Tips for an easier Christmas
December 20, 2023
Ready or not, it’s the count down to Christmas! After a hectic few weeks at Cwtchie HQ, we’re beginning to focus on all the preparations we need to make at home. Here are our top-tips to make the busiest time of year just a little less stressful.
What matters most?
Every household has their ‘favourite’ Christmas traditions that make the day special – for us it’s early morning stockings, left in a row at the bottom of my bed. It’s my girls’ favourite part of the festivities.
Would they be devastated if there was no Turkey dinner? If we forgot the crackers? Santa had to have a Toblerone instead of a mince pie? They really wouldn’t. If you are short of time, energy or money this Christmas, why not sift out the best bits that the family really look forward to from a lot of irrelevant tradition? It really is ok to opt out from some of the more exhausting activities. Better still, make two lists – one of what you WANT to do, and one of the things you feel you HAVE to do. How many of the ‘have to’ list really glue Christmas together; which ones would it make you happy to ditch?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Now is a great time to look at the second list! Which jobs might someone else actually enjoy helping with? Everyone visiting this holiday has a different skill set, even the kids! Many of us will be working over the coming week and there are no medals for running yourself ragged. Don’t feel guilty about enlisting a little help – it’s your holiday too!
Christmas wishes
Over the past few years, our household has embraced a new, ecologically friendly Christmas habit. Instead of sending Christmas cards that will fill the recycling bag or, worse, head to landfill we’ve tried something different. Over the past few years, we have twinned toilets, helped provide water for a village without a clean water supply and provided supplies for a school. This year we’ve filled a Crisis stocking, ensuring someone has a hot dinner and some clean clothes for Christmas. We let family and friends know that we did this in lieu of cards. There’s no landfill, it’s fun to let the family choose the charity, it saves hours and, best of all, someone gets a worthwhile present!
For some great ideas head to:
https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/charity-gift-cards
Or
Or
Avoid a marathon wrapping session.
We’re probably a little late with this one – and very sorry that we haven’t practiced what we’re preaching! Every year we vow to wrap as we buy and just now we’re feeling a little sorry that we didn’t! Imagine not having to face that huge pile and death by sellotape?! Next year we’re really going to do this one. Probably in our Cwtchies with a little glass of Baileys. Promise…
Two more days and then they’re home for the school holidays.
This could be your last chance to get ahead with the Christmas dinner ‘sides’. Sausage stuffing and pigs in blankets freeze beautifully. Soups, pate and desserts are easy to make ahead to free up extra family time for the big day. For lots of delicious,time saving, practical ideas we highly recommend following
Nancybirtwhistle.co.uk or nancy.birtwhistle or Instagram
We hope you have a wonderful, peace filled Christmas. See you on the other side!
