3 Ways to Handle the Most Important Holiday Preparations

It’s beginning to look a lot like—time to get ready for the holidays. They’re coming fast, and I am feeling the pinch. It’s not like I wait until the last minute each year to prepare for those massive influxes of friends and family, but my house always seems to be uncooperative in the process.

Along with cleaning and sprucing up, there’s the decorating, and of course, all of that has to be done while gathering up the presents, wrapping and then doing the cooking as well. Sometimes I feel like the turkey on the center of the table when I’m through—fully cooked.

In spite of it all, I look forward to the holidays every year. Even though all of the commotion can really aggravate my allergies; leaving me with a need for finding a treatment for allergic rhinitis. People coming and going, lots of perfumes and just the general dust from cleaning can put my sinuses in an uproar.

Thankfully, when my head is about to burst, my husband and kids will help out. They even seem to enjoy lending a hand from time to time, making getting ready as much a family event as the actual holidays are.

Even though we are a big extended family with my parents living right next door, the holidays bring many out of town relatives that we are all excited to see again. One of the things I do when allergies leave me sidelined for a short time and I have to rely on my husband and kids to get ready is give them a list.

Here are some of the ideas that I’ve come up with to let them help out the most so that when I’m ready, I can jump back into action quickly.

Holiday Cleaning Chores

I pick the types of cleaning that are easy to accomplish, and won’t involve any climbing or handling of delicate items. Some things even the younger kids can do include:

• Vacuuming
• Picking up toys
• Putting away papers, magazines and books

The above is most helpful when I’m in a hurry and family is coming over soon, but I’m dealing with an allergy attack. The rest of the house is clean, and I just need them to tidy it up from everyday items that are lying around.

Then my husband can go around and make sure guest rooms are neat and made up, along with adding some new air fresheners throughout the house filled with holiday scents like cinnamon or other spices.

Decorating the House for the Holidays

I sure hate to miss any of the action when it comes to decorating the house for the holidays. Putting up wreathes on the doors, and decorating the fireplace mantel are my favorite things. If I’m really out of action due to my allergies, I get my husband to bring in all of the decorations, and sort them out. Making sure the lights are untangled is ALWAYS his job, regardless of how I feel, and the kids can all help by putting ornament hooks in their slots so they’re ready to go on the tree.

Of course, the really big event is decorating the tree. Everybody in the family loves to do that. We make it an all-night event. My parents come over, and we play Christmas carols, singing along as we string the lights, toss the garland and hang the ornaments.

With my youngest involved, sometimes there’s more garland on the floor, tables and furniture than there is on the tree, but that’s what memories are made of. Pictures are a must. I have a holiday album full of every year’s decorating night. It is a treasured piece of family history.

Preparing the Feasts

When it comes to holiday food preparation, that’s one area I deem all to myself. I love to bake, and there’s no better excuse for tons of baked goods than the holidays.

Mark Twain once said that “The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” It’s funny, but that’s one of my favorite quotes, and I try to live by it in a lot of ways. However… the holidays are no time for abstinence in the delicious food department.

When it comes to holiday eating, I go along more with the idea that anything and everything in moderation is healthy, and makes for a happy occasion. I make sure I always have a remedy for hay fever on hand, and bake to my heart’s content. I do try to avoid sampling the goodies until it is time to party, although I’m not always successful.

When it’s all said and done, all the work is well worth it. There’s nothing like time spent with friends and family during the holidays, and they’re over all too fast. Don’t forget to keep your camera on hand. That way you’ll never forget all the fun times that made the preparations worthwhile.

About the Author:

Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer who loves to research ways to help her readers tackle their lives and handle their big life events while dealing with allergies. She’s always on the lookout for the best remedy for hay fever, and other tips for healthy living. She often writes on the things near and dear to her heart such as frugal ways to live well, and always adds her special brand of insights developed through her own family experiences.