Getting ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be a mad scramble – unless, of course, you want it to be!
If you feel better jamming all your to-do’s into one or two days and thrive on the stress, be our guest!
If you want to enjoy the holidays more, be prepared in advance, and breathe easy, here are 11 tips and techniques.

List It!
No, not your house! List what you need to do, need to buy, who you need to see, etc. Make master lists that are easy to read and keep them on you. As you move through your days and chores, cross things off.
For example, if you’re out grocery shopping, pick up the canned goods you’ll need for the holiday dinner now.

Thought of another present you need? Just add it to the gift list. It’s not a tally of done versus not, just one easy place to see everything and keep track.

Grab an Extra
In case you have a party suddenly added to your plans or an extra guest comes by, keep a few “spare” gifts on hand.
Found a deal on wine glasses? Pick up an extra box.
See a sale on chocolates? Add one more box to your cart.
Having a couple of extra items around if you need a gift, forgot an event, or suddenly get asked out, never hurts. To make sure the extras don’t go to waste, pick up a few gift cards at your favourite coffee shop or restaurant; if you need a gift suddenly, you have a card on hand, and if you don’t, you can take yourself out for a treat post-holidays.

Swaps
If you have a cookie/square/treat you’re famous for, consider a cookie swap. Plan a get-together with equally talented friends. Everyone bakes one batch of treats for each person who is attending. At the gathering, you swap treats and come home with one batch of each item. Your baking is now complete, and all you had to do was make one kind of cookie/treat. Making one kind of treat five dozen times is way easier than making five different cookies! Plus, you got to have a social night with friends – and probably did some sampling!

Shop Local
Local retailers are wonderful for gift suggestions, customer service and advice. If there’s someone on your list you have no ideas for (see “Ask!” below), but know their interests, visit a local specialty retailer. Local shop owners can make industry-specific suggestions, they may be able to gift-wrap your find, and you won’t have had the headache of the crowds or wasted hours browsing.

Order Online
If you’re strapped for time, hate lines, or don’t want to go out with the masses, try ordering online. From groceries to pet toys, fireplaces to boots, you can get anything online. Ordering is available 24/7 so it works with any schedule. Often, you can book a delivery time that works with your timing too, or have it shipped directly to your recipient. Just order early to avoid disappointment.

Gift an Experience
Gifts don’t have to be items! Instead, consider gifting an experience or a subscription, like museum tickets, magazine or wine-of-the-month subscriptions, dog sledding, home organization makeovers, etc. Bonus, you don’t have to wrap these items!

Also, consider the unique talents of your friends. Gifting a manicure, photo session, home cleaning session, making welcome signs – anything made/done by someone you know helps your friend grow their business, and they’ll give your recipient the best experience because they know you!

Double Up
If you have a book club, add a wrapping social where everyone brings a few presents to wrap after the book talk. Or have a friend that always visits an out-of-the-way boutique? Ask if they can pick up items for you, and you do the same; by doubling up, you and your friend each have one less trip to make.

One and Done
Try to visit busy retailers only once. For example, get all your spirits and wine in one trip, and, as noted earlier, pick up an extra bottle or two in case a party comes up, or you need an extra gift!

Ask!
If you’re stuck on a gift idea, ask what the person would like; it will save you time guessing and possibly them doing a return. If you’re hosting a holiday dinner, ask guests to bring one dish each to lighten your workload. If you need to pick up one item at a weird time, ask a friend to help. When asked, people are usually more than willing to help out, especially if you are known to return the favour. And on the flip side, volunteer help to your circle of friends and family.

Seek help
If you’re still swamped, overloaded or are taking on too much, look for help. There are many personal shoppers, outdoor light hanging services, snow removal services, gift wrappers, home cleaners, and just about any other job you want to outsource. Of course, these services will cost more than doing it yourself, but having the house dusted for you may be worth the cost! 

Take note of what works
Take note of what worked for you. If online shopping was great, but the delivery timing was a headache, next year, you might get items delivered to a friend who works at home. If your home cleaning service made your home sparkle, that’s worth a quarterly booking. If yoga and a visit was a great stress buster, make it a weekly event. 

Remember that the holidays are supposed to be about peace, friends and family, and the wonders of the season; don’t get weighed down in tasks and miss out on the true joys of the season.