Aside from making holiday dishes ahead of time for stress-free entertaining, there are many things you can do to minimize holiday chaos and stress. Making some hard decisions in advance about what you can realistically do or not do will help free this coming holiday season from undue worry. And thinking outside the box can create a new holiday experience for everyone!

How you get there: How to prepare for holiday travel can be mind-boggling when having to consider everyone’s schedules and needs. When possible, try to avoid air travel, which is fraught with frenzy this time of year. Maybe a road trip via car or train travel will allow you to slow things down a bit to better enjoy fall and winter wonders.

Who you see when: Despite what your head tells you, you don’t have to see everyone in the family. Nor do you have to see them all on the same day. In fact, you can see them a week before or after - spreading out the joy of gratitude, giving, and merriment longer. You take a month to celebrate your birthday, why should the holidays be any different? Regarding catching up with old friends you haven’t seen in forever who are flying into your hometown, you can prioritize seeing them over attending the neighbor's potluck next door. You have choices, and saying no is ok! Invitations are not conscriptions! When you can’t decide, ask yourself how you would feel after the holiday hubbub dies down if you didn’t make time to see your long-lost friend who might not make it back any time soon.

Give as you can: Going into debt and being a Grinch after the holidays simply doesn't make sense. You don’t have to buy everyone you know a gift. There are other ways to give than the token scarf, tie, or festive socks. Consider gifting your extended family charitable donations that would be more meaningful to them instead.

Be flexible: You can’t plan for everything - unless you are smuggling a crystal ball we don’t know about. The cooler seasons often involve changes in weather. If that means you can’t travel or make it to a particular event, all the fretting in the world won’t change that tempest in the sky.

Divide up responsibilities: You don’t have to take on the burden of cooking, shopping, and planning on your own. So, before diving in like the lone ranger to tackle an overambitious to-do list, ask yourself what the family can do and make it a team effort. There are only so many hours in a day, after all. Assigning duties far ahead of time and communicating about expectations, timelines, etc., will prevent a lot of martyrdom and last-minute frenzy.

How to prepare for holiday guests: Remember, you and your home do not have to be perfect. They are coming to visit because they love and care about you. If the state of your home can change that, no amount of stress is worth it!

Lastly, if you are worried about overindulgence, establish a workout plan and healthy diet now! Having a solid, well-entrenched habit will bolster your defenses against holiday fare and parties that take you away from your wellness routine.