Between the presents and the parties and the pressure of full-family get-togethers, Christmas can be a truly crazy time of year. But December doesn’t need to give you premature greys. Follow our top tips to keep cool, calm and collected this silly season…
Make a list and check it twice
Ask anyone who’s an A+ organiser the secret to their skills and they’ll tell you – it’s all about writing lists. Whether you’re trying to keep track of your gifts, cooking or commitments, it helps to have it all written down. Start by downloading our gift list printable – it’ll help you plan what to buy for everyone on your list (while keeping your budget under control!).
Start prepping early
The mince pies have arrived on supermarket shelves, so take that as your cue to start prepping for Christmas. The more you can get sorted now, the less last-minute panic you’ll be dealing with come December. Knock over any big cleaning jobs around the house, organise your cards and write a few each day, buy a few early gifts and get your wrapping paper, tags and sticky tape sorted. It’s also a good idea to stow away a few spare pressies to avoid any ‘shoot-we-forgot-to-buy-great-aunt-Shirley-a-gift’ emergency trips to the shops.
Share the load
We’ve got three words for you: Delegate! Delegate! Delegate! (Well, technically it’s only one word, but we really wanted to drill it home.) Think about what tasks you can palm off to family and friends – maybe your mates can bring a plate to your annual Christmas party, or your teen can report for backyard broom duty. Christmas is about bringing people together, after all…
Ride the silly season wave
If you’ve watched pretty much any Christmas movie (The Santa Clause, Jingle All The Way, The Family Stone), you will know that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year utter chaos. Instead of trying to make everything perfect, embrace the craziness of the season and accept that things are probably going to go haywire and someone is probably going to burn a turkey, forget an important present or be driven to a meltdown by their lunatic in-laws. It might even be you! Just write up to holiday ‘fun’.
Take some time out
The festive season is very go, go, go! But it’s important to slow down and take a moment (or two) for yours truly. Maybe you meditate for five minutes each day, maybe you roll out the mat for some yoga, or maybe you pour yourself a giant glass of liquid yoga and relax on the couch to watch It’s a Wonderful Life for 596th time. You do you.
Balance your meals
If there was ever a time to OD on turkey and stuffing, it’s Christmas. But between the party canapés, the big feasts and the copious cocktails, it’s easy to overdo it on the food front and be left feeling a bit ‘blah’. So when you’re not in full festive mode nourish your bod with healthy whole grains, fresh fruit and veg, and water! And for the love of Mariah, don’t drink on an empty stomach. No one needs to hear your drunk version of All I Want For Christmas…
Stay mindful
When it all feels like it’s getting too much, stop and take a few deep breaths. It’s important to stay calm and remind yourself what makes the festive season so special to you. Try to do at least a few Christmassy activities – think watching a classic movie, baking Christmas cookies and putting on your favourite carols – to help evoke the magic of the holidays.
PS. Eight new takes on the traditional advent calendar and could this be your new Christmas tradition?
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