How to Have Your BEST Christmas Yet!

How to Have the BEST Christmas Yet!

Christmas is nearly here! It a time of heightened emotions: fun, excitement, exhaustion and sometimes, stress. If you calmly and joyously celebrate Christmas each year, wonderful!

If not, I want to help.

Spending time with loved ones, opening presents, gorging on special foods and favourite treats, relaxing at the beach or with a cold one by the pool is wonderful. Stretching yourself thin in order to make it all happen, is not.

There’s a key to making this your best Christmas yet and that’s by remembering to plan and create Christmas Calm.

7 Top Tips to Help You Have the Best Christmas Yet

1. Where do you need to be this Christmas Eve, Christmas Day (or any other day)

Let’s now define where you will be and what is expected of you on any day that you, the family or friends get together. Capture this now. Including what is expected of you! Breathe. Approach this with kindness and start creating your to-do list so you feel ready.

2. If you’re hosting or cooking over Christmas, schedule a date for creating your meal plan and write that in your diary

Yes, schedule in make a decision time. Also, schedule in writing your grocery list, and when you'll shop. This is a project. This means there's more than one step to plan and action. So break it down. And stay kind to yourself.

3. Make a decision on Christmas cards

Paper, e-cards or non at all? Make a decision.

Once you have made your decision, let’s schedule a time in your diary to create a mailing list within your digital contact list so that next year, Christmas is even easier. If you use a paper-based system, schedule time in your diary to create your list now and transfer that list into whatever paper based system you’re likely to use next year. Some people send Christmas cards to those they receive cards from. If this is you, capture who sends you cards this year for next year.

4. Similarly, let’s create a Christmas gift list and store it in a custom created contact list in your digital or paper based system. (And relax- next Christmas is already two steps calmer… )

5. Each family thinks about gifts differently (and times change)

Some families buy, others don’t. Some surprise, others provide a list.

Let’s identify what your family does now. Regardless of your family’s culture, keep communication open. Dynamics change over time when children are born, grow up or as individual’s ethics or circumstances change. 

6. Schedule when you are going to wrap Christmas presents- (or shop or online & in stores that offer Christmas gift wrap)

Schedule gift wrapping time into your diary now unless you particularly like the midnight wrap session!

7. Give yourself a boost of wellbeing on the run up to Christmas

Whether it’s a massage, facial or walk on the beach, a favourite movie, preparing yourself energetically is key. Ask yourself what you need this year. Make a decision to check in with yourself, before, during and after Christmas.

Similarly plan some time for you on Christmas Day. Time out to meditate or time for a glass of bubbles. Give yourself what you need.  You deserve that!

Christmas can be happiest and the most stressful time of year.

So let's get a little more organised, plan for calm and you’ll be better able to sprinkle some seasonal good cheer this festive season.

Merry Christmas!

Zoe X