We asked our writers and staff for their tips on how to have a stress-free holiday season. The tips mostly came in two categories: Gift Giving and Decorating and Wrapping. We hope you enjoy these stress-relieving ideas from the POP Staff!

Shopping and Spending

In the months before Christmas while you’re shopping for other things, keep in mind those on your list. If you see something that “would be just the thing,” buy it, label it and stash it away from little prying people. During the year, keep your eyes and ears open for useful items thatthose on your list might need—a serving platter, large dish, perhaps a new coffee pot. When you see one on sale, buy it and stash it away. Sometimes spreading out the spending makes it easier on the budget and on your stress level. —Barbara Fischer, POP Writer

Plan on what you can spend and stick to it. It’s that last week before the holiday when you think, “Did I get enough? Did I do enough?” and then bang! Your credit card gets overloaded because you’ve purchased extra things in a last minute panic. Come January, the bills knock yoursocks off. Now I write my gift list, stick to it and use the mantra, “I have everything I need.” Then I try to believe it. —Tory Hartmann, Managing Editor

During the year I’ve been buying and saving Groupons for family members. —Hilary McCarty, An Apple from the Teacher

Give gifts of time—and then you can spread the gift over the year. For example, “I will help you organize your closet (or cupboards, kitchen, whatever) anytime between February and July.” or ”My help in planting a bed of annuals. April? May? June?” ”I’ll teach you how to make my mother’s favorite __________ (fill in the blank) that you like so much.” Or creating a mini-vegetable bed by bringing the plant starts and your work clothes. The good thing about all of these is that they can be postponed until AFTER the holidays, when friends actually want to dothem! — Caryn Huberman Yacowitz, Book and Music Reviewer

We have streamlined our gift list and now draw names. This has been a great relief for all of us. No more stress over what to get the aunts, uncles and in-laws. At another of our family holiday parties, we buy gifts for $25 and play the “present game” where you can “steal” a gift fromsomeone, then the person without gets to choose another gift. (Don’t do this with little ones or you’re sure to see some tear-streaked faces.) But the game can be hilarious. Who knew that Beers of the World or a lava lamp would be so popular? —Tory Hartmann, Managing Editor

Once we had kids, my sister and I agreed to only buy holiday gifts for each other’s kids and not for each other. I have three nephews; to avoid any fights, I always buy them all the exact same thing for the holidays. As they don’t live near me and are now in their 20s, they all get gift cards. Much easier to mail! 

— Amy Shulman, Copy Editor

Make food gifts for friends—candied pecans or chocolate covered peanuts. By making a huge batch and putting them in nice little gift bags (cellophane with ribbons), this can be the perfect gift for many, many folks on anyone’s list—and you don’t have to worry they won’t like it! Those pecans and peanut clusters are the very best gift ever to receive. Also, children can be involved in creating these.

—Caryn Huberman Yacowitz, Book and Music Reviewer

Decorating and Wrapping

Hello Dollar Store! For a minimal amount I can get many holiday decorations and not feel guilty if they break or if I want to give them away/toss them. (I hate wrapping them up individually and putting them in boxes. I don’t have the time or the storage space.) Dollar Stores have great selections nowadays and you can even give a few bucks to the kids to pick things out so they are excited to help as well. This way, I get the whole family involved and save time, money, guilt and space. It can’t get any better than that! —Hilary McCarty, An Apple from the Teacher

During the season, buy gifts, especially kids’ gifts, at places that gift wrap for free, like Talbots.

—Barbara Fischer, POP Writer

I wrap presents in bags now. Sure beats cutting and wrapping and stressing over what color ribbon to use. I also make my own gift cards using bits of wrapping paper. For thin paper, paste it down on a 3 x 5 card. For a neat professional look, score the card before you fold it. Holepunch in the upper left corner and put some thin ribbon or string through. Better yet, have the kids make the gift cards! —Joanne Bracco, Publisher

Use pinking shears to cut out holiday gift cards from saved wrapping paper—instantly makes them look fancy.

—Caryn Huberman Yacowitz, Book and Music Reviewer

Mommy Brain has three ideas for us. . . .

1. Set the table the day before. One less thing to do the day guests are coming over is always helpful.

2. When guests offer to help, say YES! Have a list of tasks already in mind.

3. Put your kids to work. Have them put the stamps on your holiday cards, make place cards for your table or wrap presents. It makes them feel part of the celebration.

—Kirsten Patel, Mommy Brain

And perhaps this is the best one of all....

Avoid some stress—Say yes only to the commitments that are fun and MAKE YOU HAPPY. Politely decline the rest!

—Carol Raisner, Sales Manager