10 Tips To Prepare For Christmas.
Christmas is without doubt the best time of the year! Our Christmas elves can’t wait to put the tree up, start writing all those cards and always love opening presents and getting stuck into all those chocolates, but it can be a stressful time too and sometimes things can get a bit overwhelming. Here are just some of our best tips to get prepared for all of the festivities so you can have a fun, stress free Christmas!
This article is here as a quick and easy reminder that although Christmas can be stressful it really doesn’t have to be. We want you to have as much fun and enjoyment as possible during the festive season, so here are our top 10 tips to prepare for Christmas!
Start early.
There is always a lot to do at Christmas, especially if you have a big family, and that is on top of all of the normal everyday little things you have to worry about like work and dealing with the kids! So start early! There is no shame in writing all your Christmas cards out in September, or buying and storing presents throughout the year and then wrapping the main ones early. Do this and those are three of the biggest jobs done before you even get to December!
Leave time for the post.
If you want to send anything or do some online shopping, make sure it is done before December 1st to avoid disappointment.
Have a big ‘spring’ clean in November.
Having a thorough clean, tidy and declutter before December will make things a lot easier and lighter for when the decorations go up.
Get the guest room ready.
Even if you aren’t planning on having anyone staying over those surprise family visits or late night drinks with friends will be a lot easier if you have fresh sheets and a few extra pillows on hand.
Set a budget limit for presents.
Setting yourself a limit for each person or present, however you want to organise it, will help keep costs down and stop you getting overwhelmed with money worries and that feeling that you have to give too much. You really don’t.
Use a grocery shopping list.
It isn’t just Santa that needs a list you know! In November make two lists of all the food, groceries and essentials that you will need for Christmas. One for all the basics that you can buy at the start of December and will keep, and one for all the perishable items like meat and milk that you will need to get the week before. Make sure you include everything and that you stick to your budget. That way you aren’t making two dozen trips to packed shops because you keep forgetting things.
Don’t forget the batteries!
There is nothing worse than getting all those fancy new toys and gadgets on Christmas day and finding out they don’t come with batteries! Have a good stash of essentials in a kitchen drawer.
Don’t over commit!
You won’t always be able to see everyone over Christmas, so plan for some trips in January and extend the festive season a bit.
Remember you don’t have to do it all yourself!
It is okay if you feel a bit overwhelmed. Ask for help. Get everyone involved in cooking a different part of Christmas dinner. Tell the kids that Santa really loves it when children help do little jobs around the house and gives extra presents. Hey, we won’t tell if you don’t!
Enjoy it!
This seems like common sense but so many people get so caught up in being busy they forget what Christmas is all about. Family, friends, fun and festivities! So take a step back and enjoy this truly special time of year!