California, USA - Chaldeans are busily preparing for the holidays.  The community is getting ready for big family dinners, the traditional extended family tours, and the hectic gift giving calculations.  It arrives at the same time every year, and yet Chaldeans continue to get confused, stressed, and frustrated over the potential holiday madness. Chaldean holiday preparations can be less taxing for Chaldeans if these 7 simple steps are followed. 

Step 1 - BE PREPARED
Create a budget for your gift purchases, a list of who has been nice, and stick to it. Chaldeans have huge families and trying to buy a gift for every cousin, friend, neighbor, or employee will have you filing for bankruptcy.  Chaldeans are generous and charitable, but a line has to be drawn.  Create a gift list to fight the urge of seeing an item on clearance that you think would be perfect for someone not on your list.  Write down a few ideas for presents, based on the preferences of those on the list and hints they have given you throughout the year.

Step 2 - SLOW DOWN
Use slow times to run your errands so that you won't burn out. Shop for groceries in early mornings or late evenings (not during lunch hour or after work), visit the malls during your lunch break while others are at work or in the classroom, and try to avoid standing in line if at all possible. Talk with siblings and friends on your shopping efforts.  Perhaps you can pick something up for them while you’re out and vice versa.

Step 3 - LIMIT INTERRUPTIONS
Learn how to screen incoming interruptions to eliminate stress at work and at home. Use voicemail, caller ID., and email filters to avoid chaos creators.

Step 4 - HELPING HANDS
Turn the big Chaldean dinner feasts, shopping demands, and decoration duties into a family fun gathering.  Invite friends and young kids to help with babysitting, cooking foods, or decorating.  Holiday duties done with friends and family are fun.  Decorating two homes together is better than each one decorating their own.  Same goes with food preparations, shopping, gift wrapping, or watching over toddlers. 

Step 5 - DELEGATE
Delegate simple decorating and gift-wrapping tasks to others or take advantage of charity wrap centers. Small children love to help by adding bows or gift tags to presents.  Youth groups at Chaldean churches often try to raise funds by wrapping gifts for busy people or running basic errands.    

Step 6 - GAME PLAN
Create a game plan for your holiday meal ahead of time.  List what items will be needed, who can help, the best time to prepare portions of the meal and gather all the wonderful Chaldean family recipes.

Step 6 - TAKE INVENTORY
Take an inventory of the linen closet, kitchen serving ware, and other common items that may be needed over the holiday.  Visualize the entire event and figure out what you may possibly need.  This includes the medicine cabinet.  The less surprises the less stress.

Step 7 - THE MAIN EVENT
Start the morning with easy preparations in the kitchen, leaving other items for the last minute. Chop vegetables, mix dips, then assemble snack trays for munching. Put the turkey in the oven, set the table, and bake pies. Leave candles, music, and last minute preparations for later. Leave the house to take a stroll around the block, enjoy a bubblebath, or listen to some relaxing music before your family or friends arrive. Enjoy yourself-- you've earned it!

And the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas, make next year's "to do" so that you won't have to work so hard again and all the great ideas are fresh in your mind.  Shop year round for gifts, decorations, and cards for those you love. Keep a running list of things you need, should not do again, and tips for making things easier on you and your household. Getting organized for the holidays is truly a process, not a product, but with some effective planning you can enjoy the journey.

Have a happy Chaldean Holiday!