6 Simple Tips for a Stress-free Christmas!
The holidays are a joyous time of year but can also be stressful. From shopping for gifts to hosting family gatherings, there’s a lot to do and only a little time to do it. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are six helpful tips for a stress-free Christmas so you can enjoy the holidays to the fullest.
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6 Simple Tips for a Stress-free Christmas:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Or is it? For many people, Christmas is a time of stress and anxiety. Work commitments, family dynamics, and financial pressures can all create a perfect storm of holiday stress. But it doesn’t have to be this way! You can do plenty of things to beat Christmas stress and enjoy the festive season.
So, if you’re feeling frazzled or stressed at the thought of Christmas this year, take some time out and make yourself an action plan.
To help you out, here are my 6 best tips for a stress-free Christmas:
1. Sort Out Finances:
One of the biggest contributors to stress at Christmas is how much it is all going to cost. Presents, gift wrap, decorations, and food and drink costs can add up considerably, taking their toll on an already stretched budget.
To help elevate financial stress at Christmas, you can put in place several different options:
Set a budget – If you have a lot of gifts to buy then the costs can seriously add up! Why not agree beforehand on what you are willing to spend on each person? This can be especially difficult as a parent as you don’t want to disappoint anyone. However, it can also send out an important message; after all, gifts aren’t everything; it’s the time you spend together that counts!
Start saving – If possible, start in January by putting aside a small amount each month. By the end of the year, you will have a little lump sum that may not pay for everything but it will at least take the sting out of it. This may not help this year, but it will help next year.
Keep track of your Christmas savings with my free 50-week Christmas Savings tracker.
Prepare as early as possible – Just like the previous point, this won’t necessarily help this year but will help in years to come. After Christmas comes all the January sales! Why not make use of them and stock up on discounted wrapping paper, cards, decorations and even some great presents?
Handmade presents – Why not try some homemade presents this year? You will reduce costs, and handmade presents will mean so much more to the recipient.
Read more: 30 DIY Mason jar Christmas gift ideas.
Don’t go above your means – As tempting as it may be to go overboard or, even worse, take out a loan, it will leave you in a worse financial situation in the long run. The best bet is to find out how much you can spend and stick to it no matter what!
2. Make a List:
Making lists is one of my best tips for organising your life. I make a list for practically everything! Sometimes, thinking about everything you need to do and buy at Christmas can feel overwhelming. However, try writing down everything on a list to avoid unnecessary stress this Christmas.
Presents – Who do you need to buy presents for? Write them all down, along with gift ideas for each person. If you are sticking to a budget, write down what that is for each person as well.
Download my free Christmas Gift List and start getting organised now.
Christmas card list – Write down all the contacts you wish to send a card to. You can then divide these into local and non-local and add all the last posting dates for each area.
Party guest lists—Who’s invited? This is a great way to keep up with RSVPs. Just tick people off as and when they confirm. If they ask, you could also add what you would like each guest to bring with them.
To-do list—This is pretty obvious, but write a list of everything that needs to be done before Christmas. This could include any home repairs, cleaning schedules, shopping tasks, or even when to put up decorations.
Important dates – List all important dates, such as last postal dates, party invitations, kids’ activities or even when your favourite Christmas movies are on TV. Once you have your list, pin it somewhere, such as on the fridge or notice board. Somewhere, you can see it daily; this way, you will always know what’s happening throughout the festive period.
3. Plan Meals Early:
Don’t leave things until the last minute, especially regarding food. Plan and list everything you need to prepare for Christmas Day or any parties or get-togethers you may be organising. Making a list of everything you need and what to serve your guests will save you so much time and stress! I like to also plan what items can be made or prepared well in advance.
You can easily prepare many Christmas dinner favourites in advance and freeze them ready for the big day. Items include gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce and even brandy butter. Other items, such as vegetables and potatoes, can also be prepared the day before. Part boil vegetables, wrap in clingfilm and store in the fridge. Potatoes can be peeled and stored in a bowl of covered water overnight, too.
Check out the BBC Good Food Guide for more ideas and Christmas recipes that can be made beforehand.
4. Get the Decorations out Early:
One of the most frustrating things I find at Christmas is sorting out the decorations, finding lights that don’t work, and finding broken ornaments. Now, while you really can’t help this happening occasionally. Getting all the decorations out of storage and going through them when you have the time to do so properly is much less stressful.
By getting them out earlier and going through them properly, you will have more time to get them repaired or buy replacements. Once you know all the decorations are in good working order, organise a day dedicated to putting them up and having a big switch on! This is great if you have children, as you can make a day of it without having any unhappy kids when the lights don’t work!
5. Declutter:
For most people, Christmas means more people, food, and presents. To make life easier, why not have a good declutter, making way for all things new? Decluttering doesn’t have to start and end with old toys, though. Why not take the opportunity to declutter kitchen cupboards and even make room throughout the rest of the house?
Toys – Of course, sorting out the kids’ old toys is a great way to make space for all the new ones that may come their way and make some extra money in the process. Sell unused items on eBay or other online selling sites. You can also help those less fortunate than yourselves by donating to local charity shops or children’s centres.
If you plan on getting rid of old toys, try doing it when the children are out of the house. It’s surprising what kids will suddenly be interested in when they think it’s getting binned!
Kitchen cupboards – With all the extra food being bought, do you have the room to store it? When was the last time you had a good kitchen clear-out? It’s surprising what you might find lurking at the back of your cupboards! After a recent clear-out, we found items that were over three years out of date!
If you find items you most likely won’t use but are still in date, why not give them to a local food bank?
Around the house – Having a major declutter can be pretty overwhelming. However, start small, going from room to room. One of the best reasons to declutter before Christmas is to create more storage space and make room for all the extra guests.
You don’t necessarily need to do a big full-on de-clutter, but removing all those unused items and clearing space will make your home feel bigger and more relaxing.
6. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, it’s Christmas
It’s pretty normal to feel the pressure in the lead-up to the festive season. However, by using a few simple hacks to avoid Christmas stress like the ones above, you can be well-prepared for whatever the holiday season throws at you.
However, it’s important to note that the Christmas period is more than having the perfect Christmas dinner and getting all the best gifts. It’s also about making memories with the people you love and spending time with family and friends.
Even with all the best intentions, organising and planning, things can still go wrong! What’s important is how we deal with them. Remember, it’s Christmas. Embrace the chaos and those unrealistic ideas of perfection, and have fun!
Final Thoughts
The holidays are a time to come together with family and friends, enjoy good food and company, and celebrate. However, for many people, the holidays can also be a time of stress. This year, try using some of the hacks we’ve shared to reduce your stress levels and make the most of the season.
Remember to check out our related resources. We have many other helpful tips, gift ideas, and delicious treats to make your Christmas celebrations extra special.
Thanks so much for stopping by; I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read and make it to the end! I have lots of exciting new content in the next few weeks, so make sure you pop back to catch up!
