1. Get your priorities right. Christmas day is just 11 days away so if you still have a lot to do beforehand then it is important you have a plan. Otherwise, the hours will just slip away and you will end up feeling frazzled before you even sit down to eat your Christmas dinner. Start by monitoring your time, this will help you pinpoint where you are wasting precious minutes. Then, make a list and decide when you are going to complete all those outstanding tasks. Your list could include everything from buying gifts, icing the Christmas cake, ensuring the chimney is clean for Santa's much awaited visit, or doing a grocery shop. If you have a lot of tasks to get through but very little time in which to do them, aim to reduce your seasonal overload by prioritising. Many of us spend up to 80 per cent of our time doing non-essential duties, according to research, so ditch these, at least until after the New Year when hopefully you will have more time.
2. Try to limit your spending. It is all too easy to get caught up in the festive shopping frenzy and go over budget at Christmas. January and February tend to be lean months when many people's cash reserves run low and the bills come crashing in. Bear that in mind when you are tempted to splash out on overpriced items or unnecessary buys. Limiting your spending is good for your pocket and your peace of mind, no-one wants to face into 2024 wondering how they are going to make ends meet.
3. Adopt a flexible approach. This form of thinking can be applied to all elements of Christmas. Setting high standards for yourself and others and expecting these rules to be adhered can be a recipe for stress and unhappiness. Instead consider compromising on everything from seasonal traditions such as when dinner should be served, to who should do the washing-up, how many days the in-laws should stay over, and how the holiday period should be spent, for example, visiting relations, going to Christmas shows, or going for a walk after dinner.
4. Make a list. This rule has served Santa well down through the generations as has checking it twice! So, take a leaf from his well thumbed book and reap the benefits of being organised. You can have lists for everything if that appeals to you. If you like giving people presents at Christmas, keep a gifting list. Make a note of what you plan to buy for your loved ones and where you think you will find it, such as in a local shop or salon, online, at a Christmas market, or whether you plan to create something for them yourself, for example, a Christmas cake, a customised hamper, a hand knitted hat and scarf, or a painting. If you come across the gift of the season, be sure to snap it up. There will be plenty of eager shoppers on the streets intent on bagging a bargain so if you are slow to strike, they will get there first. Try to choose gifts with care and most importantly, with the receiver in mind. The bottle of wine for the non-drinker, the West Ham jersey for the Arsenal supporter, or the calorie laden box of chocolates for the friend who is adhering to a strict diet are all no-nos. Aim to consider the person's likes and dislikes, hobbies, and any hints they may have given as what they would like. With a little planning, you will be able to buy thoughtful, much appreciated, and memorable gifts.
5. Be an effective communicator. Many misunderstandings arise from poor communication or failure to take into account other people's feelings. If you decide to change your Christmas plans and, if doing so, will affect other people, be sure to let them know in advance. If you are struggling financially, explain to your loved ones that you will not be spending a lot of money on gifts. If family or relations are staying with you over Christmas, ask them what they all like about Christmas and try to accommodate as many of their wishes as possible without compromising your own happiness.
6. Have realistic expectations. People try really hard to create the perfect Christmas. However, sometimes issues get in the way. Tiredness, pressure, unresolved childhood issues, over-imbibing, or anger over family members not pulling their weight can all build up and come to a head over the holiday period. Unfortunately, rows are a feature of many people's Christmases. Some families are more likely to row than others and disagree over everything from who sits in the most comfortable chair to portion sizes or family favourites. Be on high alert for signs that trouble is brewing and try to defuse situations before they escalate. Change the subject or interrupt the conversation (or argument ) with offers of second helpings. Sometimes, inviting someone outside your family circle to share Christmas dinner is a good idea. This will help dampen down family tensions because everyone will have to be on their best behaviour. While Christmas can be a wonderful, magical time, do not expect to be full of the joys of the season all the time. You may also feel bored, annoyed, sad, or stressed some days so have an action plan in place to banish the blues or calm your frazzled spirit.
7. Be tolerant. This applies to other people's moods, opinions, changes in traditions, and personal preferences, especially if entertaining in your home. This is not only the right thing to do, it will also make your life easier. Adopt the "live and let live" attitude and conserve your energy
8. Do not model yourself on Scrooge. You may have a tight budget but that does not mean that you cannot be generous. Use your imagination when choosing presents for family and friends. Remember, it is the thought that counts and gifts need not cost money. Give your time or company to someone who lives alone and would enjoy companionship, offer to babysit or walk a friend's dog, or put a gift on a giving tree. Reach out to others because Christmas is the season of goodwill.
9. Get in the Christmas spirit. You may feel overburdened in the run-up to the big day with additional demands on your time and energy. However, it is important to remind yourself that this is a special time of year. Be determined to enjoy yourself and to brighten other people's lives by giving them a smile, carrying out acts of unexpected kindness, offering a listening ear, or buying a gift for someone who has little to look forward to during the festivities.
Try to view the season through the eyes of a child and appreciate the wonder and magic of it all. The frost nipping at your fingers, the carol singers singing their hearts out on the street, the excitement of waiting for Santa's visit, the delicious aroma of Christmas pudding, and the warm glow that comes from sharing laughter with family and friends.
10. Tap into family support. Christmas is a time for giving, sharing, and celebrating. Enlist support if you feel you are shouldering too many responsibilities, or learn to take shortcuts. Remember, everything does not have to be perfect on the day.
