If your head is anything like mine is right now then it will be buzzing.
It will be buzzing with a huge list of ‘to-dos’ before the big day which is fast approaching. It will be full of names of the people that you still need to buy for but ideas for presents for those that you’ve already bought for. It will be flagging from all the hours it’s working and a lack of sleep due to failure to shut it up overnight and it will be desperately trying to keep it all together.
As the festive season is in full swing, I thought it appropriate to dedicate my second festive blog post to 8 top tips to remain jolly during the festive rush.
A rush that occurs every single year without fail but one that I don’t quite understand due to the fact that we have an entire year to prepare.
However, panic and rush we always do so here goes.
- Go online, avoid city centers
Yes, if you’re one of the many people who has left their entire list to buy for until the last few weeks before Christmas then the internet becomes your new best friend. Think again when getting into your car if you’re heading towards a town centre to shop, you will end up strangling somebody.
Not only will there be hoards of people slowly meandering around most of which will be the smug majority who finished their shopping back in May, there will also be crying kids who didn’t get to see Santa, queues for every checkout and a lack of availability on the shelves.
Sticking to the virtual shopping experience will keep you cool and avoid unnecessary violence.
2. Amazon
If the Internet is your best friend then Amazon is your true love. Just last night I was flicking through the world of Amazon, searching for certain specific requests for presents for family members and scrolling through the gift ideas sections for others. After about half an hour of solid searching, I completed all of my shopping.
It felt good. No waiting in traffic, no park and ride fees, no standing in queues or losing your patience behind the slow moving crowds of people. Just a simple confirmation email almost congratulating me on my success. Job done.
3. Keep on top of everything
Planning ahead is crucial at this busy time of year. It’s hard enough staying in control of things in the calmer months of the year so at Christmas it is more necessary to plan your time wisely.
Keeping up to date with work, chores, social events and everything in between can seem nigh-on impossible. However, having a diary in which you can write everything down will ensure that you don’t forget to attend your Christmas party while also remembering to change the bed, pick your sister up from the station and take your uncle to his carol concert the following day.
4. Always stop for a cup of tea
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – there is nothing quite like stopping for a cup of tea. Taking the time out of your day, fifteen or thirty minutes, to enjoy a warm cuppa and maybe a mince pie or two.
Especially at Christmas you might forget to do this but doing so will allow you that bit of breathing space to figure out what needs to be done next and to pause for a moment to feel good about all you’ve already completed.
5. Treat yourself too
Not much beats a new purchase for you especially at a time when you’re buying so much for others. A new dress for the Christmas party, some new accessories for you to wear on Christmas day, a new outfit for the pub on Christmas eve. Go on, treat yourself, you deserve it.
6. Wine
No matter what a rubbish day you have had at work, however much your family are getting on your nerves, or the slow people, or the fussy people you encounter each day, there is always, always wine.
Whether it’s red or white that you prefer, maybe even some of the warm mulled variety, wine is always a good way to chill out after a long day.
7. Appreciate the little things
This is important during every season of the year but when we are busy it is often one of the first things that we forget.
Appreciate the sunshine, the beautiful morning skies, the lights on your neighbors house. Appreciate the laughter of the children who enjoy this season most, the good will of most people at this time of year too. Appreciate your year, your life and everybody it and try really hard to do so because if you can’t be happy at Christmas then when can you be?
8. Remain calm, smile through it and embrace the festive spirit
The other day I’d had a really busy day at work, as is always the case, and in the last hour a man came in, ordered his ham for Christmas and then asked for two sacks of coal. I – reluctantly but not showing my hesitation – grabbed the keys to go up to the bunker to get it.
He offered to help. I was taken a back. What a kind man, I thought. He then, after loading his two bags onto the trolley, helped me further by voluntarily bringing two more sacks down to prevent me having to go up again that night. True genuine kindness and the spirit of Christmas. You don’t find too much of that these days but it’s what it’s all about.
Remain calm when you begin to lose your patience, smile even if it is through gritted teeth and embrace all that is good about this jolly festive season.