So much to do. So much to see. So little time. The holidays can be wonderfully fun and festive, but they can also be stressful, exhausting and sad, even for the little ones. Here are a few tips to make sure your holidays fall into the first category and your memories last a lifetime.

Talk about what’s important. Asking a simple question, such as “What’s the most important part of the holidays for you,” can save a lot of stress and heartache. Plus, the answers you get might surprise you. Maybe it’s not the 25 activities you try to squeeze in between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Eve that make your clan happy. Maybe it’s simply baking cookies with mom and eating them as a family.

Put it on the calendar. Make a list of “must-see, must-do” events and get them on everyone’s calendars early in the season. But set limits to prevent activity overload. Take a nap. That goes for “Ma in her kerchief and pa in his cap” as well as for the little ones. Getting enough sleep is vital to keeping a positive mood. If you’re going to be out late, or if you were out late the night before, don’t be bashful about taking a short winter nap.

Eat right. Too much of a good thing can leave you feeling tired and ill. Keep energized and healthy this holiday season by planning nutritious snacks and meals around holiday parties and events. Pack fruits and veggies to eat on the go whether traveling or shopping. And when faced with a seemingly endless array of appetizers and sweets, choose wisely.

Enjoy your time together. When families gather for the holidays it can be easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of activity, even when all you really want to do is sit quietly and visit with your sister over a cup of tea. Don’t let those little moments pass you by. Schedule time to really visit with the ones you love. You’ll be glad you did.

Ask for help. Whether you’re planning a party or simply cleaning the house, remember “many hands make light work.” Breathe. Sometimes the best stress relief is simply to stop in the moment
and breathe – deep, calming, self-indulgent breaths. Need a little more “me time?” That’s okay, too. Every minute of the season does not need to be filled with people, places, planning and parties. Slip away for a quiet, winter walk; watch a favorite holiday movie; curl up with a good book; or simply do nothing at all.