How to Have a Stress Free (and Active!) Holiday Season

Our Christmas tradition involves a mountain mini-break for a few days before Christmas. It’s a special time before the relatives descend on us, when we get away from it all. The mountain towns are virtually empty, hotels are cheap, and best of all, the trails and ski runs are covered with snow but free of crowds. How do you do it? You just need to plan. For many, plan is a 4-letter word, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you plan ahead, you can have the best Christmas ever and spend more time playing outside. Truly, any time in the great outdoors, is “the most wonderful time of the year.”

1. Shop for Christmas presents throughout the year. This way you get the best deals and aren’t stuck in the malls at the start of ski season. Don’t forget gifts of adventure for your family like a Family Season’s Pass to your favorite ski hill. Super Early Bird Specials are available in the April/May and can often be 50% off or more.
2. Shop less. a) Instead of buying for each relative, draw a name from a hat, or buy gifts only for the children. b) Buy one gift per family member instead of several. c) Don’t be afraid to make a wish list of things you need. We got a few relatives to pitch in for cross country skis for the kids. By buying less, we save time and money; time and money we can spend in the mountains.
3. Decorate in November. The kids will love it, you can enjoy the decorations longer, and it’s one less thing to do before company comes calling. We put our tree up at the beginning of November!
   

   Oh Christmas Tree!

4. Write your Christmas cards in November so they’ll be ready to mail in early December. To save money, make your own! We get our blank cards at Walmart and accoutrements at the Dollar Store.
   

   DIY Christmas Cards

5. Start your Christmas baking in late November and freeze it. We put together tins of gingerbread, sugar cookies, and shortbread for our favorite people. It’s an inexpensive, but well anticipated gift. Here is a great gingerbread recipe.
   

   Homemade Gingerbread Cookies

6. Buy all your holiday entertaining non-perishables (and freezables) in early December so you don’t need to do a big shopping right before Christmas. This also ensures you get what you need before it’s sold out. Remember that year you drove to three grocery stores on the 24th looking for cranberry sauce? Fresh cranberries freeze well and make the best sauce!
7. Plan some outdoor adventures. They can be microadventures – sledding in a nearby park or a neighborhood Christmas lights walk – or out of town adventures like skiing / snowshoeing trips. We love going to Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise. *Sign up for email alerts from your favorite places to stay. They often have last-minute price reductions.
   

   Canmore Christmas Lights