Ten very unscientific ways to deal with holiday stress

I posted this over at my other site, Shopping Tips Online, but I thought it would fit in well here, too.

I am not a psychologist or a doctor of any kind. I'm not a guru, yogi or guide. If you want advice about beating holiday stress from any of those types, there are articles out the snow globe all over the Internet. Have at them. Here are three I found in a matter of seconds. Take the stress out of holiday shopping. Tips offered for holiday shopping stress. 10 tips for stress-free online holiday shopping. There you go.

That being said, I have 10 very unscientific ways to deal with holiday stress. (The standard disclaimers apply.)

1. Shorten the gift list. This is not a joke. This year, buy only for the people closest to you. Give cards and a hug to the rest. You will feel like a thousand pound weight has been lifted. Don't feel guilty.

2. Admit you're human. There are only so many days, and only so many hours. If you’re not ready to admit that, check out the dark circles under your eyes and the vein popping out on your forehead. It will be okay.

3. Play A Charlie Brown Christmas – The Vince Guaraldi Trio every chance you get. It's like a sedative.

4. Have an eggnog, hot buttered rum, hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps, or the holiday drink of your choice. A little glow from the drink and a glow from the Christmas lights and all will be right with the world. (Drink in moderation.)

5. Avoid the situations you know will make you mad. I can't drive into the parking lot at the mall after Thanksgiving without feeling like I have a severe case of Tourette's syndrome. So I don't do it. There is always somewhere else I can go to get what I need. Saving a buck isn't worth feeling like the top of my head is going to come off.

6. Manage your expectations. It’s just a day. It’s an important day for many of us, but it’s still 24 hours long. Then it’s the next day.

7. Wrap every gift alike. Go with me on this. It will look like your signature wrap, and you will not have to deal with 50 of those obnoxious rolls of gift wrap and 85 shiny bows. It streamlines the process and saves you time and money.

8. Buy what you can online. This is not original, but it’s still valid.

9. Set your own limits and stick to them. Family and friends may demand a lot of your time, but don’t let them suck you in beyond what you are willing. You will end up resenting them, and resentment does not lead to holiday cheer. Refer to #6. They need to manage their own expectations, too, and you’re not responsible for that.

10. Have fun, laugh about it and repeat #3 and 4.