10 Tips for Getting Ready for the Holidays with Less Stress

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Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years… I don’t know about you, but my calendar for the next few months is full of events and to-dos.  This is the most wonderful time of the year but sometimes it can be one of the most stressful times of the year.

This time of year I try to do a few things to keep myself from stressing and today I’m sharing with you all my top tips for getting ready for the holidays with less stress.

Tip 1: Make a Plan

This season is beyond full of events and to-dos so it’s easy to get stressed.  Take a deep breath for a moment.  Then get out your calendar and make a plan to prepare for everything coming the next few months.

I like to make a to-do list for each week and then at the beginning of each week I assign those tasks to each day.  Writing it all down calms me, keeps me from forgetting things, and enables me to stress a little less.

Tip 2: Make a Budget

I know, killjoy.  But by evaluating your finances and setting a budget ahead of time you won’t stress out so much about your spending this time of year.  Just be sure to stick to your budget.

Tip 3: Keep a Running Gift List on Your Phone

I used to struggle to think of gifts for my friends and family until my husband told me his secret… he keeps a running list of gift ideas on his phone.  Whenever he sees something he thinks a friend or family member would love he types it into the list and snaps a photo if needed.

I do it now too and it totally keeps me from drawing a blank when I finally get around to my Christmas shopping.

Tip 4: Do Some Online Shopping
Schedule some time into your calendar for some online shopping.  Stores get crazy hectic this time of year (I can barely stand it in the evenings!) so instead of heading out, stay inside in your pajamas and order those gifts to be sent straight to your home.

Tip 5: Do Some Online Grocery Shopping

I love Giant Eagle Curbside Express.  Again, I sit in my pajamas, do my grocery shopping at my computer, and schedule a pick up at my local store.  This is a major time saver and it feels like such a luxury.

Tip 6: Grab a Gift Cards while Grocery Shopping

I LOVE the convenience of being able to kill 2 birds with one stone.  There’s no need to run to a bunch of different stores for gift cards when I can get them at my local Giant Eagle.

Tip 7: Fueling Up at Giant Eagle

Now this is killing 3 birds with one stone.  I love that I can get groceries, giftcards, and gas all in one stop.

Tip 8: Take Advantage of Giant Eagle’s Fuel Perks Plus Program
Saving money this time of year is important, especially given the extra expenses of gifts, special meals, etc.  Giant Eagle has always had a great Fuel Perks Program but now you can take advantage of more savings.  You can now earn perks on fuel purchases and have the choice to redeem on food OR fuel.

Not only do you get discounts on GetGo’s gas and prescription copays, Curbside Express orders and giftcards, now you can also redeem your points on up to 20% off your total grocery bill (in a single transaction of up to $10,000 in qualifying purchases) or up to a free tank of gas (up to 30 gallons of fuel in a single transaction for one vehicle)!  For prescriptions you earn 50 perks on every 5 prescriptions, plus you earn on out of pocket pharmacy expenses at the same rate as groceries.

If you have any perks above the current price of fuel or above 20% may be used on your next shopping trip.

When I got my groceries this week I redeemed my perks.  I had enough to save 14% off of my grocery bill.

You can keep track of your perks on Giant Eagle’s new mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

More Perks, More Places, More Savings. Learn how the Perks Program works and get 100 bonus perks by clicking here.

In order to apply for the Perk program, you will need to have a Giant Eagle Advantage Card to track when you earn and redeem perks. If you’d like to sign up for one, you can visit the Customer Service desk at your neighborhood Giant Eagle where you can register for free in less than five minutes! Or, you can register by phone; just call 1-800-553-2324.

If you don’t have an advantage card and would like to sign up to track when you earn and redeem perks, you can visit the Customer Service desk. Or, you can register by phone; just call 1-866-620-0216.

Tip 9: Take Breaks

Take some time for yourself.  It’s hard but you need to take care of yourself during the business of all the holiday events.  Go to bed early, read a book, slowly sip a coffee, take a bubble bath… do something that will help you to relax.

Tip 10: Take Time to Connect with Loved Ones

It’s hard, but schedule in some special dates with the ones you love.  Even if it’s just a simple date night at home with your spouse, piling everyone into the car to look at lights and eat donuts, or meeting a friend for coffee… do it!  The holidays really are about being with the ones we love but sometimes the busyness and stress of the big events and getting it all done can overwhelm us.  Look for low key opportunities to just be with your loved ones.  It will help you to recharge.

So tell me, what tips do you have for getting ready for the holidays so that they are not so stressful?  I’d love to hear them in the comments below.