How to Have a Stress-Free Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner, and it is a great time of joy for most. But for some, the month precludes a time of great stress and angst.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Did you know, you can have a great Christmas and still keep your sleep?

The 5 Steps to a Stress-free Christmas are:

1. Plan ahead

Poor organisation is something that affects many people. Consider the number of times you have had to pull an all-nighter to complete a task you put off for too long. If you identify with this, then poor planning, is likely to contribute to Christmas anxiety.

Fortunately, the fix is simple.

Attempt to tackle these logistics as early as possible:

Find out who is hosting Christmas lunch. If it’s you, try to get a head count, so there are no surprises at the dining table. Leave a space or two in case of unexpected guests, such as your child inviting his new girlfriend at the last minute.
Delegate parts of the meal to other family members. If you are hosting, you will likely be responsible for the main course, for traditional households that means the turkey. However, you do not have to be responsible for every dish. Ask your relatives to supplement the feast with their dishes, so you don’t feel all the pressure.
Find out when your guests are arriving. Many people have to juggle visiting multiple families on the one day, and as a result, not everyone will arrive at the same time. Enquire with these guests whether they will require food and negotiate a time when everyone can sit down and eat.

2. Send Out Christmas E-Cards

Tis the season to be thankful, but if the mere thought of handwriting two dozen Christmas cards makes your wrists cramp then there is a problem. Fortunately, there is an answer.

E-cards!

E-cards are great, nifty pieces of digital content that are ten times more versatile than physical greeting cards. They are highly customisable, easy to create and convenient as users are capable of sending out multiple cards at once.

Furthermore, many e-card websites like Punchbowl offer their services absolutely free.

3. Close/Lock the Doors to Off-Limit Rooms

Children are typically at their most active when Christmas day arrives. If you are expecting many children to visit for lunch, odds are high they won’t be sitting still very much. They will spend the majority of their time, on their feet, being active.

Being on the lookout for trouble is simply not feasible when you already have a full plate of things to do.

Some children love to explore, and their curiosity may lead them to rooms of the house you would rather have left alone, such as the bedroom or your study. If you want to keep them out, make sure the doors to such areas are closed and earn piece of mind.

4. Buy Christmas Presents Early

Christmas time is a busy time for retailers and shopkeepers the world over. Meaning products sell out much faster than usual.

Find out what your family and friends want in late November, early December and get your shopping done pronto.

If your schedule is too hectic to find time to go into a store. Do so online; many major retailers have optimised their stores for smart devices meaning you can do your Christmas shopping all from the palm of your hand.