Twinkling lights down Front Street, and the welcoming addition of the twinkling down York Street in St. George's are all signs that the holiday's season cheer are approaching and most of us are not even remotely ready. For many it is the best time of year filled with anticipation, family gatherings, office parties, and that big year-end bonus. It's a time we all tend to overspend, over indulge in food and firewater, and stretch our energies to the limit. Yet for some, it's the time of year they force themselves to get along with everyone including a particular family member they haven't communicated with most of the year and others try to accept all the invites fearing, if they don't, not being on the "list''.

Holidays can be one of the most stressful periods of the year due to the added burden of obligations and also the unrealistic expectations we placed on ourselves, in conjunction with the short amount of time we have to accomplish it all. So sorry if I sound like the Scrooge, but all of the above spells STRESS if not organised appropriately, and lets face it, you can't put all of the blame on him.

Dateline NBC and Prevention Magazine says "the Scrooge wasn't the only one having nightmares during the holiday'' and organised a scientific poll. The results of their poll showed 41 percent found Christmas and Hanukkah were almost as stressful as asking the boss for a raise. In addition, women were most likely to feel stressed-out at the holiday season than men, but cheer up all, that's just the bad news; The good news is that 62% said they still look forward to the holidays. Whoa, we are a glutton for punishment eh? But the survey showed the stress in the long run for most, proves to be rewarding.

Organising is the key to preventing the holiday blues and deriving joy from this festive season and prevent all sorts of illness including nervousness, stomach pains, and headaches. Even if you can't implement all try a few of these tips to help relieve and avoid some stressful anxiety during this holiday season: Realising your limit is a must! Many of us believe we can do it all just to please everyone. Do your best, it is near impossible to please everyone anyway and your honest best is all you have to give.

Take a tip from Santa -- make a list and prioritise the list and it won't hurt, if so desired, to check it twice.

Prepare a budget and stick to it -- overspending will only carry over into the New Year with additional stress facing you before the onion drops.

Park and walk! Especially after an evening of cassava pie, Christmas pudding and the extra-spiked eggnog. Low threshold on will power? Not to worry. Try to limiting yourself to small portions and include an extra walk to your exercise routine. Don't have a exercise routine -- start one now.

Don't over exhaust yourself by trying to attend every function. If at all possible, try to limit the ones you must for business and networking associations and select the ones you enjoy most. The holiday festivities are better spent trying to limit the time spent with the people you need to be around to the ones you enjoy being with most.

Even Santa has a budget. Viewing all parents calamitous, holiday commercials, our almost 4 year old is constantly yelling I want that for Christmas, come see it now and we usually run to see it, but we also tell her she can expect three special toys from Santa because Santa has to share the toys with all the boys and girls all over the world and if she gets too many some other child will be very sad -- seems to work -- stay tuned.

Feeling lonely or depressed? No need to be! Go for a brisk walk, attend a church service (St. Theresa's have mid-day services during the holiday season -- for specific times give them a call), go to the movies, visit the National Gallery and view their latest exhibit. Try some sort of community service outreaching, for instance: visit a rest home, the hospice or the children's ward at the hospital, adopt a pet, send a gift to the anonymous Santa children's programme. You do need to get out and about among people even if your are not directly dealing with them, sitting at home alone can possibly add to your despair.

As noted psychologist Dorothy Cantor, Psy.D., a private practitioner in Westfield, New Jersey, and a past president of the American Psychological Association stated "the anticipation of the holiday season begins with Christmas decorations going up around Halloween. It is no wonder that people who expect to have the perfect holiday are set up for feeling stressed out over the holidays, a person will get very disappointed if he or she expects to get along with everyone in the family that historically doesn't get along, just because it is the holiday season. Pegging the holidays as a magical time for curing all past problems is not being realistic and will get you into trouble.'' All in all don't set yourself up for disappointments because there is absolutely no need to with proper planning. Avoid mortgaging the homestead to buy the most expensive gift just because the ads says "to show your love'' buy this or that! A great gift for anyone be it family member, friend or colleague is your time! Wishing you all a stress-free as possible holiday season and to all a good night! Have a particular organisation concern you would like to see addressed? Please send it to my attention c/o of The Royal Gazette .

*** Cindy Swan is a Professional Organiser with over 20 years of office administrative managerial experience.