Christmas is here! While the holidays are a time for family gatherings, eating, drinking and being merry – the festive season can also be a stressful time for many.
If you’re looking for ways to enjoy Christmas without being a grinch, you’re in the right place.
Plan
The best way to enjoy Christmas is to go into the day with a plan. Doing so will allow you to calm any nerves that you have and prepare yourself for where and when you’ll be celebrating.
Some suggestions include:
- Know where you need to be and at what time
- Allow for traffic – we all know Christmas Day is filled with traffic
- Arm yourself with a backup gift – this can come in handy and save you from embarrassment if you receive an unexpected gift throughout the day. A small box of chocolates or bottle of wine generally works well
Manage your expectations
Many people start the festive season with lofty aspirations of having the best Christmas ever or a ‘perfect’ Christmas. Our advice is not to go the way of the grinch, but to manage your expectations so you’re not disappointed on the day.
Some suggestions include:
- Be realistic – Christmas is a joyful time, but it’s only one day
- Don’t allow yourself to get into debt trying to impress others – your time and attention is the best present
- Avoid conflict and arguments if they’re not going to solve anything – this goes for aunts and uncles who can never seem to agree on anything or be pleasant around the dinner table
Have a back-up plan
There will be times when Christmas turns pear-shaped. Maybe your kids are bored at great aunt Martha’s house, or you overindulged at the dinner table and are feeling worse for wear. Having a back-up plan will ensure your Christmas stays on track without any sign or feelings of grinch behaviour.
Some suggestions include:
- Plan a handful of activities to keep little ones entertained after dinner – this could be backyard sports, Christmas movies, or stories
- Aim to indulge without overindulging – enjoy food and drink in moderation to ensure you’re able to manage the rest of the day without worries
- Take the family for a walk after dinner – you’ll digest your meal and give everyone a chance to burn off some Christmas energy
- Show thanks to your loved ones – after the year that has been 2021, be sure to enjoy every moment with friends and family
What’s next?
If you’re still looking for Christmas survival tips, our My Christmas Sorted! online course could be perfect for you. It may even stop you from becoming a grinch.
To learn more about the course content and how it can teach you to enjoy your Christmas celebrations visit our website today.
