By Evan Vitale

The end of the year is upon us and approaching at a swift pace! There’s shopping; wrapping; traveling; meals to prepare; people to see; parties to attend, plus all the normal things we need to do every day (like go to work!).

How can you get through the end of the year crunch without losing your mind?

Here’s a little step-by-step approach that will help you survive the holidays and get everything done in a timely manner:

• Break down everything you need to do in smaller tasks. Not every present needs to be wrapped today, but if you have 30 minutes to spare here or there, take advantage of smaller chunks of time in order to tackle those bigger projects a little at a time.
• Bundle tasks. For example, if you need to go out, what else needs to be done? Shipping packages; some last-minute shopping and a trip to the grocery store can all be done with a one-car trip. Save time by not going back-and-forth to businesses and to your home.
• Wait until the holidays are over before taking down the Christmas tree or doing any major cleaning (as long as you’re not hosting this year). Some things can just wait or, if you prefer, you can start gathering and removing holiday decorations in little tasks.
• If you are really crunched on time, look for and take advantage of time-saving opportunities. For example, several department stores (and other stores) offer gift-wrapping services for a small fee or you might find a non-profit agency offering wrapping services for a donation. This is a huge time saver (and can be a great stress-buster if you don’t like to wrap presents).

Stay calm. Relax and enjoy the holidays. Don’t stress out and feel like things are not in your control. Breathe. Take breaks and remember to enjoy the season!