With parties, gift-giving, and a flurry of other preparations to occupy parents, kids, and single parents, the holiday season has also become a race for survival of sorts.
But smart parents and single parents do not–and should not– let themselves be stressed by all this the preoccupation with Christmas. To make it to December 25 without so much as a sweat, and be able to enjoy the holiday break as much as anyone, here are some tips for
Make a Christmas to-do list
There’s no better tool to keep track of a parent’s progress with Christmas planning than an organized list. Parents and single parents must list activities and items to buy in separate sheets of paper with proper labels. Weekends are the best time to do this because parents or single parents do not have work matters to attend to, plus they’d have their kids to ask for some nitty-gritty details.
Do your Christmas shopping early
Parents must not let themselves get caught with the Christmas rush–last minute shopping on a Friday after work barely a week before the 25th, or worse, frantically squeezing in some Christmas shopping during lunch break! They must follow their list religiously so they don’t miss out on essentials. Parents must make gift items and non-perishable food products first on their list; and buy perishable goods days before Christmas to guarantee freshness.
Scour the web for bazaars, special promos, etc.
Christmas bazaars will be rife as early as November. Search the Internet for bazaar schedules and other sales. Aside from relatively cheaper finds, bazaars also offer the convenience of a one-stop shop, offering a wide array of products from Christmas decor to clothes to pastries.
Ask your family for help
Parents and single parents don’t have to do it alone. Especially because it’s Christmas, they can count on their kids to be more enthusiastic at decorating the Christmas tree or lending their help in whatever little task there is at hand. Parents and single parents could delegate their children to clean their respective rooms, for instance, as is custom in many families.
Opt for family favorites for Christmas Eve dinner
Parents , most especially single parents, must not overwork themselves trying to figure out complicated dishes that are beyond their skill or time. Simple family favorites will do just as well, or even better, especially with giddy children eager for Christmas dinner in the household. Parents, kids and other family members could help each other decide which dishes would best be on the Christmas table. It’s best for parents to discuss this with their family early enough so they don’t end up buying unnecessary ingredients in the supermarket.
