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Less Stress Holiday Guide

© Peggy Hoehne

The time from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day can be hard for many of us. Whether we have little time to devote to entertaining, are short of cash for giving holiday meals that extra pizzazz, or we would just prefer to curl up in front of a fire with a good friend instead of playing hostess to a large gathering; there are ways to make it simpler.

If you are like me the biggest stress is getting the house ready for company. A visit to the FlyLady will help you in that area. Whether you are in need of Crisis Cleaning 101 or have the time to start with Flying Lessons, the FlyLady can teach you how to avoid CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome).

Follow her easy lessons for house cleaning and organizing and before you know it your family will think they have come home to the wrong house. I hate it when the kids come home from school, take one look at a clean house and ask, "Who's coming?" With the FlyLady's help it can look that way everyday, even when no one is coming over.

Once you are on your way to getting the house presentable the next thing to think about is making entertaining your guests as simple as possible. A visit to Easy-does-it Entertaining will help you get your priorities straight.

Who are you inviting over? If your guests put you on edge maybe you need to invite people you can be yourself around. You don't need to plan elaborate menus. Your friends are more likely to enjoy your special spaghetti than a fancy gourmet meal.

The next links were written for those making transitions following a divorce but there are some great ideas for any of us needing to spend less and connect with real friends more. There are ideas for simple entertaining that cost very little. If your family is not going to be with you this year have an "extended family" party with others who don't have specific plans. Both Easy Holiday Entertaining and Starting New Holiday Traditions After A Divorce offer ideas to make the holidays simpler and easier.

What most of the sources agree on is to: a) Plan and prepare ahead b) Keep food and decorating simple and c) Have fun. We do not have to become Martha Stewart for our friends and relatives to enjoy our home, our food and our company. Arrange this years Thanksgiving and other holidays so that you can relax more and enjoy being with your company.

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