Hello christmas

Hello October.

Organisational skills really come into play this month. Getting ready, organised and prepared for Christmas is always a good idea because it takes some of the pressure off for the big day. Various techniques can be put in place to make this easier, including goalsetting. Christmas can be an incredibly stressful time for most people especially in the current economic climate.

So here are just a few tips to take the stress out of Christmas:

·         Don’t spend more than you can afford however tempting. Its just not worth it and it will bring more stress in the New Year when the credit card statement drops through the letterbox.

·         Have an affordable budget and stick to it.

·         It can be more fun to do a Secret Santa with your family to see what everyone can buy for a set amount (Eg £10)

·         Get organised on what food you need to pre-order because this will need to be done in November.

·         Shop around supermarkets. Sometimes unbranded is just as good as branded, if not better.

·         Delegate jobs to other family members so the pressure is not all on your shoulders.

·         If you have small children, hand made cards are fun to make together, are more personal and far more cost effective.

·         Over the years we have lost our way with the true meaning of Christmas. The Christmas story was never about getting yourself into debt buying items that you cannot afford. Its about spending time and having a wonderful experience with your loved ones on this special day.

·         Add a few bits each week from now on to your weekly shop to stop any last minute, expensive panic buying.

·         Don’t be afraid to try and do something creative this year. You might enjoy baking your own Christmas cake and icing it with the children or making your own decorations.

Organisation for Christmas is the key. It takes away stress, allowing you to have a more relaxed and enjoyable build up to the big day. Christmas is not about how much you spend. Christmas is about quality time with your family and friends, which is priceless.