The holiday season is supposed to be one of the most enjoyable times of the year. But, a single parent with an overloaded schedule can find the added obligations of the season to be a struggle. The tips below will help you to get the merry back in your Christmas.
Decorating
You can have a gorgeous tree without as much work. Using a prelit tree will save you loads of time, and you don’t have to worry about your kids or pets yanking down strands of lights. Although not fragrant like a real tree, artificial trees are a great deal less work and cost. If you miss the tree aroma, get a real evergreen wreath or branches for a decorative arrangement. Tinsel and garland can get very messy, so you may want to not use them. You will be able to see your decorations better, as well. When you store ornaments, keep the hooks in them so you don’t have to put hooks in all of them next year. If you have the space and an artificial tree, you might store the tree completely decorated. Also, keep your breakables behind closed doors or in high places so you don’t run a risk of having pets and kids ruining them or spend your time continuously chasing them away. Ditto for the tree if feasible. Light nets are a fast way to put lights outside. Hanging lights off of roofs and other high places can be consume a lot of time. A lighted decoration such as a reindeer could be another way to easily add some cheer.
Cards
Addressing envelopes, writing a personal note to everyone, and stuffing cards can be major work. If people on your list use email, look at sending digital cards. Though writing to everyone can be appreciated by the recipients, you may want to write only one ‘newsletter’ and print out a copy for everyone. If you have the dollars, cards that are preprinted with your names can keep you from signing a pile of cards.
Gifts
Shopping can be a major effort. One idea to simplify this task is to buy the same category of gift for everyone on your list. For example, you could get a different DVD for each person. Or, you could create a basket for everyone with a variety of coffees. Try to restrict your shopping to a single store. You could get everything you need at Best Buy or Target if you plan your list carefully. This will eliminate frantically driving from store to store and standing in long lines to just buy one item. Internet shopping is another big timesaver, but make certain that you leave time for shipping. When you have to wrap gifts, use one color of wrapping paper for each individual so that you don’t have to wrtie out and attach nametags.
Baking
You might recollect large trays of an assortment of cookies from your childhood. Perhaps you don’t have a whole day or more available to dedicate to baking. You could reduce this task by only baking your favorite cookie or two. Then, buy other cookies to fill out the selection. Bakeries oftentimes have better cookies than you will be able to get at the grocery store. You may find that nobody misses all of that baking as long as they have their favorites!
Prepare ahead
Go to those after holidays sales and get any needed decorations, hooks, cards, or other items for next year. You probably have more time in your schedule during January to do this rather than next December, and the prices are more attractive, too. Plus, you won’t be scrambling to make last minute purchases in holiday traffic and crowds.
Delegate
You do not have to do everything in order for your family to have happy holidays. Your children can probably be recruited to help decorate. If they are old enough, let them help with preparations including addressing envelopes or even baking.
These tips should help you, the busy single parent, save time and have an even merrier Christmas.