As we enter the last week of December, this is your reminder that you don’t have to spend every second of the next few days making magic for everyone else. Sit down, have some ‘nog, and breathe. Allow yourself to enjoy, because you deserve it as much as your family. The magic makers often go unseen as they take on the holiday stress for everyone else. Allow yourself to cut some corners. It will lighten your load, and these easy tips also happen to be waste free.

Holiday Stress #1 - Those Constant Runs to the Store

When you run out of paper with one present to go, it can be insanely frustrating. How are you supposed to get to the store to buy that shiny gift wrap with little ones under foot?

The Solution - Use What You Already Have

Don’t run out to the store for a fresh roll of wrapping paper or adhesive tags. Use what you have. Reuse newspaper for wrapping gifts and cut old cards to make new tags. We just write names on gifts in sharpie. Use blankets (or your XL Lifesaver Mat) to wrap/cover big gifts, or reusable bags you already have. Your wallet and the environment will thank you. And added bonus, its a time saver too. No fiddling with tape and perfect corners. Cover/zip and call it quits.

Holiday Stress #2 - I Can’t Make Memories, I Have to Make a Turkey

While everyone has fond memories of mom’s perfect stuffing and sugar cookies, I guarantee most of us would rather be sipping coffee and watching our kids enjoy the day.

The Solution - Prep Your Food Beforehand & Plan to Eat Leftovers

Food waste is surprisingly harmful to the environment. Food left to rot wrapped in plastic garbage bags instead of naturally composting creates harmful gasses instead of nutrient rich soil.

Plus there is all the wasted resources in production and distribution. Prepare food beforehand (leftover turkey is everyone's favorite anyways) and don’t plan to eat anything else for 3 days. It is better to get a little sick of turkey by the 28th than throw out half a bird in the new year. Don’t forget to repurpose leftovers as soup. Pack your crackers in a bite bag and you’re good to go.

Also, I don’t know about you but I always end up with too many oranges. I’m focusing on buying less and using them in homemade cleaners/decor for this holiday season.

Holiday Stress #3 - Sensory Overload and All Those New Toys

On top of all holiday stress of making magic, I now also have to deal with an overflow of new, noisy toys. They will give me a headache for a week then end up lost, broken, or abandoned.

The Solution - If you can, give to charity or give experience gifts

With so much stuff and consumerism, it is easy to feel like your house has turned into plastic mountain on Christmas morning, especially for parents. Consider a gift in your loved one’s name to a charity they’d love, instead of the cute knickknack. Or, give the gift of memories with experiences instead of toys. We always say, please don’t buy it if you don’t need it.

How do you manage holiday stress? Let us know in the comments below!