Tips for a happy Christmas
CHRISTMAS can sometimes mean pleasing everyone but yourself, and while you want everyone to enjoy themselves and to help friends and neighbours where you can, there is no reason to turn into a doormat. Here are a few dos and don’ts for a happy festive period.
▶ DO check on elderly neighbours over Christmas as some of them may not be able to even get to the shops due to local transport services being at a minimum.
▶ DO think about people living near you if you are planning a party or two. The best way to avoid unpleasant complaints is to invite them.
▶ DO allow yourself two days over the Christmas period when you do nothing except the bare essentials, neither visiting people nor having guests as you will need this space in which to recover from the hectic festivities.
▶ DO buy an extra gift, even a tin of sweets or a bubble bath set, just in case you’ve forgotten someone who hasn’t forgotten you. You can always use them yourself if they are not needed.
▶ DON’T panic and over-order tons of needless food. Try to remember that Christmas only lasts for a few days, you never get half the visitors you expect to cater for anyway and there are always plenty of shops open at all hours these days.
▶ DON’T buy pets for children at Christmas — you will be the one who ends up looking after them for the next 364 days of the year and it’s not fair to the animals concerned.
▶ DON’T start New Year resolutions on New Year’s Eve as you will still have all those chocolates to finish off from the extra tin you bought just in case.
▶ DON’T betray your disappointment if you get the normal Christmas gifts of soap, unguents, stockings, gloves or, in the case of men, aftershaves of dubious origin, scarves, carpet slippers and strangely-shaped pullovers. Remember, it’s the season of good will and smile.
▶ DON’T forget to enjoy yourself, never mind just seeing that everyone else does.