Don’t break the bank
- Christmas can be costly, so if you have a large circle of extended family or friends, suggest only buying gifts for the children.
- Have a Kris Kringle where everyone draws one name out of a hat and only buys a gift for that person.
- Set a limit on the cost of presents for each person.
- Have a pre-loved Christmas, where everyone buys something from a charity shop. It will save money and help a good cause.
- Remember, presents don’t have to cost money – you can also give a voucher for your time (such as doing some gardening or cleaning) or you could make some yummy treats.
- Give someone a book you really enjoyed reading.
Christmas lunch – keep it simple
- Remember – you don’t have to do everything yourself! If you are cooking lunch at home, delegate tasks.
- Consider keeping it simple – such as lunch where everybody brings a platter.
- Have a family get-together for breakfast for a change – then you’ll have the rest of the day to relax.
Stay healthy!
- Get enough sleep – a couple of early nights can make a world of difference to your energy levels.
- It’s a season of eating and drinking but try not to overdo it.
- Keep up your regular exercise routine.
And remember: Try not to get caught up in the Christmas frenzy! Get others to help and don’t be afraid to say no.
5 Christmas timesavers
- Do your food shopping online and have everything delivered to your door. You’ll also avoid those impulse buys that you don’t really need!
- Take a few shortcuts and use ready-made items where available – such as salads, pastry shells or meringues.
- Keep dishes simple; make an antipasti platter with sliced, cured meats and cheese – no cooking required!
- If you’re planning some Christmas baking, pre-measure all your ingredients into containers so they are ready to go when you are.
- Get someone else to clean your house!
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