Make a list of what your expectations are for this season

• Who you want to to buy presents for - make a large list and divide your list into categories, large gift to small, then look to see if you really need to buy a gift, perhaps a little memento or card will do just as well. People just want to be remembered.
• Do you want to bake - gather your recipes and choose a few of your favorites. You don't have to do a massive baking unless you want to. If you don't plan to bake, buy some items at a bakery or grocery store. Make a list of what they might be.
• Do you want to decorate - look through last years items, should you add to them? Do some of them need repairing? Repair them now. If you need some fresh. Try letting your child/grandchild/friends child make decorations for you.
• How much money do you have to spend (its a good idea to stick to this one), try doing more with less money. Being creative with your gift giving can take a little more effort, but in January you will be glad that you tried.
• Do you want to entertain. Think about how often and when. You should invite friends and family now for December dates so that you won't be disappointed because they have made other plans. Try and not go overboard with this.
• Do you want to go away on a trip. If you have never traveled before at Christmas time realize that if you visit some places, for instance Ottawa, that a lot of the sites will be closed for the holiday. Plan where you will eat. Many restaurants are closed on Christmas Eve and stay closed on Christmas. All of these things should be covered by your travel agent. Then remember too, first timers, that you have radically changed you traditions, be ready to make new ones. Traveling can be fun and refreshing.
• Are you worried about family spats or out and out WAR? Christmas can be one of the most trying time of year for some families. Grudges do not go away just because it is Christmas, in fact quite often, old hurts and grudges are even uglier during the holiday. My suggestion to you is to try to defuse the situation BEFORE you get your relatives together. Have a talk with each party and then arrange a meeting for them on neutral ground and have a friend or professional mediate for you (you should stay out of it). If they live far from each other perhaps a 3 way phone call would help.
• How clean do you want your house to be? Be kind to yourself. You can hire someone if you can afford it. But another way could be to get together with a couple of friends and have a cleaning swap. Three afternoons and you will all have spic and span houses.
• Are you wanting to participate in some entertainment? Dream a little, what shows, concerts, children's activities etc. would you like to see. Choose a couple and find out how much they will cost. Sometimes there are free afternoon concerts at a mall or park. Kitchener and Waterloo host spectacular Christmas light shows in Victoria and Waterloo parks. These are free. Look in the newspaper in your city to find fun for free. Above all try not to over extend yourself. Between business, family, civic and church commitments you can have such a full plate that you don't enjoy anything. Be selective and plan ahead.

The above list was just a start. I can't say enough. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify.