Holiday Stress Relief - 12 Days of Christmas Stress Busters

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If you're looking at the Holidays as just another stress to add to your already overloaded schedule and life, I've got some tips you won't want to miss. Keep reading for Stress Buster Tips that will keep you moving through the Holidays at warp speed with a smile, plenty of laughter, and cheer to spread around.

1. Minimize. Cut out the excesses, whether it's food, people, gifts, expenses, or extra duties, cut them out of your life.

2. Personal Time. Give yourself a few minutes of down time every day to regroup, refocus, meditate, and alleviate stressors.

3. Focus. Do one thing at a time. Don't try to get it all done at once, choose one thing and do that, then do the next thing. (It does help to have a list and mark off each item as you complete it.)

4. Allocate Chores. Delegate chores to others and allow everyone to carry the load normally left for you to bear. Move toward cooperative living.

5. Simplify. Who says the party has to have three kinds of desert? How about providing one desert that is extra special and plenty for everyone to have seconds if they choose? Or add a delightful selection of toppings?

6. Housekeeper. Hire a housekeeper for the holidays. Even if it's just once a week for a couple of hours to dust and vacuum, if you hire someone else to get that part done, the rest is easier to face.

7. Services. When companies offer services to go with products you purchase, accept them, allow them to take care of details and you enjoy an extra five minutes at the spa getting your nails done.

8. Laughter. Take time each day to laugh. If you feel the stress building up, take a moment right then and read a funny story. Enjoy life! Laughter was created to bring joy - LET IT!

9. Rejuvenate. The most relaxing thing you can do some days is simply to take a nap. It doesn't have to be long, but five minutes can revive you.

10. Resourcefulness. Be resourceful. If you think you can't do it, you probably can't, but...if you think you can, you'll find a way. Look for options that you might not normally think of. Brainstorm solutions.

11. Ask a friend to lunch. Take a moment during this season to remember your friends and family. A real moment, actually sit down across the table from one person and focus on all the things you've missed in that persons life. Truly catch up.

12. Enjoy. Take time to enjoy Christmas. Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth, take some time this season to reconnect with Jesus Christ and remember who He is and what He stands for.

Are you ready to enjoy a true 12 Days of Christmas experience?

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Holiday Carol-Gram Fundraisers

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Bring good tidings this season with a no-cost, low-cost fundraiser. Singing holiday songs can work for many non-profit groups that need to raise money and stand out from the crowd.

Neighborhood home-owners associations, church groups, even youth sports teams can benefit by singing Christmas Carols. All that's required is some festive attire, and the willingness to sing. The great thing is, you don't even have to be able to sing well to pull this off. In fact, imperfect performances can even seem more charming than the best choir presentation.

The best way to make sure your holiday fundraiser is a success is to advertise early and often. Place ads in your neighborhood newsletter, website, or email blasts. Posters in the hallways at church or school, bulletin boards, even signs at street corners work well. Many local newspapers and television stations offer free advertising to non-profit groups. Take advantage of the freebies.

You'll most likely need a few rehearsals, but you could just gather for an hour or so before you begin your singing rounds to practice. Print out words to popular songs for each singer in your group.

Depending on the weather in your area, holiday sweaters and scarves gives the appeal of a Norman Rockwell Christmas scene. Offer personalized Christmas Carol-grams. It is fairly simple to do: 'We wish Bob a Merry Christmas...'.

Keep your song selections simple. Feel free to ham it up, give out home-made cookies at the end of your performance, even take pictures of your group with the Carol-gram recipients to send to the paying customers.

I strongly recommend collecting your Carol-gram fee in advance. Depending on where your paying customers send your group to sing, there will be some small expenses involved. Carpool in vans and SUV's to your assigned locations. If children will be singing as a group, never allow them to approach someone's house without an adult chaperone in attendance. Safety first where children are concerned.

A Holiday Carol-gram fundraiser is a great way for your non-profit group to raise funds around the holidays, and also works as a team building, fun event. Don't stress over it and keep it fun for everyone!

Kimberly Reynolds writes for national publications about church fundraisers, organizing a Christmas Carol fundraiser and charity fundraiser events. Find more school fundraising ideas on her website, FundraiserHelp.com