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Everyone remembers where they were when it happened. For me, it was last week, just a witch's hair past Halloween. I was in line at the CVS. And I heard it. "Jingle Bell Rock."

Now, I love holiday season as much as the next Yuletide elf. I love how it doses wintertime with a sleigh's worth of twinkle. The Christmas spirit, the good will towards man, the candy canes. I'm into it. But before Thanksgiving? Hearing the relentlessly upbeat "Jingle Bell Rock" can set your teeth on edge any time of year, I suppose, but hearing it last week inspired a sinking sense of dread. You are already behind on your Christmas shopping, was the message I was meant to receive, and receive it I did. Also, Lines at CVS take way too long.

Christmas seems to sneak up on us earlier and earlier every year, but at least there is one bastion of relative sanity in the sea of premature cheer: Nordstrom's. According to the Boston Herald, every year Nordstrom's hangs a sign that reads: "We won’t be decking our halls until Nov. 25. Why? Well, we just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time." I could see how, especially in a time of recession, any retail outfit would feel tempted to join in the sale-offering fray, and it's nice to see that someone is trying to stay a tiny bit sane. I'm not the only one who feels this way, either.  As one Nordstrom shopper told the Boston Herald, "It puts a stress on you when it’s too early." Right? And, as I ask myself every year (and on every holiday), why should a holiday be stressful? Aren't they supposed to be fun?

So I'm putting myself on a strict, Nordstrom's-inspired, holiday fun plan. No stressing out. Here are five steps for a stress-free holiday. I think I'm going to start with assessing my holiday plans and decoding who they are actually for, what can stay and what can go. For example, I'm pretty sure the kids don't care if I make every dish from scratch. Decorating the tree and carrying on our tradition of sledding in the park on Christmas Day? Those have to stay.

But wait, before that, I'm going to finish my kids' Halloween candy and look up a Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. One. Holiday. At. A. Time. Here we go.

More ways to avoid seasonal stress:
Quick tips for happy holidays
Get organized and stay sane
Three experts on avoiding holiday freakouts