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3.) Wrap as you go.  Don’t put all of your wrapping off until the last minute.  As you pick things up, go ahead and wrap them as soon as you get a chance.  Wrap a couple extras for a guest who shows up unexpectedly and gives you a gift.  It helps to have a dedicated wrapping area cornered off that is well-stocked with all the essentials -- wrapping paper, scissors, gift tags, tape, etc.  The easier you make it for yourself, the more likely you are to get it done.

4.) Simplify, simplify.  No matter how cool your friends and family might play it, you are NOT the only one who gets stressed out around the holidays.  If the stress of preparations is getting out of hand, don’t be afraid to propose a simplified pot-luck dinner instead of a more elaborate affair or a gift exchange instead of shopping for everyone individually.  Even if you just try this approach with a small group of friends or extended family, it’ll be at least a small relief for everyone involved.  When it comes to reducing you holiday workload, every little bit helps.

5.) Make friends with the Internet.  More and more shoppers are finally taking the plunge and skipping the traditional brick-and-mortar stores completely.  Internet shopping has come a long way in the last few years and you might be surprised at how simple it has gotten.  You can easily compare prices and can generally find good deals on shipping that will guarantee arrival in plenty of time for the big day.

6.) Play your cards right.  Many people take one look at that mound of Christmas cards and can suddenly think of three or four other things that require their immediate attention.  We love getting cards but hate the prospect of doing ours.  So we procrastinate until December 22 and pull another 2 a.m. shift to get them in the mail by Christmas.  So, I look at my cards as a process. 

Breaking the project down into smaller pieces makes it seem more manageable.  You can even begin now!  The first thing I do is create the labels.   Second, I stick them on the envelopes with a return address label and stamp. Next, I write the family newsletter and get it copied onto the special paper.  Finally, I set up an assembly line:  (a) add a salutation to the card, such as “Dearest X Family,” (b) sign our names, (c) enclose the newsletter and a picture, and (d) seal the envelope with a sticker.  No licking for me!  If you prefer to hand-write your cards, the trick is to write five each day, starting the day after Thanksgiving.  Take some with you wherever you go, in case you find some free time: at the doctor’s office, waiting for a meeting to begin, or picking your child up from a lesson.