Advent is a marathon: Gifts must be bought, cookies baked, the Christmas tree decorated, visits with relatives arranged. And that is just part of the stress. At the office, it is time for the annual financial statement. Winter brings colds, flu and sniffles.

No wonder people are edgy during the holiday season. Disappointments and family squabbles are almost inevitable. But careful planning can minimise the risk.

Weeks before Christmas, all involved should decide how, where, and with whom they want to celebrate. "The biggest problem is that Christmas is fraught with oversized expectations and wishes," noted Hana Reinhardt of the Centre for Care-Giving Relatives in the German city of Fuerth.

Susanna Grohs-von Reichenbach, a relaxation instructor from Munich, agreed. "The expectations come from others and also from oneself. They're the biggest hurdle," she said.

"Start by listing what every family member feels is essential," advised Petra Stubakow, head of the Neumuenster-based National Association of Masters of Home Economics. All of the wishes should be bundled in a schedule based on the principle "less is more."

Everybody, housewives included, should have some personal time during the holidays. "A lot of housewives overestimate themselves," Reinhardt remarked.

Once the holiday plan is set, the various tasks should be distributed. The sooner that gifts are bought, cookies baked, and decorations hung, the better.

"No more than 50 per cent of the time available during Advent should be scheduled," advised Grohs-von Reichenbach. "Another 20 per cent is typically spent on things that take longer than planned, and a further 20 per cent on unforeseen events." The remaining 10 per cent should be used to relax.

If you have not made lists of gift ideas over the course of the year, you should get started well ahead of Christmas. "Making purchases by catalogue or via the internet is practical and saves time," Stubakow said. Things that need to be picked out in person should be purchased in the space of a day or two with the help of an itinerary.

Baking cookies is a traditional Advent activity. But you do not have to bake 20 different kinds. You can conjure up many variations of a single kind with one large batch of dough. And you and your relatives and friends can agree to bake a large quantity of one kind of cookie each, and then share among each other.

Finally, the holiday dinner. "You can buy all of the beverages and non-perishable foods in advance," Reinhardt said. That includes pre- baked rolls, frozen vegetables, and an ice cream log. A lot of things - from dumplings to baked-pastry cases - can be prepared and frozen. An alternative to Christmas goose is a simple meat dish such as fillet in puff pastry.

If your home has a "Christmas room," you can decorate the tree on December 23 and close the door. Or you can sort and lay out the candles and ornaments beforehand so that your Christmas Eve decorating goes quickly.

Eva Neumann
 
DPA 2007