KEEP YOUR HEAD DURING THE HOLIDAY
The festive season is full of good times, but it also brings its own stresses. HELEN GRANGE offers 20 ways to get through the holidays in one piece
THE CHRISTMAS season is upon us, once again. Here’s what you can do to get by: AVOID THE MALLS AT PEAK PERIODS
If malls stress you more than most, avoid them altogether. There are plenty of alternative places to shop, including outdoor Christmas markets, and online shops that can deliver to your or the gift recipient’s door. REMEMBER TO TREAT YOURSELF
In between planning, shopping, parties and meal preparations, book a pamper session for yourself at a spa or hair salon. During the holiday season, especially if family have come to stay, you need “me” time in order to recharge. GIFTS FOR CHILDREN ONLY
Many families do this, for good reason. How many Christmas gifts have you received that you didn’t want or need? Alternatively, put names into a hat and buy a present for only the person whose name you’ve drawn. This way everyone gets a decent gift. LIMIT SPENDING ON GIFTS
Draw up a list of people you need to buy gifts for, and a budget for each, and stick to it. A good way to keep Christmas spending in check is to buy gift cards and pay in cash. CURB RESTAURANT BILLS
Eating out is one of our biggest holiday expenses and thus also a major cause for stress. Look out for specials, especially for kids. Check online for good restaurant deals. If you’re travelling by car, pack a cooler box full of treats that everyone likes, instead of stopping to eat along the way. RETAIN DAILY RITUALS
If you read for an hour before retiring to bed, don’t sacrifice the habit in favour of yet another holiday chore. Our habits keep us calm and centred. LEARN TO SAY NO Invitations to parties and socials are par for the course this season, but you don’t have to go to all of them. Socialising can be overwhelming and exhausting, so go only if you feel fresh and up to it. DON’T OVERDO ALCOHOL If you drink wine, mix it with soda water or douse it with plenty of ice, so you can enjoy a glass or two without the hangover. And drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.
ASK FOR GIFT WRAPPING IN STORE
Not all stores provide it, but many do, for free, so make a point to ask at the counter. BUY HOLIDAY SUPPLIES EARLY… AND LATE
Avoid the queues for Christmas eats, drinks, snacks, crackers, decorations and ornaments in the rushed days before Christmas, but hold off if you can on gifts like electronics and clothing until after Christmas – you’ll get them for far reduced prices in the sales. DON’T EXPERIMENT WITH NEW RECIPES
Christmas and New Year isn’t the time to venture down new menu paths because experimenting takes time and failure often precedes success. Stick to your tried-andtested starters, mains and puddings. BOOK A DOMESTIC SERVICE
Keeping the house clean when family is staying offers no joy. Rather arrange for a part-time cleaning service to alleviate the burden. Perhaps you can all pitch in to make it less expensive. Try
www.marvellousmaids.co.za or www.maid4u.co.za. Domestic workers also advertise their services on www.gumtree.co.za ENSURE YOUR CAR IS IN GOOD RUNNING ORDER
If you’re going on a road trip, or even day outings, you don’t need the back-of-mind niggle of a smooth tyre or too little oil in the engine. And you definitely don’t need a breakdown. Get it all checked before the holidays kick in. DO SOMETHING PHILANTHROPIC
Make a donation to a cause you’re passionate about. Put in something extra if you have staff. Giving makes us happier, studies have found, and charity is the essence of the festive spirit. GIVE BAD NEWS A MISS
Trim down on TV news and newspapers, or avoid it altogether. There’s always bad news if you look for it, but there’s also plenty of good tidings too. Focus on those. KEEP EATING HEALTHY
Traditional “comfort” foods like pizza and macaroni cheese make us feel lethargic and less able to deal with pressure. Stick to healthy choices like fresh veggies and hummus rather than chips and dips. ASK FOR HELP
Don’t play the Christmas martyr. Delegate chores to the kids and ask friends to help in the kitchen if you’re having a get-together. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Even during times of fun and relaxation, the brain is actively processing and storing information. As a rule of thumb, adults should sleep at least eight hours a night. And let your teenager sleep in. Studies show they need about nine hours sleep to function optimally. GRIEVE YOUR LOVED ONE
If you’re still grieving a loved one, don’t try to hold back your grief just because it’s holiday time. If staying home alone and lighting a candle in memory of the person lost brings you comfort, go right ahead and do it. SETTLE FOR ‘GOOD ENOUGH’
Your house doesn’t have to be fit for the Home Channel over the holidays. A quick tidy up will do before guests arrive. Allow yourself to have some fun too.