I used to get a thrill out of checking things off my long holiday to do list, expertly navigating the crowd of holidays shoppers and being amongst the hustle and bustle. Nowadays, the same things which brought me joy seem to stress me out. Over the past few years I have figured out the best ways to combat my impending feelings of holiday stress while still making the most of the holiday season:

1. Limit expectations of myself. Some years I am going to send out Christmas cards, decorate a beautiful Christmas tree, make dozens of Christmas cookies, deliver treats to all my neighbors and do something festive each and every day in December. Other years, I am going to make mini wreaths, make very few cookies and leave most of my Christmas decorations in their box.

Over the years, I have learned there is nothing worse than simply going through the motions just because you feel obligated to. This holiday season I will spend my time only doing what brings me joy and gets me excited. One of my favorite traditions is to make a beautiful fresh wreath while sipping cider on a chilly Winter afternoon at my local nursery. Another key I have found to feeling rested and happy during the holidays is to limit the things I say "yes" to during the month of December.

2. Give family gifts. Between siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, friend's children etc. it adds up to a whole lot of time and money to procure thoughtful gifts for each person you know and love. Instead, we have gotten in the habit of giving family gifts when possible. Some of my favorite things to give are museum memberships (the gift which keeps giving) or all the fixings for a festive breakfast (think hot cocoa, pancake mix, syrup etc.)

Another thing I try to do is skip the horrendous lines at the post office and utilize free shipping whenever I can. I also try to collect addresses early on so I am not frantically searching for someone's address I know I wrote down on a scrap of paper few months ago. It would be an enormous time saver if I would just use an address book. Maybe this is the year to reinstate one.

3. Don't make gift giving your focus of the season. The reason I celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas is not to give gifts. It is easy to get sucked into big sales and long lists, but the years I have focused on what truly matters makes for a lovelier holiday season for me and everyone around me. Attending performances of the Messiah or other live performances has always been a boost to my holiday season.

4. Throw an early holiday party. I love to entertain and for the past few years I have thrown a Pie Party at the beginning of December. By hosting a party at the beginning of December I am motivated to decorate early, I am not competing with the dozens of other parties going on throughout the month and is a festive start to my holiday season.

5. Take a vacation. Each year we have done it a little differently, but it has been really nice to go away for a little rest and relaxation either before, during or after Christmas. It is a nice way to recharge and have time to look ahead to the new year. Usually, we go on trips to more remote places in the mountains and spend our days snowshoeing, going on sleigh rides and most importantly enjoying the beauty around us.