Want to avoid the usual stress of the season? Then start now

For the rest of us, however, who vow that "this year is going to be different," there's still plenty of time. According to a recent poll by organizedchristmas.com, an online organizing plan, now is the time that most people get going. These 10 tips can help you fret less and enjoy more.

Make a plan. Then cut it in half. According to Cynthia Townley Ewer, editor of organizedchristmas.com, a little planning now can save a lot of stress later. "If you're starting a week or two before Thanksgiving, then make a list of the entertaining, baking, and other activities you want to do and cut them in half," she says. Setting reasonable, attainable goals is the best way to cut down on your stress level and to be happy about what you have accomplished.

Freeze extra meals. According to Ewer, especially those with families to feed can do themselves a favor by having ready-to-heat meals in the freezer. "Whether you prepare them yourself or buy them at Costco, being able to feed your family a good meal during the month of December without having to cook takes a lot of stress out of the busiest month of the year. When the family is happy, the cook is happy," she says.

Shop by theme. Try to shop by theme for the majority of the people on your list and limit the number of stores you go into. Julie Morgenstern, author of "Organizing from the Inside Out" (Owl Books), says that if you choose a theme -- say funky scarves, books, or music -- you should be able to do all of your shopping in two or three stores and in one or two well-planned shopping trips. (Yes, says Morgenstern, on-line shopping counts as a shopping trip.) Make a good list and stick to it. "If you're organized about it, you can do it," she says. "Don't start wandering aisles looking for inspiration. It's unpleasant and anxiety-provoking."

Schedule. Schedule. Schedule. Morgenstern says that waiting until you're "in the mood" to go shopping or to do some wrapping is a recipe for disaster. Look at your calendar now and figure out when you can fit in a shopping excursion or two and some wrapping sessions. Then stick to it. Same goes for fun stuff. Want to take the kids on a ride to see the Christmas lights? Pick a date, put it on the calendar, and go.

Develop a signature gift. Hostesses, mail carriers, teachers, anyone to whom you'd like to give a little something will be delighted to receive your signature gift. Blank suggests a holiday coffee blend, hand-dipped candles, or a particular bottle of wine. Whatever it is, stock up on it so you can grab it and go. People will look forward to receiving it year after year, and you'll cut out hours of shopping. You also can receive discounts on items, such as wine, that you purchase in quantity.

Do one thing differently. Since this is not the year you're going to have everything purchased and wrapped by Thanksgiving, try to do one thing differently to make your holiday more enjoyable. Lynn Johnson, a professional organizer from Quincy and owner of Working Order, says it is OK to make a change that makes sense for you. An example? "Decide now that you're going to send out New Year's cards instead of Christmas cards and answer the notes you get from other people." You can even decide not to send cards at all.

Do a little at a time. If the thought of decorating the whole house seems overwhelming, do a little bit each day for however long it takes. Gina Vita, a super-organized mother of two, decorates a room per night and says that organizing decorations as you put them away at the end of the season is crucial. Put all of your living room decorations in one box, dining room decorations in another, and so on. It may take a little extra time to put things away this year, but will save lots of time next year.

Remember how you decorated. If you like the way your mantelpiece, front door, or banister turns out this year, jot down what you did or take a picture of it. Otherwise, it's hard to remember from year to year. Vita keeps a Christmas notebook in which she notes how much fresh greenery she needed to buy to decorate around the front door and quantities of other items that need to be purchased fresh. If you took a decorating chance that didn't work out, make a note of that, too. File the information with the decorations so it will be handy next year.

Stick to what you know. If you do entertain this season, prepare recipes you've been successful with and that you know are crowd pleasers. Now is not the time to start experimenting, Morgenstern says. If your guests want to bring a dish, let them. Blank says delegating vegetables, salads, and other foods that need to be prepared on the day of your party will reduce the amount of time you need to spend in the kitchen and free up refrigerator space.

Stop trying to be perfect. Are you putting off purchasing gifts because you can't find the perfect thing? Neglecting to decorate the mantel because you're not sure where to place the candles, the greens, the lights? According to Tom Greenspon, author of "Freeing Our Families from Perfectionism" (Free Spirit), the fear of not doing something perfectly can sometimes lead to not doing it at all. Think about what you're trying to accomplish this season and why. Talk to your family and friends about what your priorities are for the holiday season. It may be time to start doing less and enjoying more.