Christmas can be a stressful time for anyone — an endless to do list of buying presents, putting up decorations and preparing a hearty meal.

But the burden can be particularly heavy for single moms dealing with these time-consuming and expensive tasks on their own.

The Royal Gazette’s Lifestyle section talked with a few single mothers to find out how they manage during the busy holiday period.

Below are their tips for how to keep costs down and stress under control:

1. Set realistic standards for children. Sandra Ming said she managed to keep stress at bay during the holidays by raising her children with an understanding that she cannot provide every single item on their wish list. “I also wouldn’t feel satisfied knowing I spoiled my daughters when I couldn’t afford it,” she said. “They are richly blessed with a strong support system and constant love. I make it a point to attend school plays or PTA [meetings]. They know that what’s under the tree isn’t a showcase or a make-up session for not being there.”

2. Keep quality family time at the forefront. Ms Ming stresses to her daughters that Christmas morning is about waking up with each other and enjoying the moment, not just about what presents are under the tree.

3. Teach children to save for what they want. Although the fortunate among us can afford to buy the latest toys and gadgets each year, Ms Ming thinks it’s important for older children to know that gifts don’t just fall from the sky — or rather the chimney. She tries to show her children that saving will allow them to buy whatever they want in due time. “For example, I take my children to the grocery shop. I show them the money their dad gives,” she said. “I allow them to pick out the things they need and when we check out they can see where the money has gone and nine out of ten times I have to pay the difference.”

4. Limit the number of gifts for each child. Mother-of-three Carla Saunders Zuill said her children are now old enough where they can understand the value of money on a basic level. In order to curb unrealistic expectations she has asked her children to tell her three things they want for the holiday season — and explained that they may only get two. “My youngest son also has a December birthday, so I will get him one present for his birthday and his remaining two for Christmas,” she said.

5. Show them it’s better to give than to receive. Ms Zuill has raised her children to understand the importance and value in giving to charity. Every so often people give her ‘gently used’ clothes for her children. She does her best to reciprocate, donating her children’s clothes or facilitating donations from others, so her youngsters understand there are others less fortunate than themselves.

6. Accept any help from family and friends. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without support from Ms Zuill’s children’s godparents. She said the quality time these godparents spend with her children and gifts they bring means that by the time the season ends her children are “very happy”.

7. Budget ahead of time for the holidays, whenever possible. Ms Ming said she always budgets for Christmas and makes sure her daughters get an equal amount of gifts. She usually gets them a set of pyjamas, slippers, hair products and a crazy Christmas pen, along with one or two items off their wish list. She said: “I refuse to spend loads of money, but nine out of ten of their gifts are things they need and things they can use.” The single mom also looks for items when they go on sale and takes advantage of trips overseas, corporate shopping nights and Cyber Monday deals.

8. Remind your children that the best parts of the holidays are free. Ms Ming is a firm believe that all children need is love. “Hugs are free. You can show up to school functions, take them for lunch in the park, go on a bus ride, get matching T-shirts and take silly photos,” she said. “If a parent always gives lavish gifts from the time the child is born, the parent will have to out do themselves every year. Kids will expect more and more and undervalue the hard work it takes for you to get them those gifts.”