It's Nov. 27, that means 10 days until Hanukkah and 28 until Christmas Day

It's Nov. 27, that means 10 days until Hanukkah and 28 until Christmas Day.

So your presents are bought and wrapped, cards are in the mail, meals are planned and you're ready to sit back and relax, right?

Doubtful.

"We get so excited about the holidays," says Whitefish organizing consultant Dru Jackman, "but they're really stressful."

The holiday clock is ticking, but that doesn't mean it's time to panic, she says.

There are ways to maintain your sanity, and even relax and enjoy the season (although that may seem unfathomable while you're standing shoulder to shoulder in lines at the cash register or trying to finish costumes for the Christmas pageant).

What's a busy person to do?

Before you run out to buy gifts and put up decorations, consider what the holidays mean to you, Jackman says. If what you love is being with family, make an effort to spend less time running around and more time at home with loved ones.

Cynthia Townley Ewer of Washington state, who runs the Web site organizedchristmas.com, recommends asking family members, especially children, what they remember about past holidays.

"The answers really tend to surprise you," she says.

Parents might anticipate children will mention presents, but they often talk about what they did, such as making cookies as a family. The things they remember will clue you into what you need or want to do during the holidays.

"If you're in touch with your values," she says, "it's going to be much less stressful."

Townley Ewer and Jackman recommend making a list next. Start by making a giant list, then with those values in mind, weed out what you need to do from what you want to do.

"I think it's nice to go the extra mile," Jackman says, "but not when it bounces back and smacks you in the face."

Many people stress themselves out over the holidays because they have unrealistic ideas of what others expect from them, she says.

Jackman gives the example of when she had company coming to visit and she felt she absolutely had to paint the bathroom before they arrived. When she thought about it, though, she realized her friends probably wouldn't care what color the room was.

"People don't expect you to paint the bathroom," she says. "If you have garbage in the front yard, yeah, that's something you should do."

Likewise, even on the things you need to accomplish, feel free to take shortcuts, Townley Ewer advises.

If the important thing is to get gifts wrapped, save time by using gift bags instead of boxes, wrapping paper and tape. And children will have just as much fun making cookies with store-bought dough and frosting as they would with homemade ingredients.

You also can cut down on stress by thinking before you act, Jackman says. Don't go shopping without a list, whether it's for presents or groceries. You'll waste time wandering the aisles if you don't know what you're looking for.

But do what works for you, the women say. If one suggestion doesn't fit you, don't do it.

Alisha Linn of Kalispell formed a group of women who got together each month to make holiday cards.

Now that the holiday season approaches, all she has to do is sign them and send them off. But Linn admits that cards are the only holiday task she does in advance.

Another key component to stress-free or at least lower-stress holidays is delegation. Asking for help is crucial, and almost everybody is willing to pitch in, Jackman and Townley Ewer say. But be aware that when you give responsibility to someone else you can't expect him or her to do it your way.

"You have to give up the standards to give up the work," Townley Ewer says.

And if you're overwhelmed by all these suggestions, pick just one and try it, Jackman says. If it works, great. If not, try another until you run out of time.

Reporter Camden Easterling can be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at ceasterling@dailyinterlake.com