The thought of enjoying a stress free Christmas seems like an impossibility for most of us. It should be a time of joy and relaxation but it often turns into a chaotic rush. There’s so many presents to buy and the dreaded Christmas day feast to prepare. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to ensure you remain calm and collected, right up to the big day.
Shop early
The thought of Christmas shopping fills many people with dread and anxiety. Navigating the crowded malls desperately in search of that special gift can affect the most hardened shopaholic. Getting this task done as early as possible will avoid the Christmas queues and you won’t feel pressured to buy those questionable socks for your father. Be sure to avoid weekends and try to shop during school hours.
If it’s getting close to Christmas and you still haven’t found all your gifts, try purchasing online. You can easily browse through endless products from the comfort of your own home. It’s also a good way to find some bargains and if you’re not satisfied, you can always return for a refund or exchange.
Food & drink
We’re all guilty of leaving the food preparation until the very last minute. Visits to the supermarket on Christmas Eve can be tiring and waste valuable hours. Start a check-list a few weeks before the big event and list anything that may be needed. You can always add to this as you think of more items. Purchase any non-perishable goods and table decorations well in advance, such as Christmas crackers. You can also consider which foods can be kept in the freezer, so that you will only need to collect a few items in the last few days.
Ask for help
No one should be responsible for all the cooking and hosting of the Christmas day festivities. If you are welcoming guests, don’t be shy to ask them to bring different selections of food or maybe even parts of the meal. They’ll more than likely be flattered that you asked for their hand made stuffing and should be happy to share the burden. This leaves more time to spend with your family without having to spend the day slaving behind a hot stove.
Relax and enjoy
If you’ve been rushing frantically in the run up to Christmas, it’s now time to relax and take a deep breath. Be sure to make time for activities that you enjoy whether that be painting, reading or exercising. Going for a long walk is often all that’s needed to lift your mood and revitalize your mind. If you enjoy a drink, be sure to practice moderation. Too much alcohol can act as a depressant and will dehydrate you.
Celebrating the most wonderful time of year doesn’t have to be hard work. A little planning goes a long way. If you follow these steps you can enjoy a Merry Christmas and go into the New Year feeling great.
Images by Ron Cogswell and Aldan Beanland used under the Creative Commons license.
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