10 tips for a TERRIFIC CHRISTMAS
1 DESIGNATE a ‘Christmas cupboard’. When you’re buying gifts and food in dribs and drabs, there’s a tendency for them to go walkies. Put them all together in a special place and you’ll always be able to find them.
2 GOT too much to do before Christmas? Then delegate! Make your guests pull their weight by bringing food and drink with them and don’t be afraid to ask people with food allergies or diet preferences to give you ideas or bring something with them. They’ll be glad they can help.
3 BORED with Secret Santa? Try White Elephant instead. Everyone brings a little wrapped gift they think anyone would like, which all get put in a pile. Guests draw lots to determine the order they go in and everyone then picks a present in turn.
4 HATE wrapping presents? Use Pritt Stick on wrapping paper to keep it in place before you apply adhesive tape. And if you can’t get a sticky label off a gift, turn the hairdryer on to it for a few minutes – the glue will melt and it’ll come off easily.
5 FORGOTTEN to put the wine or Champagne in the fridge? Wrap the bottle in a damp tea towel and place in the freezer for 20 minutes for a chilled glass of bubbly.
6 IS YOUR Christmas tree starting to wilt far too early? It’s probably too near a radiator, so pop it in a cooler place – being close to heat will dry it out.
7 NEED to get rid of a hangover? NHS advice is to drink plenty of water to rehydrate yourself before you go to bed, take painkillers for headaches and muscle cramps and to eat sugary foods to stop you feeling trembly.
8 WANT to win when cracker pulling? It’s possible – scientists have worked out that if you grab your cracker end with two hands and angle it so the cracker tilts downwards towards you, as long as you pull slowly and steadily, you’ll be the one with the plastic toy, paper hat and bad joke.
9 ARE the kids demanding to know when Santa’s dropping by? Let them follow his adventures around the globe with Norad’s Santa Tracker. Download the app or go to noradsanta.org on Christmas Eve and they’ll be able to watch him delivering gifts around the globe.
10 FINALLY – remember you can’t please everyone. Just do your best and ignore any criticism.