Christmas is a wonderful time for family and friends. It may be the only time in the year that the whole family can get together. Stretching out your Christmas activities over a longer period of time can really reduce your holiday stress. Instead, some people view the Christmas season as a time for stress, juggling visits to relatives and buying things for people who have everything.
Here are some practical suggestions that can help you reduce your stress levels at Christmas time:-
- Start your preparations early. That way you won’t be running around at the last minute trying to find that much wanted present for your relative or friend. If you see it in the shop, buy it. Because you can guarantee that if you put off buying it, it won’t be available when you return.
· Make Lists. Write down the names of all relatives and friends you need to buy presents for plus extras for surprise guests or gifts from others. Email family and friends to ask them to give you an idea of what they would like. Not everybody prepares early so be prepared to have to wait for a few days for a response. Make sure that you agree on spending limits; the cost will soon add up if you come from a large family and you’re spending $20 - $30 on each relative. If you can’t agree, set yourself a limit and stick to it.
· Spread the cost:- Christmas gifts are in the shops from as early as October. Buy a present each time you go shopping - it will help to spread the cost. Look for special offers in the shops, some shops do buy one get one free or three for the price of two. Wrap and label them when you get them home; that way you won’t be up wrapping a huge pile of presents on Christmas Eve!
Some of your groceries can be bought in advance. Buy some of your non-perishables each time you go shopping, for example tins, packets, jars or bottles.
Plan ahead. I have spent many years chasing around on Christmas Eve exchanging presents with family and friends to find them not ready on the exchange day. We have now come to an agreement that we need to exchange earlier as it is my Christmas as well, if they’re not ready to exchange then they have to come to me when they’re ready.
Arrange visits to family and friends at the beginning of December and not in the week leading up to Christmas, that way you will get round to seeing everybody. Exchange bags of presents and have some time to yourself just before Christmas.
Share the chores. If you have children, you can task them with helping you to decorate the tree or to write the Christmas cards. Some of them might even enjoy helping you to wrap the presents.
Sure, some stress is inevitable, but being "stressed out" isn't. Christmas happens every year, as long as you plan and prepare you can help to reduce your stress levels and make it and enjoyable event for all.
