18 Tips to Simplify This Holiday Season

The holidays can be overwhelming, especially if you have a child with a chronic illness.

Here are some things I do, and some I wish I would have done, to simplify the holidays. (Don’t forget to take more naps!)

1. Make fewer doctor appointments and procedures if you can help it.
2. Buy gifts year-round to save money and time.
3. If you can, delay all non-important appointments throughout the holidays. (i.e. can your yearly appointment wait until the new year?)
4. Take more naps.
5. Take care of any health insurance or medicine changes before December so you’re not panicking at the end of the year.
6. Spend time with your kids at home decorating the house, the tree, singing holiday songs and more. Every family does not need to go to the mall to shop or participate in other holiday traditions, especially if it is tough for your family.
7. Cut back on gift-giving with friends…how about a lunch out instead?
8. Forget about the perfect Christmas and do what you can.
9. Be as prepared as you can for a health emergency. It is probably the hardest time of the year, but if you’re organized, you can make it easier for your family.
10. Simplify gift-giving to your kids with the “four gift rules” with something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
11. Take more naps!
12. Make cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it. It’s easy enough to make a dozen or so of freshly cookies quickly. Or just buy the pre-made dough!
13. If someone offers to help your family in anyway, please take it!  Alternatively, if you are in desperate need of help, please ask!
14. Make a bunch of dinners ahead of time and freeze them. Better yet, make or pick up prepared meals, designed to freeze and use when you’re ready.
15. Take a break for a day for self-care.
16. If you are the hostess-type, only have one of the major holiday dinners.
17. Use recyclable paper plates from Thanksgiving through Christmas to make clean up easier.
18. Take more naps!