How do you plan to conquer the stress during the coming holidays?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-17-2003, 09:47 AM

First there is Thanksgiving for us Canadians, then Halloween, then Thanksgiving for Americans, then Christmas.

What do you plan on doing to handle the stress over the next few months? Or do you plan on handling it at all?

For us, we had a quiet Thanksgiving, don't do Halloween and have a very simple Christmas. But even doing that, there at times is still stress, trying to get the older kids here all together, doing craft shows.

So ladies, I'm wondering how you de-stress during this time.

**guest2** · 10-17-2003, 12:17 PM

Avoid the Inlaws!!!

Ok, I'm only half-way serious about that (I only try to avoid half of the inlaws!).

We don't do Halloween either, so that is not even an issue. DH and I are thinking that this year we may do only one holiday with his side of the family. I'm thinking Thanksgiving with them and Christmas just for us.

Things have been a bit strained with my MIL lately and even my husband doesn't feel comfortable in thier home now. DH still wants to get away with me and the kids for Christmas if finances allow. Then in February, if everything works out, we'll go somewhere with my brother and his fiancee to go snowboarding! This year I really want a stress free and happy holiday with none of the griping, complaining and conflict that we had last year.

**aylasmommy** · 10-17-2003, 12:33 PM

Yoga, lots of yoga

But really, halloween is over before we know it, we get maybe 12 kids, and we won't really do any special outdoor decor...maybe a pumpkin...

Thanksgiving will probably be here just the three of us. I am not going to even bother baking a turkey. Dh has said he's ok with just turkey sandwhiches. I'll just make a few of our favorite dishes. Even if we have family over, it'll be just casual...play some games...watch a movie type thing.

This year Christmas is *supposed* to be us staying home. I have half of the gifts for outside family already so I just need to buy a few more.

The only thing that should stress me out this year will be doing family pictures and finally for once ---sending out christmas cards to everyone

**Guest1** · 10-17-2003, 12:54 PM

I plan to start drinking and smoking again - and the model airplane glue sniffing is looking more appealing all the time.....

We "do" halloween, but only pass out tracks and "WWJD" pencils or bracelets and such....

Thanksgiving - we're going to our SFC's house so there's a good chance I can get drunk there & avoid reality all day

- or not...but hey - at least my outlaws aren't going to visit - that's not until the week *after* Thanksgiving....yippee skippee....

The little girlies birthday is always a big thing (one on Nov 24, one of Dec 2) we combine them - this year we're having a big "jumpie thing" and about 18 to 20 6-10 year olds in addition to the Admiral & Mrs. Bush, so if anyone has any prescription narcotics I can borrow, I'd be most appreciative!

Then comes Katie's 17th birthday - on Dec 17....'nother big party - minus the jumpie thing, I think.....a lot of GW's buddies from the battery are coming over - cuz most of them are just a couple of years older than her anyway! Will is going to DJ for her "au gratis" he said - he's so nice to his sister

.....

Then it's Christmas! By that time, I'll be so drunk & stoned, I won't care what happens!

Seriously though - our parish is having a HUGE blowout and then we'll go caroling, etc.....I'm making "Wassail" for the first time ever this year & our house will be one of the stops on our carolling route - we can all hang out here for a bit, drink some wassail, eat some yummie thing that Katie bakes, and head back out to sing! I'm excited about it!!

What's everyone else doing?!?!

**guest2** · 10-17-2003, 01:02 PM

LOL! Debbie, you crack me up lady!!!! Tell the admiral and Mrs. Bush hello from me!

Just tell them I'm the daughter of a friend of the senator from Hawaii!!!!

**homesteadmamma** · 10-17-2003, 01:17 PM

Debbie (BushBrigade)

**Mom23boys** · 10-20-2003, 10:08 PM

Debbie, you make me laugh!!!

Tell Mrs. Bush and the Admiral hello from me too!

We won't be celebrating Halloween, so no stress there.

Thanksgiving will be celebrated at my mom's house with my family. We are coming home on Thursday because I like to get up early on Friday for black Friday sales. I don't know why I torture myself, but it is something I enjoy doing.

