Christmas IS the most wonderful time of the year, but for some it can also be the most stressful – or the loneliest. If you are going to be alone for Christmas, reach out to others. There are plenty of people who may not have others to spend Christmas with and who would be happy of the company. If you find Christmas stressful, there are some things that you can do to help reduce those stress levels.
You may have tried and tested some of them, but some might just be gamechangers. Here are our top five.
Be Prepared
We don’t just mean peeling your spuds and sprouts before Christmas Day (although that is a great idea). Be prepared for any eventuality. The last thing you need is your boiler packing up, electricity blowing, or oven giving up on Christmas day. Make sure your boiler is serviced, you are stocked up on fuses and light bulbs, and your oven is in good working order.
Don’t Be Afraid To Delegate
It can be hard to let go of some jobs at Christmas, especially when you are determined to get everything absolutely perfect. However, delegation really is the key to a stress-free, merry Christmas. If someone asks what they can bring, don’t reply with the standard of “just you” or “just a bottle”, why not ask them to bring a starter, dessert or cheese board? They are all things that can be mostly prepared in advance, and which will take a big weight off your mind.
A Clean Sweep
There are some things that should be done at least once a year, and sweeping your chimney is one of them. If you haven’t yet had your chimney swept, try to get it done ASAP – you want to make sure that you leave a free path for Santa and his little helpers, and you also want to reduce the risk of fire.
It’s A Wrap
Do your festive fantasies involve a Christmas Eve sipping festive drinks and beautifully wrapping gifts? Is the reality a night of frantically searching through the attic for last year’s leftover paper while wondering how you possibly managed to use 300 metres of sticky tape in the last week? Last minute wrapping to Christmas carols may seem idyllic, but the reality can often be far removed from the dream. Get most of your wrapping done beforehand. If Christmas Eve just isn’t the same without a bit of wrapping, save one or things to wrap, beautifully – Love Actually style – while you watch, well, Love Actually.
Write A List – And Check It Twice
Nobody wants to get caught out by their boiler, oven, or electrics on Christmas Day. But it could happen. Just in case, it’s a good idea to get together an emergency list containing the contact details of two: local boiler repair specialists, local plumbers and electricians. Play it safe with two of each just in case one isn’t available, but bear in mind that emergency call-out fees will most probably apply.
Merry Christmas from Trust A Trader – for more advice, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.