Christmas — the most joyful season of the year. Yet, it is also the most stressful.

The season used to make its presence felt on a cheery note, with Christmas carols blaring on the radio with disc jocks eager to announce the arrival of the holidays, no matter how premature. What used to give us a warm feeling and a sense of peace and goodwill suddenly become so irritating that one wanted to wear a headset and drown oneself with soft rock or jazz fusion, even OPM (but please no more Christmas in our Hearts!).

Because of these, one might feel compelled to start a Christmas list bearing names of godchildren, best friends, not-so-best friends — and sadly — even names of people one hardly likes. You now have to shop for Noche Buena staples for the holiday table, with an eye for what's on sale at and online shops cooperating in the effort "to avoid the holiday rush."

You even start decorating in late October with fairy lights, faux Christmas trees trimmed with snowmen, reindeers, and Santa Clauses climbing the ladder with sacks filled with toys and candy canes.

You now think of what dress or suit to wear for the annual office Christmas party that had to be far more glamorous or suave than what you donned last year.

All these overhasty preparations often lead to pressure and tension: penny-pinching so the budget can accommodate the sudden surge in expenses. Deadlines were not met because shopping expeditions took longer than usual — short-fused tempers triggered by imagined hurts or simple, solvable arguments.

Stressful situations are likely to arise, especially during the holiday season, but these are not entirely without solutions.

Consider these: You may have set your expectations too high, so slight flaws become major errors. Didn't meet the highest target (although you exceeded last year's)? It is not a perfect world, and imperfections are okay, but make sure these episodes are not frequent.

Accept people for what they are, even if you think you deserve the best. But try to bring out the best in them. Kindness begets kindness. Be firm but not harsh. There's nothing like a smile or a reassuring word to make someone happy, even for a moment. Days of sunshine are more welcome than rainy days and Mondays.