Survive Christmas

CEBU, Philippines - Christmas is in the air!

Each year we excitingly anticipate Christmas. This is the moment when families all over the globe get together.

With so many things to do and so many activities to attend to such as simbang gabi, decorations, gifts, daygons, office and school programs, parties, shopping, baking and cooking and family get-togethers, how do we get everything done?

Here are some tips on how to avoid stress and headaches this Christmas:

1. Make your plans early. You smart ones did this year's shopping at last year's after-holiday sales. However, even if the rest of us don't get around to it until after November, there's still plenty time to find some great bargains.

2. Estimate your expenses. Don't start with a wish list. Instead, begin with an amount that won't put you deeply in debt. List the people for whom you need to buy gifts. Estimate costs for everything else - cards, tree, extra food, wrappings, decoration, and special holiday charitable contributions. Then total the amounts and see what's left to spend on gifts.

3. Refrain from grandiose schemes. Sure, your 16-year-old would like a computer; your 10-year-old is begging for the hottest video game system. But splurging now may mean financial problems later. Consider gifts that cost little but are much appreciated.

4. You must be organized and realistic. You have little time, money, and energy. And your daily responsibilities don't stop during holidays. So you need to budget all your resources to make it through.

5. Calendars are indispensable. Keep a large calendar handy for the whole family to use. Make sure all parties, get-togethers, programs, concerts, special church services, and the like are posted. Say no when you're heavily scheduled.

6. Help should be received, as well as given. Christmas is not just a time for you to show off, proving you're supermom or superdad. It's a time for the whole family to work together. Even little ones can put popcorn chains on the tree.

7. Shopping tips. Work from a list and stick to it, unless an item is unavailable or you find something better for the same price. If you shop from the net, make sure your selections will arrive in time. Do as much shopping in any one store and location as possible. Wear comfortable shoes. Keep your list up-to-date, marking off items when purchased. Once home, wrap, label and put everything in place as soon as possible.

8. Traditions are half the fun. Christmas is a wonderful time to keep family traditions alive: old recipes, home-baked goodies, singing around piano, videoke, and simbang gabi.

9. Savor the season. It'll so soon be past. Don't fret in what you can't do, but rejoice in what you can. Keep that focus this holiday season and everything will fall into place.

There's truly a magical feeling about Christmas that sustains our anticipation each year. It's a celebration so festive and joyous that fills our hearts with peace and happiness. And most of all, this is the time when we could give nothing but love, manifested by our gesture of celebrating the birth of Jesus, the savior of humankind.