HOW TO KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON THIS CHRISTMAS

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, yes it is, however Mr Williams fails to sing about the stress of planning for Christmas. So, to help you with what can be a very overwhelming time of year here are our top tips for a stress free Christmas. 

Christmas Prep

Christmas cards

1. Write a list and save it. 

Make a note of all the people who you have sent and received christmas cards from/to and save to laptop or spreadsheet. This will make writing christmas cards next year a lot easier with additions and changes of address being easy to make along the way. 

Presents

1. Use the one in one out rule.

Create space for new toys and gifts in the lead up to christmas by giving away old or unwanted things. To get a bit of extra cash you could sell these items on sites and apps such as ebay and deepop, or give goods away to charitys collecting gifts for children over Christmas such as, the Salvation Army or Children’s Hospices. Its also a great example to children on the gift of giving and charity.

2. If you can’t think of a gift buy vouchers and gift cards. 

Don’t buy for the sake of buying! If you can’t think of what to buy someone gift cards and vouchers are great. With Christmas sales just around the corner it means more value for money too!

3. For easy wrapping use an ironing board!

Believe it or not it will be your new best friend- high wide and easy to hang tape off the end! Also, don’t leave wrapping to the last minute, wrap as you go or dedicate a few days to it in the next coming days so that you can enjoy Christmas Eve. 

Food

1. Plan your Christmas dinner - Keep it simple 
Plan what you want to cook and although it’s christmas try to keep it simple. Leave out food that gets left over (sprouts we’re looking at you). Choose the favourite veg to prepare and choose one type of potato - Let the mashed vs roast debate commence.  

If you’re entertaining don’t forget to ask about any dietary requirements!

2. Make a list

Make a list of what you need as well as when you need to buy it. Buy in what you can early and leave perishables for the days leading up to christmas. 

3. Save your list 

To help with next years Christmas save your shopping lists then come November order an online shop to get ahead of the game and avoid the chaotic aisles.

4. Fridge and Freezer space

Leading up to Christmas organise your fridge and freezer so that there is room for all the food and prep. 

5. Do Prep!

In the days leading up to christmas think what you can prepare early, for example are you making your own sauces and stuffing? Make these in the run up to Christmas to reduce work on the big day. 

Is there anything that can be prepped and frozen, for example you could pre-wrap your pigs in blankets. 

Chop your veg Christmas eve morning ready to go the following day. Christmas Eve is for getting merry and watching Christmas movies not slaving over the stove.

6. Timing is everything 

Plan rough timings of the day in a bullet point schedule with timings so come Christmas it’s as easy as following 1, 2, 3. 

Fun time festivities

1. Make time for family visits 

Christmas is all about family so make time to visit the people you love. Don’t pack too many people in the schedule; Christmas is for relaxing and loosing track of time.

2. Festive Activities

Plan some festive activities such as the Christmas Panto, going to a carol service or Christmas light show. 

If it’s too late to book take a trip into town to see the Christmas Markets and ice skating.

Christmas Eve

1. Final Touches

Make a playlist ready for cooking the Christmas Dinner & for Christmas Day.

Pre set the christmas table if you are able to, one less job for tomorrow.

Have batteries bought and easy to find by the tree as well as any tools that may be needed to assemble gifts, such as screwdrivers or scissors. There is always one game that will require batteries, avoid the screaming children and be prepared.

2. Family traditions

This is the time for christmas films and mince pies with the family. Bake biscuits ready to leave out for Santa and Rudolph. If you’re religious head down to midnight mass, christingles at the ready. If you have a busy day consider making a chilli or a stew that can keep warm and feed the troops at any point.

3. Track Santa

 Track Santa with the children on an app - we recommend - NORAD.

Christmas Day

1. Have recycle bags at the ready.

All that paper and card needs to go somewhere. 

2. Food

Blast your Christmas playlist, whip out your most festive apron and follow the to do list you prepared earlier.  Wash it down with a few glugs of prosecco for ultimate festive enjoyment.

3. Have Fun

Do not forget to have fun! Although Christmas can be overwhelming it’s all about celebrating with and appreciating those around you. 

Merry Christmas! Jetpack PA Services are on hand over Christmas. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

07875763642 / meg@jetpackuk.com

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