(collaborative post) We’re all starting to think about Christmas. Some have already bought and wrapped their gifts, or have made a good start whereas others have not had a chance to do anything yet. Christmas can be a stressful time and we do need to try and find ways to make preparing for Christmas more relaxed for our own sanity. It’s important to look at things that help you relax and incorporate them into Christmas preparations where you can.
Here are some tips on how to Make Preparing for Christmas More Relaxed.
Preparation
The key to a more relaxed Christmas is preparation. Leaving everything to the last minute really won’t do you or your mental health any favours. There is plenty to be done in advance. The biggies include decorating and purchasing gifts in advance, making sure you don’t leave the wrapping to the last minute.
Decorating
I love to decorate my tree and can’t wait to get my hands on one soon!!! Unfortunately for me, the kids enjoy doing this too. My solution, let them. Each year after the kids decorate the tree, Santa sends Elves to help tidy it up a bit (I really can’t help myself). To help “the elves” get into the Christmas spirit and relax a little music and some festive snacks will always go down well. It’s a great distraction and can be quite relaxing to get creative. Don’t forget elves have a sweet tooth!! “Elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” so they’ll love my food and drink suggestions under the next heading.
Christmas Shopping
Now that can be a chore and a half. It can be a lengthy process deciding what to buy for others and getting hold of the items. We simply don’t need the hassle, do we! Here’s what I suggest. Combine this with a delicious treat of food and drink and some mood music to help get you through and make it much more enjoyable. The endorphins will kick in adding to your enjoyment and will help relax your mind as you shop.
You will need:
Something to Drink
A chilled bottle of Kurtatsch Gewurztraminer 2019. I can’t suggest a wine without telling you a little about it. This is a stunningly gorgeous tropical wine with aromas of guava, passion fruit, blood orange and lychee with a touch of honeysuckle, elderflower, banana, red apple, underpinned by toasted bread flavour and a creamy texture. It’s great to drink on its own but also works well with spicy foods, pork, chicken, fish and cheese. It’s a popular wine with those in the know, once sampled it’ll become a firm favourite. Best to buy it from Independent Wine for the best online price.
A Sweet Treat
For those with a sweet tooth, a delicious dessert to enjoy alongside your wine. Paul’s has a wonderful range of delightfully delicious treats. Pop into a local store or order from Paul’s online. You’ll find some great desserts on the site from individual portions to larger cakes, macarons and pastries. You’ll be spoilt for choice. Wash it done with a glass of wine or two. Who said Christmas shopping can’t be enjoyable.
Something Savoury
If you prefer savoury foods this wine will also go nicely with a selection of mild and soft cheeses. Grab some crackers and a little relish, some Brie, goats cheese, Camembert. A selection of cheeses is always nice. You don’t need much. Nibble on the food, sip on your wine and enjoy a relaxed Christmas shop. Online shopping is far less stressful than running around from store to store. Before long you’ll have everything you need ordered and winging its way to your home without having to set a foot outside.
Now once you have these pop over to my blog posts How To Create a Personalised Hamper, Christmas shopping across the miles with Moonpig and Luxury Gift Ideas For The Stylish Men in Your Life for some helpful gift inspiration. You should be able to find everything you need to gift all your family and friends and save yourself a few days of fighting the hoards of crazed shoppers in stores.
Wrapping Your Gifts
I always wait until all the kids are asleep before doing this. Then I’ll sneak into the living room with arms full of gifts, wrapping papers, ribbons, boxes and everything else I could possibly need. All this wrapping is thirsty work and you often find you build up an appetite. Christmas movies are also great to have playing whilst you wrap. Find your favourite Christmas movie and enjoy yourself. Do make sure you don’t leave everything to the last minute, to keep stress levels at a minimum.
Preparing Homemade Decorations
Some people go all out with decorations. There are all sorts of things you can consider such as a wreath for the door, table centerpiece, candle holders, cutlery holders. You can make items using evergreen plants, holly, offcuts of material and all sorts of other things you can get your hands on. Alternatively, buy some when buying your gifts and save yourself a little time and effort. For some, part of the fun is getting hands-on and creative. It’s simply up to you and your time restrictions.
To Conclude
As you can see I’m ready to wrap. You can see there are a fair few preparations you can do in advance to relieve the stress as we get closer to the big day. These will help you stay more relaxed and enjoy the festive season much more.
Don’t forget to leave Santa a glass of wine on Christmas Eve! He is partial to a good quality sweet white, I should know, I’m part elf – ask the kids!!!
What would you suggest to help make preparing for Christmas more relaxed?
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Love this! I am all done Barr the wrapping abs it is stressing me out a little!
