HHhmmmm...... last year, we didn't get too far with this thread....... I wonder if we discovered some ways to relax at Christmas and just didn't write them here?
Looking back.... my adult children all instituted ways for us to minimize stress at Christmas. Our oldest son checks with us for our latest passionate interests -- and sends gift cards for our favorite places. (He orders them online and the stores mail them to us.) It is a very luxurious feeling to have that gift card..... and wait for the perfect time to use it - during the year!
Our youngest son asked that we use disposable plates and cutlery, and NOT set an elaborate table for holiday meals. A lovely flower arrangement and tablecloth was fine. Candles were fine. NO fancy serving dishes, etc.
Our daughter asked that we serve purchased food. (Precooked, gourmet items, restaurant take-out.) She ALWAYS does this for holiday meals herself!
This arrangement might not work for everyone. But, because we live so close to two of the children's families, and exchange frequent visits with the third -- we eat many, many, many meals together during the year. Meals that I cook and serve using real dishes & cutlery. So -- it is a novel treat to use holiday paper plates, napkins, etc. that are disposable.
This has cut the amount of work for me tremendously ---- and reduced the stress tremendously.
How about you? Did you find anything that reduced your level of stress for Christmas 2009?