| Christmas can be a time of overwhelm, stress | | | | Christmas is about togetherness, having a good |
| and expense or it can be a happy joyful time with | | | | time, peace and goodwill to everyone, being loving |
| your family. Have a happy Christmas with these | | | | and joyful. It's not about spending so much you |
| 10 tips for having a great time. | | | | go into debt, eating so much you put on 5lbs or |
| 1. Forget Perfect | | | | decorating your house with more lights than |
| Don't tie yourself in knots trying to have a | | | | everyone else in your area. Decide what |
| Christmas like you see on the pages of a | | | | Christmas means to you and don't lose sight of |
| magazine. These are stage managed by a team | | | | that when you're immersed in the pressure to |
| of people and shot in August. You have a real | | | | buy and eat! |
| house and a real family living in it, not a stage set | | | | 7. Show the Kids |
| full of models who only have to look good for a | | | | Today most kids over 6 think Christmas means |
| photograph. Real families argue and burn the | | | | getting stuff. They have lists of toys and games |
| gravy - so don't try and live up to a media image | | | | and designer gear they want - and yet they are |
| you have in your mind. | | | | also open to enjoying other aspects of Christmas. |
| 2. Live in the Moment | | | | Help them experience the true meaning by |
| Sometimes there's so much to do that you spend | | | | sharing special moments. Bake cookies with them. |
| the whole time feeling anxious and planning ahead. | | | | Decorate the tree together. Sing carols and collect |
| Take time to enjoy the delights of the festive | | | | money for charity. Let them parcel up their |
| season otherwise there's no point. If you don't | | | | outgrown toys (or buy some items together) for |
| make space to enjoy the company, the food, the | | | | the needy. |
| decorations and the carols you lose the chance of | | | | 8. Give Yourself |
| sharing the magic which makes Christmas special. | | | | Give in ways other than buying presents to |
| 3. Avoid overwhelm | | | | experience the magic of Christmas. Offer to baby |
| Make a list of all you have to do and cross off | | | | sit so parents can go and buy gifts for their |
| anything which does not make you smile (or | | | | offspring. Take an old lady shopping at the |
| which others would not miss). That should get rid | | | | supermarket in your car so she can stock up for |
| of a lot from your list. If you have too much to | | | | her family coming instead of struggling on the bus. |
| do then ask for help. No one says you have to | | | | Be kind to those serving in shops - it's a busy |
| do it all. Do a little each day of whatever you | | | | time for them and they often receive the brunt |
| have left on your list to avoid getting in a panic at | | | | of others' stress and bad temper. You'll get back |
| the last minute. | | | | as much joy as you give. |
| 4. Budget Wisely | | | | 9. Consider Yourself |
| Everyone spends more than usual at Christmas | | | | When buying gifts for everyone else, buy a few |
| but make sure you stick to what you can afford. | | | | things for yourself. Wrap them up and share the |
| If you will have to spend the next 6 months | | | | fun on Christmas Day. Make sure that you take |
| paying for the extras, then you are better off | | | | your wishes into consideration about how you |
| without them. Do the best you can with the | | | | would like to spend Christmas too. If you don't |
| money you have. | | | | want to spend the whole time travelling between |
| 5. Halve the Cost, Double the Fun | | | | relatives, plan to stay at home next year. If you |
| Christmas has become very commercial in some | | | | want to make something other than traditional |
| respects but it doesn't have to be. You can cook | | | | food, make it! No one creates a rule that says |
| great food without spending a fortune. You can | | | | Christmas has to be this way or that. |
| have fun with your family too playing | | | | 10. Communicate |
| old-fashioned games such as charades or cards. | | | | If you decide to change things let everyone know |
| You can bake or make decorations together to | | | | ahead of time. You don't want any sulking on the |
| get in the spirit of the season and enjoy all the | | | | day. You may not know how important a |
| old family movies they put on at this time of | | | | particular tradition feels to someone until you try |
| year. | | | | and change it. Ask what everyone likes about |
| Presents can be a problem if you're low on cash. | | | | Christmas and try and accommodate as many |
| Suggest a Secret Santa present swap where | | | | wishes as possible without compromising your |
| everyone draws lots and buys for only one adult | | | | own happiness. You may find you can drop some |
| or agree a very low spending limit for gifts so | | | | old traditions without a qualm and you may start |
| that you buy each other something fun rather | | | | to feel great about others once you know how |
| than a costly item. | | | | much they are appreciated. |
| 6. Find the Meaning | | | | Copyright 2005. |