With the holidays fast approaching, a dirge of dread seeps into me, though “Jingle Bells” is already haunting my local supermarket. I ask myself questions you probably ask yourself:

• Will I run ragged this holiday season?
• Will I spend too much?
• Will I miss out on important moments with my kids in my busyness?
• Will I battle regret after it’s all said and done?

There’s got to be a better way to shepherd my family through the holidays—to be able to slow down enough to enjoy each other and not get caught up in the rat race of preparation and money-frenzied spending. Here are five easy ways:

Dashing Through the Web

Take advantage of the Internet now while the holidays are still a ways away. Use your breaks strategically to shop for friends, co-workers or family members. Have online stores shipped directly to you, or to your relatives far, far away. Opt for gift-wrapping to save even more time. Worried about your privacy information? Make sure there’s a little lock icon that pops up on the Internet store you’re shopping on. Or become very familiar with one particular store you trust.

Last year, we moved from France to the United States in mid-December. What saved me hours and hours of work and shopping and preparation was ordering presents off the Internet. The kids loved their gifts, and I loved the freedom online shopping allowed me as I busied myself with moving details.       

In an Open Minded Way

Simplifying the holidays comes down to our ability to rethink them in an open-minded, level headed way. Ask yourself and your family these questions, and dare to answer them honestly:

• Do we really need to buy a present for each of the people we bought for last year?
• What would happen if we chose to fast media for the month of December?
• Will it be a good use of my time to write all my Christmas cards?
• What would it look like if I limited my cooking and baking?
• What would our holidays feel like if we spent more time at home, less time in programs, pageants or shopping?
• If we could design the perfect day of celebrating the holidays, what would it look like?
• What three activities would we really miss if we didn’t do them? Can we choose to pare down everything in favor of these three activities?
• How can we donate our time, talent or treasures this Christmas in a way that brings our family together?