This holiday season can be a joyous one, yet overwhelming one - especially when individuals have idealized images of the holidays. Idealized images foster high expectations for many persons. The media often enhances holiday expectations through advertisements, Christmas catalogs, and the all time favorite "make your wish list for Santa." To avoid holiday blues when experiences do not coincide with ideal images, you can lower your expectations and follow the following basic rules.

You can practice the following tips to avoid the holiday blues:

• Develop realistic expectations
• Plan and prioritize your time.
• Develop a holiday budget based on what you can afford and stick to it.
• Practice wise shopping compare prices and watch for sales.
• If cooking plan menus ahead, prepare in advance what you can and most of all keep it simple.
• Shop early to avoid crowds and impulse buying.
• Limit gift giving when possible.
• Consider forming holiday goals to ease anxiety.
• Take care of yourself.
• Be creative every family is different and unique from your own holiday style.
• Say "no" when possible. Avoid extending yourself to please others.

# # #

For more information on coping with holiday stress, contact your Southern University Ag Center parish agent or visit www.suagcenter.com.

Contact:
Southern University Ag Center Extension Agent Karen Stevens at (225) 389-2056 or karen_stevens@suagcenter.com.