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Published on: 12/1/2002
Last Visited: 12/1/2002
Elizabeth Donnelly has three rules for Christmas, and one of them is to take a weekday off from work to do her shopping.The dean of students at Oklahoma City University awakens early and gets it done so she doesn't have to go on the weekends, when the malls and stores are more crowded.
Her second rule is to not expect too much from herself.Rather than worrying about getting the perfect gift, she buys gift certificates.If she doesn't have time to make a dish for a potluck, she buys one.The latter goes along with her third rule: Don't worry about baking during the hectic holidays.
She sometimes conspires with a friend when she knows she will need extra dishes for gatherings.They double their three best recipes and swap the second batches, so they each end up with six dishes and less work.
"I just try to make my priorities," Donnelly said.
The Oklahoma City resident is involved in Leadership Oklahoma City and coaches volleyball at Christ the King Catholic Church.Her children, Mary, 13, and Will, 11, will have holiday parties at school, and she has work-related Christmas plans.
Donnelly tries to preserve the week between Christmas and New Year's Day as family time and limits their activities.
"We get invited to so many parties, but you have to say no sometimes," she said.