Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of year. There’s so much build up all for one day, and then before you know it - it’s gone! But not before giving you a big fat headache. This post is going to give you some ideas to help you have a stress free Christmas. Enjoy!
Start Planning Early
It makes sense to start planning as early as possible. Whatever you do, don’t leave anything until December! Even if you come up with small ideas in advance, it’s better than leaving everything until the last minute. Plan where you’ll have Christmas dinner. Will you make it and host it, or go somewhere else? If you can get away with going somewhere else, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle! If you start planning early, you can even make some things yourself!
Make a List
Make a list of all the people you plan on buying for, and then any ideas you have next to their name. Don’t just buy for the sake of buying. Many people get into the gift giving spirit at Christmas time, which is fine, but you don’t want to enter into January broke! Be vigilant with your list, and avoid spending more than you need to. It really is the thought that counts here. Set a realistic budget for each person based on your relation to them and what you can afford.
Do Your Christmas Shopping Online
Going Christmas shopping for gifts is possibly the most stressful part of Christmas. Once you’ve made your list, start ticking things off one by one. Start a few months in advance if possible, so that you don’t have to spend too much money at once. Shopping online is much less stressful, as things get delivered right to your door. You don’t have to push your way through crowds of people, nor do you have a panic attack when you can’t find something on the shelf. If you do decide to go shopping in person (as it can be quite atmospheric), don’t go too close to the big day. You’ll get stressed out and it’s likely that all of the good gifts will be gone. There are even pages you can look at for great suggestions on gifts for men and women if you’re stuck for ideas.
Send Emails Rather Than Cards
Instead of sending cards, send emails or e-cards. Prefer to send cards? Beautiful holiday cards can be found everywhere! You can even give to a charity in their name. While cards are a traditional part of Christmas, sending them is a little pointless. They waste trees, so it’s bad for the environment. They get thrown away too! It’s much more thoughtful to give to charity, and is usually free to send an e-card. You won’t need to worry about cards arriving on time, or forgetting anybody this way either.
I hope my guide helps you to have the most stress free Christmas yet. Remember; you should never stress out about things you can’t control. Take a few deep breaths and enjoy the festive season with your family!
Disclosure: This is a contributed post.
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