Tips for Surviving December
The month of December is a fun and crazy time in the United States; the days get shorter, the weather gets colder, and the mad frenzy of Christmas shopping comes to full swing. This time of year can be both fun and stressful. Below is a list of some simple tips that can help keep stress levels low and allow you to make the most of the end of the year.
Check the Weather
December starts the time of year where you would expect to see cold temperatures, freezing rain, and snow. These weather conditions can add additional time to your commute and can be unpleasant, something as simple as taking your dog for a walk can take twice as long. The best way to combat this is to be prepared for what’s coming. Checking the weather forecast every evening allows you to account for the extra time needed due to bad weather. Knowing you must get up an hour earlier than normal, to ensure you get to work on time, can make a dramatic difference in your stress and productivity for the day.
Ensure your Vehicle is Prepared
Snow is beautiful to look at and fun to play in, however, it becomes a pain to deal with when your car is involved. After an evening or late-night snow storm, most people must dig their car out from a pile of snow. Being prepared to do so makes your life much easier. Keeping a quality snow brush and a pair of gloves in the car ensure that you are ready and equipped to deal with a large amount of snow. In addition, the change in temperature can lead to a dead car battery and decreased tire pressure. Early December is an appropriate time to get your car serviced to avoid these issues. A simple oil change and tire rotation should be done several times a year anyway. Having these simple services done are a must and usually include testing your car’s battery and checking tire pressure. Taking the car to get serviced now will not only help the vehicles overall performance but also help avoid winter catastrophes.
Creating a Gift Giving Plan
Most people learn the value of having a holiday gift plan after they go last minute shopping. Malls and shopping centers can be a hassle to deal with especially the week before Christmas. The start of December is typically the best time to get your shopping done. The craziness of Black Friday has passed, and most stores still have plenty of sales going on with plenty of merchandise left. Having a plan for gifting can be done with very little ease and can result in a reduction of stress. Knowing who you need to buy for and what you plan to give allows you to know what stores you must go to and can help you avoid last minute shopping. In addition, if you do your shopping early in December you still have plenty of time to order from online retailers and not have to worry about the gift arriving in time.
Set Travel Plans Early
Many people and families travel long distances in December to spend the holidays together. Knowing when the best times to travel and making travel arrangements early can help you avoid a lot of issues. The airports and roads can be crazy right before Christmas. Knowing how busy transportation hubs will be is important so you can account for the additional time needed to wait in traffic or in security lines. Furthermore, taking a few extra days off from work and making arrangements to travel earlier or later than most people can help you avoid large crowds. No matter when you decide to travel, make sure you plan so you are prepared and can get to your destination with time to spare.
Being Prepared at the Office
During the holiday season, you must remember that you are not the only person traveling and taking vacation time. With you cannot ignore your professional responsibilities. Working with your boss and peers to make sure all your work projects get done is crucial to enjoying the holidays. You must be aware of who is working and who is on vacation at all times. Coordinating time off allows you and your coworkers to know what’s to be done and when. If you don’t account for someone’s absence some part of a project can be forgotten about and have to be done last minute. A simple calendar can solve a lot of these issues just make sure everyone is using it.
Being Ready for the Family
The best part of the holidays is spending time with your family; however, the worst part of the holidays is also spending time with the family. It is nice to see your family but knowing when too much quality time together is too much is an important thing. Finding that balance of family time versus personal time is a key factor in guaranteeing everyone has a great holiday. So, planning your family parties and gatherings early with a great amount of attention to detail can be a difference maker in having a great holiday season.
December can be a wonderful time of year. The snow is pretty, taking time off work is always a great feeling, and spending time and exchanging gifts with the family can be a lot of fun. Utilizing the tips above to plan your December can help you make the most of this wonderful time of the year.
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