="https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/organization-holidays/">Organization for the Holidays!</a><br> <a href="https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/8-tips-to-prepare-your-family-members-with-special-needs-for-the-holiday-season/">8 Tips to prepare your family members with special needs for the Holiday Season?</a><br> <br>
