With the approach of the year’s end and a new one beginning, many of us frantically compile lists of things to finish up or initiate. Mine include holiday gift-buying, card-sending, planning a family dinner, household chores to complete before the arrival of guests, places to go and people to meet, not to mention activities related to my writing career. It’s enough to make me long for a nap. If I actually try to accomplish everything, I’m cranky, exhausted and depleted of cheer by Christmas Eve.

But a secret has been revealed to me through my own neglect. If you wait long enough, many of those little notes to yourself are out of date. You can throw them away without completing the duties! The tactic won’t work with responsibilities like filing your taxes, although you can even delay on that particular task from year to year.

This certainly alleviates some of the stress we place on ourselves to achieve each and every item on our to-do lists. For example, I’ve had a stack of bricks in my backyard for about a year, pried out from the mud by a landscaper. “Move bricks” was on my to-do list for quite some time, never to be accomplished. Then my grandkids wanted some chores for which they could earn money. Presto! They did the work, and I crossed it off the list.

Another advantage: You’re able to ponder an action from multiple perspectives, gain the advice of others and maybe even outlast a trend. When I had a house I wanted to refinance, I delayed and delayed. Over the years, the interest rate plunged steadily downward to my benefit. Procrastination: Helpful, fulfilling and stress-reducing, especially during the holidays

In terms of social interactions, I recently postponed contacting some friends I hadn’t seen in awhile. They finally reached out to me with invitations to their homes. What a great way to keep in touch without having to put forth effort to plan a party or organize an outing, thereby eliminating another bunch of chores to be completed!

The hallmark of holidays is gift giving. Who doesn’t enjoy the look of wonder on the faces of loved ones when the gift’s perfect? I used to spend an eternity each December compiling lists of gift ideas, comparing prices, slogging from store to store, elbowing other shoppers out of the way to grab the last game and wrapping items in paper and ribbons soon to be discarded. About 50 percent of the time, however, the looks recipients gave me were of polite acknowledgment or puzzled inquiry.

One year I was so late in my shopping that come Christmas Eve all I had at hand was money. Out came the checkbook; into holiday cards went the funds. Sure enough, crows of delight echoed around the tree. Why not give people what they really want? Not only do I slash the number of hours I spend shopping, but I help my gift recipients eliminate the chore of returning unwanted presents.

This holiday season, try a little procrastination yourself. You may find you’re happier, and so are the folks around you