Christmas is all finished up as far as gifts go, except for the boys main gift and DH's gift. I have no clue what to get them.

I hope there isn't much stress here. I will try to make it as stress-free as possible.

**DawnM** · 10-21-2003, 10:57 AM

Halloween is a non-issue here. DD is going to a small party and DH and I are going out for dinner. Because of where we live, we only get the children of good friends of ours down the street, so I'm giving little treats to them ahead of time since we won't be home.

Thanksgiving comes on the heels of our trip to Disney.. like the day after! I should be stressed, I thought I'd be stressed ... but I'm really not. (I'm evolving! LOL) We're having family travel from Chicago to spend it with us and we'll have fun even though it'll be simple.

The stress of Christmas for us is knowing that my BIL has a brain tumor and we just don't know if this will be his last Christmas with us. So our first priority is getting up to Canada (leaving boxing day) to have a huge family get together. Also, my mom is 82 and not well, so making sure we get her down here from Canada to be with us for a week or so leading up to Christmas (have only missed one Christmas morning with her in my 46 years of life), and keeping her comfortable while she's here ... I know our time with her is precious.

So I guess keeping my focus on those two things is my answer - and realizing that all the other stuff is just not important.

Barring that ... I'll just join Debbie and get stoned! LOL That was funny!

**paelthom** · 10-21-2003, 11:08 AM

I go nuts!!!! I do not handle the stress well at all. I will be rushing at the last minute.

Halloween - help with school carnival and church party. We do not trick or treat but I made dd a costume for the carnival and church party - Biker Babe.

Thanksgiving - SO cooks the big stuff and I make a few dishes and desserts. Probably just the 3 of us. Though my brother is coming in from AZ on 11/16 and we will have a pre-Thanksgiving while he is here.

Christmas -

SO's dd and her hubby are supposed to come in. Not a good thing. There is a bit of tension there but I will try and make it as pleasant as possible. I am trying to make a bunch of gifts, quilt wall hangings is the gift this year for lots of folks if I get them done. I am in charge of the Christmas play at church too.

Come January 1 I think I will take a long nap!!!!!

**Katybird** · 10-21-2003, 01:28 PM

We are not doing anything for Halloween, we give out treats until about 9:00 PM and then turn off the porch light, close the front door and watch a movie.

For Thanksgiving, I think I am cooking this year and so it will be turkey with all the trimmings but I don't get stressed about it. I love the dinner and the cooking. My Mom, DS2 and DS1 and his SO and their precious little girl, DD, me, DH and maybe my Dad will be attending. I am going to be off the Wednesday before so I will have most of the prep work done with just the finishing up on Thursday.

I will be working on Christmas so I won't be stressing about it, I will give the gifts before Christmas and will enjoy a nice stress free day at work (I work critical care at a large hospital, I am joking about stress free there, but it is better stress than family stress, KWIM).

I will probably work on New Year's Day so it will not be anything special though. I do love the time and a half that we make for holidays though, if you have to work that extra pay is wonderful.

**slowtypinwoman** · 10-21-2003, 01:32 PM

Debbie! You are a hoot! We'll wake you from your drug induced coma in mid February, ok?
As for me I like taking a long walk with the poopies. (puppies)
They are a joy to me and i love them so much. Alex went on a family hike with me a couple of weeks ago so I'm hoping this will be another thing we can do together.
Alex and I do our Christmas baking together, and that is a great de-stresser to do with my wonderful DD. Rugging has become my theripudic past-time lately.

**Gabe** · 10-21-2003, 08:51 PM

When I was younger I used to go cross-country skiing during the christmas holidays. I would also go trapping, snow mobile, snow shoeing, build sculptures outside in ice. These activities were done with my family most of the time and other times with friends.

It still brings good memories to me.
I'm going to build an ice rink in the backyard so we can ice skate in our yard. :-) ( My dad used to do this for us)

**guest2** · 10-21-2003, 08:55 PM

Great plan Gabe! We are praying for lots of snow this year. my Hubby, Jeff, wants to just take us away from all the stress of another "extended" family holiday and just do things with our kids this year. We're going to be saving our change for snowboarding this year!