I definitely need a Christmas movie and wrapping day, with lots of yummy treats I think x x
It will be a great way to relax a bit before the big day x
What a great post, I have to start wrapping soon, I have ordered and paid for my turkey so that is something off the list, just everything else to do
It’ll come around really fast. Make sure you organise a lovely relaxed wrapping session.
I love the fact you suggest something to drink! 😉 I envy the people who have already wrapped their presents, I am procrastinating far too much about it at the moment, I just need to get a shift on and actually do it before school finishes! :/ I have been hoovering up all the schmaltzy Christmas movies for weeks, cannot get enough of them! Sim x
It’s a great way to relax and get things done. Who said preparation had to be stressful. We can make everything fun and more relaxed if we try. I’ve been watching the Christmas movies too!!!! Love them!!
These sound like some great ways to be ready and prepared for the big day. I have to admit right now I am neither.
I hope you got on top of your preparations.
I feel like we have been preparing for Christmas all year. I think its because we want to make it special after a rubbish year.
Great tips! I love trying to stay organised on the run up to Christmas, but as soon as the big day gets nearer that always seem to go to pot. This year will be different – I’m determined 🙂
We love Gewurztraminer! You don’t find it in many places. I’ve got most presents bought and wrapped, I really wanted to get prepared this year!
This looks like a more wonderful way of preparing for Christmas. I sure need to relax more so need to follow this rather than rushing round
It is nicer to take things easy and in your own time. This should help save you hours.
Loved this . Can never get enough tips and treats for making the preparation for the Big day run as smoothly As possible:) I need to buy some gifts soon. I will take your advice and get some wine in for my wrapping sesh.
And the preparations leading up to it.
Reading your post has somewhat calmed me..I can’t beleive that it is actually the 2nd of December already! How time flies, I guess making a list and preparing in advance is going to make Christmas more relaxed for me
Wrapping as you go and buying throughout the year definitely makes Christmas a little less stressful!
I always find a glass of hot mulled wine or two makes all those tedious Christmas chores seem that little bit more bearable! Oh, and I’m a sucker for festive music too, haha.
The Kurtatsch Gewurztraminer 2019 sounds delicious. For me the most stressful part is the shopping, so I try and pick up everything we need nice and early
It is a lovely wine to enjoy whilst wrapping and shopping online. I know what you mean especially if you can’t decide what to get someone.
Our Christmas is definitely going to be more relaxed, as we are spending it on our own. I’m probably not going to bother putting up a tree, as there’s no-one to appreciate it. We will be drivig down to London to see our daughter and granddaughter on Boxing day, so that’s when Christmas will really happen for us.
I really wish I had your self-discipline as I leave everything to the last minute.
I’ve started prepping for Christmas a lot earlier this year. I did the majority of my shopping online, so I don’t need to be worrying Christmas week!
It really does help being prepared, I used to leave buying gifts to the last minute and it was so stressful
If ever there was an article I needed to see it’s this! Mega stressed with it all
I get really stressed so I enjoyed reading this
It can be a stressful time. Glad you liked the post.
Some really good tips, we cannot forget anything on this special day!
And it helps to be prepared.
Some really amazing tips here that will so useful
Doing as much as possible long before Christmas Day is certainly the key. Two things that cause me stress are keeping on top of housework if guests are due and also buying suitable gifts even though I usually ask the recipients what they want.
Getting them something you know they want can help save time and reduce stress.
I always stress over christmas, but I am one of those weirdos that loves wrapping presents! I just stress that I have not bought enough lol
Ha, there are quite a few people that enjoy wrapping presents. My daughters enjoy wrapping with me.
i tried to be prepared for christmas and plan but instead i panicked and spent
On no. It helps to prepare well in advance.
I agree wholeheartedly that it is good to start early and be prepared so that it is not all a rush and worry at the last minute.
It really does make all the difference.
Some people start their gift shopping months in advance. It can make a massive difference.
The drink recommendation sounds amazing!!
I love being organized and usually have all gifts done by November. The wrapping is always stressful though. I like the idea of taking some snacks in to nibble during wrapping, that will make it much more pleasurable and well, any excuse for some choccies
Other than buying gifts, I was a shambles this year of being organised! Will definitely keep this as a handy guide!
Oh no, well it’s all over now luckily. It pays to be well prepared for next Christmas.
Great ideas here. I like to do my present shopping throughout the year. Or if I see something that gives me an idea, I make a note of it on my phone so I don’t forget!
Great ideas for taking the stress out of Christmas x
Very useful and interesting, I wish I had read this before Christmas but I have taken notes for Christmas this year xx
I definitely need to get more organised for 2021. No more frantic wrapping on Christmas Eve!