Tips for a stress free Christmas
We all have the ideal, dreamy Christmas in our heads, I’m definitely guilty of it! I often day dream about the festivities, the parties, tree decorating, Christmas crafts and baking, stockings, pantomimes, Christmas Markets, festive food and gift giving to loved ones. Sounds dreamy doesn’t it? But in reality, Christmas can actually be a stressful time, we put so much pressure on ourselves to make sure it is ‘perfect’ that we often find ourselves in a panic of wanting everything to be right, we often put ourselves out of pocket to try keep up with the gift giving ideology, let’s be honest, we all know deep down what the Christmas of Spirit really is, yet we add this pressure on to ourselves every year! So today, I’m going to share with you some tips, to hopefully make the festive period less stressful and full with Christmas spirit instead.
1) Think about what really matters: Try plan your Christmas around what matters to you. We may see Christmas done different on adverts, social media and TV but don’t let that drip into your head. We all know it’s more the small things that matter the most, so if that means getting the loved ones together, to simply eat and drink too much whilst watching them old cheesy films then so be it! Christmas is something you should feel.
2) Try to slow it down: I feel like when it comes to Christmas, we try to cram everything in and do as much as possible. Rather than booking every Christmas activity going, why not choose to do a couple, the rest can wait for another year, which will continue that buzz of excitement.
3) Make time to relax: Christmas time often brings large to do lists which we feel we have to plough straight away, effecting our own Christmas spirit. Why not break the list down and in between squeeze in some time of self-care, whether that be a pamper evening, snuggling down with hot chocolates and a good film/book or taking time to go see those who matter the most.
4) Take a break from the news/social media- If your overwhelmed with the thought of Christmas, sometimes the news and social media can heighten this. Whether it is the doom or gloom stories, or comparing yourself to what others have/may be doing, it can definitely dampen the Christmas mood.
5) Don’t try to go bigger or better: Get the idea out of your head that there needs to be more presents or the Christmas tree needs to be bigger or more decorations are needed. Don’t compare what you have to others, as I’ve said Christmas is a feeling, so enjoy what you have and forget what others around you may be doing.
6) You can say no!: There are so many social events happening around Christmas, so don’t put pressure on yourself to attend everything. Save get togethers for your closest friends and family, keeping your gatherings small and low key. The big blow out parties can happen some other time when there isn’t as much pressure weighing you down. Those that matter won’t mind and those who mind, won’t matter.
7) Have a Christmas Budget: Personally, this tip really has helped me this year. I often go crazy at Christmas and find myself still paying for this in the new year. So this year, I’ve budgeted and been able to make a plan for my money and this year I feel will be the first one in a while where I’m not playing catch up! Having a budget really does help with impulse buying as I have had to think carefully about the purchases I have made. So yes, make a budget and stick to it, it is as simple as that.
8) Simplify Christmas Dinner: My favourite part of Christmas is the dinner, you really can’t beat it! However, don’t over complicate it either! Cooking Christmas dinner really can be a stressful experience, especially if the food your cooking is something different just for the occasion, if you’re having a number of meats on the go, or if you are doing a number of courses. For the past few years, we have chosen a meat, we have chosen things we enjoy and wouldn’t be eating for the sake of it to accompany the meat and we now stick to just one course with treats and goodies to follow later in the day. Try to cut down on the amount you serve too, I think it’s better to finish your dinner than to be over faced and left with things on your plate. I’ve noticed by doing this, time spent in the kitchen has reduced but so have left overs too!
9) Make your own traditions: There are so many different Christmas traditions out there, don’t feel you have to adopt them all! So what if your Christmas traditions are a little different, I think it’s more special to have your own little ways rather than following the crowd.
10) Don’t let the sales get into your head: We all know Christmas means sales in shops. Whether it is Black Friday, Boxing Day Sales or January Sales. Before joining in with the manic and frantic shopping, have a think, do you really need to and are you buying things for the sake of it? Remember your budget! I have never taking part in a Boxing Day or January sale event and I can’t say I feel like I’m missing out. I’d much rather have a lazy, cosy boxing day than getting up early to join the herd of people.
So here are my tips to make Christmas a little easier this year. Will I follow my own advice? That’s debateable, but I really do hope these help you to remember what is important and to keep the Christmas spirit alive.
