Be Prepared
Write a list of everything you need to do in order of priority from decorating the tree, to writing Christmas cards and wrapping presents. There is nothing more satisfying than ticking them off your ‘to do’ list and this way you know that nothing has been missed! Set reminders on your phone too! That way you’ll be ahead of the game and nothing will be missed. For example, last postal dates, ordering the turkey and your child’s nativity play!
Avoid the Crowds
There is nothing more stressful than battling the huge crowds of people hitting the high-street in the lead up to Christmas, especially when you have children in tow! Avoid the crowds by doing your Christmas shopping online. Shopping from the comfort of your own home, with a cup of mulled wine and mince pie takes the stress out of buying Christmas presents and turns it into a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Have a Clear Out
If you are dreading the new influx of toys, make space for them by having a clear out before Christmas. Get the kids to help you and turn it into a fun game! You could donate the things you don’t need anymore to a charity, or sell them on e-Bay for some extra pennies.
Take some Time Out
Make sure you take some time out to relax with the family. Play a boardgame, watch a Christmas movie or go for a lovely winter walk. Have some time to yourself too. Once the children are in bed, run a nice hot bath, light some candles and relax!
Don't Forget your Hiding Places
Every January I always find some Christmas presents stashed away that I completely forgot about. Avoid this mishap by making a note of what presents you have bought and where you have hidden them!
Keep track of your Spending
Christmas is an expensive time of year and it is so easy to get carried away. Set yourself a budget and keep track of what you have bought for each person and how much you have spent. Also set a budget for your food shopping too and try your best to stick to it.
Different Gift Wrap
Wrap your family’s gifts in different paper, that way with the chaos of Christmas day you won’t have to worry about giving a gift to the wrong person! It also means you don’t have to write hundreds of gift labels!
Put the Kids to Bed Early
Try and put your children to sleep early so that they aren’t overtired and grumpy on Christmas Day. This also gives you time to sort the last minute bits and pieces like putting the presents under the tree without an audience! To avoid a late night, try not to give children too much sugar during the day and give them a warm bath, mug of hot milk and a nice story before bedtime. For the perfect night’s sleep, dress them in a Slumbersac sleeping bag, which will keep them warm and snug and avoid them overheating and waking up in the night.
Focus on What’s Important
The most important thing about Christmas is family. So if you forget to send a Christmas card to your long lost Aunt, or overcook the turkey, don’t worry! Just enjoy the time you have together and if things do go wrong, just laugh about it. They will make great stories for future family Christmas’s!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful and magical Christmas!
