Preparing for the Holidays

By Melissa Melcombe, Christian Post Guest Columnist Monday, October 12, 2009

Once Halloween passes us by, we all know that Christmas decorations will fill the shelves and Santa will start to appear in our local mall for pictures. Though Christmas (and Halloween, AND Thanksgiving) are all fantastic holidays filled with family, there is no denying that they can be a little stressful. This year, though, make it your goal to take in every moment, enjoy your family and the delicious food on your table. With so many people going through tough times, it's important to not sweat the small stuff. However you choose to spend your holidays, remember that they only come once a year; enjoy them!

In order to reduce stress this holiday season:
-Try to meditate for at least 5-10 minutes every day (especially if you are having a lot of family over!).
-Don't go overboard if you don't have to; if you feel overwhelmed with all of the cooking, just make the main dish and have your guests bring the rest.
- Stay away from foods high in sugar and fat -they will make your blood sugar go crazy. Save special foods for the actual holiday meal and try to eat as healthy as possible at all other times.
-Make sure to devote time to yourself by taking a walk, going to dinner with a friend, or getting out to the spa.

Be prepared:
-Decide in advance what you will be making for your holiday meals. This will avoid multiple trips to the grocery store.
- Find out in advance if any of your guests have specific eating restrictions (ie: vegetarian or allergic to a certain food). This way you will know if you need to make or buy anything special so that all of your guests are fed.

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Try something new:
-Try a new recipe; get your kids involved by asking them to pick a special dish they would like to help prepare.
-If you normally have a formal holiday meal, try something a little more informal and fun to get everyone involved.
- Deliver food to a family in need. Whether you go to a homeless shelter or bring food to a neighbor going through a tough time, your efforts will be greatly appreciated.