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Holiday De-stress

Decking the Halls Without Blowing a Gasket

By Mark Stackpole

When it comes to attending or hosting holiday parties, Petroff's advice to dads and families is simple: Don't do it if you're not prepared to commit to the experience. "Limit yourselves to one event per weekend, and don't host your own unless you know that you can manage the stress," he says. "If you are open to hosting a larger event, it can make things nicer. Everyone brings something to lighten the preparation load, and more branches of the family get to share in the spirit of the season."

As for shopping, the Petroffs and their extended family "draw names out of a hat" to reduce shopping stress. They also keep the focus on buying gifts for the smaller children, where the giving (and shopping) experience is more enjoyable.

Organizing Strategist Debbie Williams works with parents and families, teaching them to conquer chaos in their busy lives. She is the founder of Organizedtimes.com and the author of the upcoming book, Common Sense Organizing: A Step By Step Program For Taking Control Of Your Home And Your Life (Champion Press, 2005). Williams understands that the holidays are not easy on fathers.

"I know that married dads often get the short end of the stick during the holiday season, as they are expected to step in and relieve Mom as she shops, cleans, wraps and decorates for success," says Williams. "His stress level can easily go through the roof. And single dads have the brunt of the burden to bear – routine outings with hungry, tired kids can easily turn into marathon shoppingas he prepares for a visit from his folks or learns that Thanksgiving is at his house this year."

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