@datcat23 will probably appreciate this but I'm not too sure about some of the rest of you...
My best year for a stress free holiday season was the year with the best planning. Years ago I used to make gigantic cookie platters, pretty cookies, about 12-16 varieties. It was fun and by July the lucky recipients would be asking if I was going to do it again and telling me what they especially liked. Consequently I still have my master list of cookies, candies etc to pick and choose from. I don't have many people to do stuff for these days, no parties to give or attend so things are really scaled back.
The best year I decided to celebrate throughout the year. I'd do Christmas related things on the 24th and 25th, sometimes also the 23rd every month. I'd bake a cookie, maybe make a little fudge, fix a dish to try out something new. I'd also play Christmas music, put a holiday themed runner or placemats out and maybe a little decoration here or there. Sometimes I'd work on gifts or just look at ideas to jot down for later. And I'd have a little gift for OH. It was fun and relaxing.
Since I'm a big Hallowe'en fan I also celebrated a bit on the 31st every month that had one. Any excuse to get out the vintage Hallowe'en decor.