Guest Post: Top four tips for a stress-free Christmas

When exactly did Christmas transform from being “the most wonderful time of the year” to being the most stressful? If you’ve lost the Christmas spirit and feel nothing but a faint rage whenever you hear Mistletoe &

When exactly did Christmas transform from being “the most wonderful time of the year” to being the most stressful? If you’ve lost the Christmas spirit and feel nothing but a faint rage whenever you hear Mistletoe & Wine on the radio, it’s time to step back. Take a deep breath, and read these four tips for reducing unnecessary stress throughout the festive season.

Step 1: Get organised early

One of the most annoying things about Christmas is that it seems to start before Halloween has even ended. If you’re too busy being ‘bah humbug’ about it, then you’re probably too busy to realise that the early adverts are actually a warning siren telling you to be prepared. Getting your Christmas presents bought, wrapped and out of the way a month early will leave you with a feeling of smug satisfaction as you watch your friends battle through the Crimbo crowds.

Which leads us to our next point…

Step 2: Avoid the Christmas crowds

Standing in massive queues, squeezing onto public transport, cramming into overcrowded toyshops; just a few good reasons to avoid the high street during December. If you haven’t managed to get your shopping done early, you can still avoid the crowds by going online. You can get some great Christmas presents at Littlewoods and other online retailers.

Step 3: Don’t set unrealistic deadlines in the office

If you’re off work from Christmas Eve to New Year, you can end up trying to cram two weeks of work into one while listening to handovers from colleagues. Start winding your work down near the start of December; ring clients to catch up before they’re inundated with calls from other contacts. Finish all projects that can be finished and check progress on ones that you can’t. This way you won’t wake up on Boxing Day in a cold sweat.

Step 4: Get someone else to do the dinner

Guarantee yourself a relaxed Christmas dinner by blagging an invite to a family member’s house. On Christmas Day you can relax with your feet up and not worry about dry turkey. Until next year when they expect an invite to yours, that is.

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