As Christmas approaches, it feels like the list of things that still need to be done is starting to spiral out of control. Christmas is supposed to be a fun, relaxing time of year. It’s a time when we spend time with our loved ones and escape the stress of daily life. But it doesn’t always turn out that way. We often forget how to stay calm during the holidays, and by Boxing Day we’re exhausted, stressed, and wondering why we experience this every year. But don’t worry, because I’m going to share some things you can do in your Christmas preparations to ensure you have a stress-free Christmas.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce holiday stress and learn how to have a relaxing Christmas instead of a stressful one, then hang on because I have 7 simple tips you can use to prepare for the upcoming Preparing for Christmas.
1. Make Christmas plans
Planning is a key component in helping you feel in control this Christmas. Once you know how many guests you will have on Christmas Day, how many gifts you need to buy, when you will visit different family and friends, and what activities you have booked over the festive period, you can start to become more organized.
Starting at Christmas. While you don’t need to follow the rules exactly, it’s always a good idea to have a rough schedule for the day. Remember to include meal times, when people arrive, when you open gifts and most importantly remember to include time for a nap on the couch after dinner!
Create a list of things you need to do before the big day, such as writing Christmas cards, wrapping gifts, planning menus, etc.
2. Create a simple menu
If you believe what those glossy magazines tell you, then Christmas food should be fancy. I’m talking about appetizers and cocktails, appetizers, entrees, desserts, cheese boards, wine pairings with each course. Seriously, that’s enough to put anyone in trouble. It’s time to take the stress off and create a menu made up of dishes that are easy to prepare and can be made before the big day.
No one wants to spend most of Christmas Day holed up in the kitchen while everyone else is having a great time. So choose gutters that you know everyone will love. You can’t go wrong with a traditional roasted turkey. In fact, it’s just like any other roast dinner. Just make sure you have meat-free alternatives and you should have everyone covered.
There is nothing wrong with buying ready-to-eat food from the supermarket. Store-bought cauliflower cheese, stuffing, bread sauce, red cabbage, and more can save you time in the kitchen and no one will bat an eye once you pour them into a bowl or onto people’s plates.
3. Delegate tasks
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, after all who says you have to be in charge of everything! The preparation for Christmas is all about coming together as a team and sharing the load. To reduce stress, ask guests to bring something, such as a different class that each family can be responsible for. Not only does this help with Christmas stress management, but it also means the financial burden is shared too. Christmas dinner costs an average of £32.57 per person, so if you’re entertaining 8 people, it’ll cost around £260. That’s before you factor in the drinks and snacks and snacks you might have for the rest of the day. Very expensive!
To ensure you have a stress-free Christmas, it’s important to get everyone involved (even the kids). You can easily delegate tasks such as setting the table, carving the turkey, serving drinks, clearing dishes, washing dishes, etc., while you can focus on making sure the sprouts don’t spill and the turkey doesn’t burn. You have the right to enjoy Christmas like everyone else, which will help you feel less stressed.
4. Don’t leave it to the last minute
If you leave everything to the last minute, of course you will feel stressed. Get ahead of the game and you’ll feel more in control before Christmas.
As part of your Christmas preparations, you should:
- Complete your gift shopping promptly – If you shop online, please allow enough time for delivery of your order (and for returns or exchanges if any issues arise). And if you shop in person, it gets busier the closer you get to Christmas and you’re more likely to panic buy, which could end up spending more money and running the risk of products running out of stock.
- Order online food delivery service – Online food delivery slots are booked weeks in advance. Sign up with all the supermarkets that deliver to you and they will email you when spaces become available.
- Write a food shopping list – It’s easy to buy too much food at Christmas and often not finish it all. To avoid food waste and overeating, figure out what food you actually need and write down a shopping list so you’re not tempted to put anything extra in your trolley when shopping for Christmas food.
5. Be prepared
Christmas preparations are, well, all about preparation! The more prepared you are, the less stressed you will be. Honestly, it’s that simple. You can get a lot done before Christmas, which means you can get back on your feet and enjoy the festive season.
Certain foods can be prepared in advance and then frozen, for example you can boil potatoes for baking, make stuffing, mince pies, sausage rolls etc. There is work to be done on festival day. Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and parsnips can be stored overnight in a bowl of cold water for use the next day. Greens can be trimmed and placed in food containers in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
You can also save time by setting the table and placing any decorations the night before. Maybe set up a drink station with glasses, corkscrews, corkscrews, etc. so people can help themselves when they want a drink, which could save you work the next day too!
6. Plan some quiet time
Christmas can be very busy at times. It can be loud, hot, busy, and there can be a lot going on. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but it’s how you handle those feelings that can make the difference between having a stressful Christmas or relaxing and enjoying the holidays.
Schedule breaks in your day so you can take a break from the craziness. If you have a dog, they still need walks, so volunteer to take them out. Take some time to enjoy your morning coffee before everyone else wakes up. Hey, stay in the bathroom a little longer if it gives you five minutes of peace. Make every effort.
Use this time to recharge your social batteries so you can enjoy the festivities and be the best version of yourself.
7. Go with the flow
Nothing goes exactly as planned. But there’s no need to beat yourself up about it. People don’t expect perfection, so you shouldn’t expect perfection either. Remember, Christmas is about spending time with loved ones, not having the juiciest turkey, the most expensive gifts, or the tallest Christmas tree. What if you can’t light your Christmas pudding? It’s important if the cookies don’t break. This is not the end of the world. Chances are, years from now you’ll look back and laugh because it’s moments like this that create some of the best Christmas memories.
final thoughts
These 7 simple tips for Christmas preparation hold the secret to a stress-free Christmas. There’s no need to run around, get your underwear in a mess, and worry about things that don’t matter in the end. As long as you have a roof over your head, your family by your side, and food on the table, that’s all you need for a perfect Christmas.
What will you do to help you prepare for Christmas?
I’d love to hear how you make your Christmas as stress-free as possible, so please get in touch!
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About the author
Becky Stafferton is a full-time content creator, online publisher, and blogging coach. She continually strives to promote a realistic, sustainable and positive image of how to live a healthy life. When she’s not writing, you can find her running around in muddy puddles, making lists, making good old moaning noises, talking to her dog in a funny voice, renovating her house in the country, and teaching others how to Make money with your blog.
