Stress … it can be part of family life every day of the year. But when the holiday decorations start appearing in stores and the familiar music plays on the radio, your stress (along with your waistline and the strain on your wallet) can seem to multiply. Before you consider packing up the kids and taking up a simpler life in the wilderness, consider some ways to tackle the extraordinary pressures of this time of year.

Studies show financial concerns are the biggest stressor of the holidays. There are a few things you can do to help overcome these worries and have happier holidays.  At the beginning of the season, create a folder for each holiday, listing upcoming events on separate pieces of paper. For example, in a Christmas folder have an individual sheet of paper itemizing gift wants, prices and recipients, including costs associated with foods and travel expenses (and new clothes!). This creates concrete "cost centers" that can be deleted or expanded depending on your budget. The key is, you'll feel more in control and less overwhelmed by a flood of unexpected expenses after the holiday and, with any luck, this will also help diffuse your cash flow anxieties.

Creating a holiday budget for yourself can be one of the biggest obstacles to keeping your wallet happy through the holidays.  You have to honestly assess what your financial limits are for the season, create your “spending plan,” and stick to it. If you take the time to plan your gifts and other holiday expenses instead of random and last-minute spending, you will be surprised at how much you can actually achieve while enjoying the process.

An easy way to beat the stress of holiday shopping is to schedule the days and times you'll do your shopping. This will help limit those frequent stops at the mall (and the extra spending) and will help you manage your already busy schedule. Bonus: you won't have to deal with the arguments and frustration from the “when are we going shopping?” question if the whole family is involved in the planning.

Creating a unique gift list can make your holiday shopping go smoother and can be a lot of fun, too.  Instead of fighting the mall traffic or scouring for last-minute gifts, shop online to avoid crowded stores, find unique clearances, and take advantage of Internet-only sales. Buy gift certificates or vouchers for that person whom you know appreciates them instead of taxing your brain to guess what they want. 

Shopping ideas for a tight budget and a busy schedule:

1. Gifts online or by mail. Shop on your computer in the comfort of your home or office. Many online retailers offer gift cards and gift wrapping, saving you an extra step.
2. Gift certificates. You can get gift certificates for almost everything these days. Buy them at restaurants, shops, movies or even for baby sitting.
3. Tickets. Consider buying tickets for concerts, sports events or the theater. You can purchase them online and have them sent directly to your recipients.
4. Food. Cook or bake very simple recipes for inexpensive meaningful gifts. Boxed mixes for brownies, cookies and cakes taste just as good and mean less work for you! Include a note that your recipient can freeze anything they don't want to finish now—that way your gift can keep on giving after the holiday is over (and won't result in as much weight gain!).
5.  Photographs: Go through old photos of loved ones and decoupage them onto a gift box or put a memorable one on a key chain, a card or in a nice frame for a meaningful gift. Many online services will allow you to create photo gifts and send them directly to your recipient.
6. Spa day. A great, much-appreciated gift is a spa gift. We all love a massage, reflexology, facial, manicure or pedicure. And they're especially appreciated during the hectic holiday season.
7. Flowers, coffee, sweets. Consider sending a "gift of the month" gift. Many companies specialize in gifts that will be delivered over a period of months, which can make your recipient feel appreciated well beyond the holidays.
8. Give to charity. Give a gift of money to a charity. Be thoughtful and try to choose a charity that has the most meaning to you or the recipient of the gift.  Many charities will send a card to the receiver or to you to enclose with a note.
9. Give gifts that cost no money. The best things in life are free. Give the gift of your time and yourself to those who need you. Take the kids to help clean out Grandpa's garage or help them walk your sister's dog for a week. Volunteering through a local center can also make you feel better and save you some stress.

Taking control of your holiday budget and creating a unique gift list can make your holidays go smoother, be a lot of fun and result in greater enjoyment.  Instead of fighting the mall traffic or scouring for last-minute gifts, be creative -- shop online to avoid crowded stores, find unique clearances, and take advantage of Internet-only sales. Buy gift certificates or vouchers for that person that you are sure appreciates them instead of taxing your brain to guess what they want.  Find creative ways to give gifts, enjoy a low stress season and avoid the dread of unexpected January bills.

Coined as "The Stress Queen," Dr. Kathleen Hall is the Internationally recognized expert in stress management and work-life balance. Her expert advice has been featured by all the major national media outlets, including NBC's The Today Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, Paula Zahn Now, Headline News, ABC, CBS, and NBC. She also is the award-winning author of A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness and Alter Your Life: Overbooked? Overworked? Overwhelmed?

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