I usually start after Thanksgiving making cookie dough. I put it in 1qt freezer bags, smush it done to about 1" thick, seal it up and put it in the freezer. I make all different kinds of dough but I don't bake any until later. Anytime a quick tray of cookies is needed for guests, a small gift, etc., I can just take out several different bags, cut off a strip or two, cut them into 1" cubes and in about 10 minutes I have a whole tray of assorted cookies still warm from the oven. I also start addressing my cards and decorating about then. I don't plan to do more than 4 hrs worth of anything on any given day. That way it doesn't wear me down. The last thing I do is to really question myself on what is and isn't important. If there's a party, dinner or shopping trip that I don't absolutely have to go to I politely decline. Remember, if you decline that's one less person that they have to plan for too.