Ho Ho ........uh oh

🎵🎵Tis this season to lose your marbles Fa La La La La La La La La! Stay out the kitchen it’s too crowded fa la la la la la la la la! Avoid the in- laws who are messy fa la la la la la la la la! Please keep your cool it’s too noisy fa la la la la la la la la! 🎵♪♩

Happy holidays my people! Tis the most wonderful time of year. If you suffer with anxiety, depression, or if you’re an introvert, the holidays can be an overwhelming time. Shopping in busy malls, several grocery store visits, Trying to impress the in laws with your favorite recipes. Today I want to tell you to HIIIIIDDDDEEEE ! Okay not really but I’m going to give you some tricks that will hopefully alleviate some of you anxiety and worries. It is a well known fact that the holiday season is one of the most stressful times of year for the average American. Seasonal depression is also in full effect so make sure you check on your loved ones who suffer from depression or any other mental health condition.

Hopefully my holiday hints will help you get through the hustle and bustle of the season.

Beat the mad rush! Avoid the crowds whenever possible! I personally have slight claustrophobia so I do not do well in crowded malls and stores. I always online shop in advance. Also late night shopping weeks before the holidays is a can do thank goodness for extended holiday hours. We can all appreciate packages arriving on my doorstep so online shopping is my life line. Last minute shopping has proved to be stressful, tiring, and downright avoidable get it out of the way!

Keep it cute !If you are hosting this year's big dinner , keep it intimate. Of course your mom wants to invite a cousin you haven’t seen in 10 years but you have to keep your environment as peaceful and comfortable as possible. Keep the number of chefs in the kitchen down. Cousin Peaches does not need to be hovering over you while you’re cooking. Everyone wants to come in looking under tops, and foil but beat it! Nobody wants to cook in a crowded hot kitchen.

Keep it on the low!If you’re a guest, keep it low key. Find you a spot in the basement or the quiet room to relax until dinner is served. The living room, and kitchen are the red zones, they will terrify you. This is going to sound foul but in the past I would eat at home before I went to my families gathering, that way I could socialize for a little while before everyone started sipping too much (if you know what I mean)

You said my total is whheeeettttt? You can’t buy for everybody! Have a huge family but can’t buy everyone a gift? Same here, I have grown to love a gift exchange where we pull names. In order to save some bread draw names anonymously, set a price cap that way no one feels slighted you didn't get them a gift and vice/versa. You can even do the pull online at www.namedrawing.com

Let's get cozy!Take some time to enjoy the warm fuzzy feelings! There’s always a magical feeling in the air this time of year. Enjoy some family time decorating, eating cookies and watching every Charlie Brown and Elf movie! It gets stressful but remember the meaning of the holidays to celebrate loved ones! I can’t wait to volunteer with some pretty cool organizations I hope you will help bring joy to someone else this holiday season!

This is a time to enjoy family and friends. No one expects you to be perfect. Have fun relax with some eggnog and avoid any unnecessary stress.

My favorite things (just in case you wanted to know)

Fuzzy socks! The fluffier and warmer the better

Watching a Christmas Story 56789 times

Taking someone else's kids to see the lights at GE

Baking pies yuummmmm

Making others smile when i buy them lumps of coal this year!

Attempting to force anyone to get matching onesies for Christmas Eve

Happy Holidays and cheers!

xoxo-Sam