Last year, after the hectic holiday season ended, I put a note on my calendar for this October that said “holiday season 2016: attend less events, start shopping earlier.” Last year I tried to attend a lot of parties (most work related) and like every year, was doing Christmas cards three days before Christmas and struggling to get shopping done.
What I do every year is if the friend/gift recipient is someone I’m not seeing until after Christmas, I don’t kill myself to get their gifts prior to Christmas.
There are two major holiday parties that I attend that are work related and both come with a free hotel stay. This year, I’m attending only one. I like both and the one I’m missing is the one I like better, but the one I’m attending is mandatory so I’m cutting out the optional one. Also, with the overnight stay at the hotel, it screws up all of Saturday as I’m packing my bag and getting out of the house, and Sunday I’m returning home after having breakfast with coworkers and then unpacking. Two weekends screwed up! This year it’s only one weekend so the load is lightened a lot.
I have to make a list of people to buy for and start shopping asap. What I do every year is go shopping for other people and the prices are so good, I end up buying stuff for myself.
At home, I keep decor to a minimum. I buy stuff and let my daughter put it up. She’s 9. I have nice stuff but it’s all in the basement. It’s easier to buy cheap stuff, new stuff and let her get a sense of accomplishment by putting it up herself.