Do you love Christmas, but hate the stress that precedes it? The Christmas holidays should be pleasant, a time to be faced in a relaxed, fun and organized way. Pack the gifts, set up the house, and loosen the belt of your pants in anticipation of the gargantuan meals that await you.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Planning the Gifts
Step 1. Collect gift ideas
Remember the saying: better to give than to receive. Think about what you could buy for relatives, friends, and anyone else on your list. List recipients and gift ideas to make sure you don't forget anyone. Whether it's a nice gift or a sentimental one, taking the time to find the right one for the right person will help you get into the Christmas spirit.
- Finding the perfect gift for someone can be difficult, but guides are available online to help you make your choice. To start, think about a gift based on the recipient's personality or your relationship. For example, if it's a friend you have had since college, you can buy him a college sweatshirt.
- If this person has a wish list, use it. It may seem like a bummer, but according to research, people who receive a long-desired gift are more satisfied than those who receive a carefully selected gift. On the other hand, if you think carefully about what the recipient might like, the chances of buying him something he will like will be much higher.
Step 2. Make a list and double check it
It's easy to get carried away by the holiday spirit, so make a list and set a budget. Sure, you had a brilliant idea for your dad's gift, but that doesn't mean you have to mortgage the house to buy it. To spend in a disciplined manner, make a list, write down prices and alternatives. Always carry it with you.
Step 3. If you want to avoid the crowds, go shopping online
Avoid the pre-Christmas chaos by shopping from the sofa in your home. If you keep a spreadsheet or application open to help you control your expenses, it will be easier to stick to your budget. You may also find great promotions and exclusive deals on the websites. Just remember to read the fine print regarding shipping and returns. You certainly do not want to receive the perfect gift two weeks late, damaged and bound by certain conditions regarding the return.
Step 4. If you want to make sure the product is exactly what you were looking for, go shopping in person
Online shopping can be risky, as it is difficult to see an item in detail and impossible to pick up. If it is the wrong color, size or texture, you will hardly have time to return it. Shopping in person can also be fun, especially if you have the right company: you can have a laugh or ask for an opinion when in doubt.
Step 5. Start counting down
You can use an advent calendar with chocolates, which will help you get into the Christmas spirit with a little daily surprise. If you don't like chocolate, you can use any calendar or download a nice app to help you count down. It will allow you to anticipate the Christmas atmosphere and keep you on track between shopping and preparations.
Part 2 of 4: Setting up the House
Step 1. Let the house soak up the typical Christmas smells
Waking up inebriated with the aromas of this season is ideal for a great start. Place orange peel, cinnamon, apple cider, and cloves in a pot. Let it boil over a low heat throughout the day so that the aroma spreads throughout the house.
Step 2. Create a Christmas music playlist
Whatever genre you like, there are probably Christmas songs that are perfect for your musical tastes. It's good to vary, but only you know which pieces can get you into the Christmas spirit. Whether you decide to search for individual songs or download a ready-made playlist, Christmas music will add to the atmosphere.
Some Christmas classics? "Santa Baby" by Madonna, "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" by Thurl Ravenscroft, "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson and some pieces of the album Christmas by Michael Bublé
Step 3. Decorate your home, office and your own look
After the end of Halloween, the shops start selling Christmas decorations already. The earlier you buy them, the cheaper they will be. You could also use social networks to find used and unique ones, but also instructions on how to create them yourself. Finally, you can decorate the food, face, clothes and whatever else you want.
- Buy themed gift wrapping paper, fairy lights and decorations right after Christmas because they will cost less. If you can buy them in bulk by agreeing with your neighbors, you can save even more.
- Get your neighbors to decorate their homes with fairy lights.
Step 4. Watch a Christmas movie
There are many classics available online or on television - almost all channels have Christmas programming. You can also go to the cinema, as some of the most anticipated films of the year come out on Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Some examples of wonderful Christmas movies: "Rudolph, the puppy with the red nose", "The Grinch", "A Christmas Story", "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Elf"
Step 5. Buy the tree and decorate it
The tree immediately makes Christmas. Whether you buy a real one or go find the one from the year before in the attic, decorate it with family and friends, just like you do every year. Themed decorations are fun and can stimulate creativity.
- Real trees are more authentic, but sometimes a synthetic tree is preferred to reduce the risk of fire.
- If you don't have the space or budget for a traditional tree, you can buy a small one or go and see the trees set up in your city, for example in the square or at the mall.
Part 3 of 4: Christmas goodies
Step 1. Build a gingerbread house
It's a fun activity to share with friends and family. Search for your favorite recipe, then build a home that fits your budget and time. Whether you do it to show it off or to eat it, enjoy the creation to the fullest.
Step 2. Prepare some Christmas sweets in advance
At Christmas you have the opportunity to mix old and new recipes. Sweets can be original gifts. Being the season of the year in which you receive or make more visits, always having them available to prepare gifts or offer them to guests is a nice thought. When you have free time to cook, be sure to store the sweets in airtight, stackable containers to store in the freezer.
- Make sure the cakes have cooled before wrapping them in cling film and placing them in the freezer, otherwise freezing won't happen right.
- Before stacking and freezing the cookies, you can decorate them with royal icing and wait for it to harden. You can also store them in individual plastic bags before stacking them.
- If you will be making various types of desserts, store them in different containers to make sure the flavors don't mix. Store them in the back of the freezer to keep them nice and fresh (they can last up to three months).
Step 3. Create a customized version of the advent calendar
The advent calendar can be found at the supermarket and marks the days until Christmas with a chocolate. It is a cardboard box that has windows. Open one a day from December 1st to Christmas. Use your imagination to create a customized version and choose the candy you will indulge in those days. Whether you prepare some refined and extravagant chocolates or sweets, you can look forward to Christmas because every day you will have a nice surprise.
Part 4 of 4: Planning the Christmas Events
Step 1. Plan a family party
Many families already have annual traditions, but if this is your first time planning a Christmas with your relatives, send out the invitations in advance. When preparing your guest list, be sure to think about any conflicts between members of your close or extended family to avoid inconvenience. Depending on the number of guests, devise an appropriate menu and choose dish recipes that you can prepare in advance.
- If you invite many people, save time and energy by asking to collaborate with the preparation of the dishes. Make sure you have an organized list to offer a wide choice to all guests. Also, your co-workers should have no problem preparing the foods you have assigned to them.
- If there are many children in your family, organize games and activities. Toddlers can be restless as they can't wait to open presents.
Step 2. Plan a trip ahead of the Christmas holidays
Whether you're traveling alone or with friends, Christmas time is one of the hottest times of the year to go, so book early. Many decide to escape the cold and choose warm destinations. Set a budget and consider all-inclusive packages to save money.
- Before planning a vacation, make sure you can take your vacation. Maybe your colleagues have already asked for days off right around that time.
- If you don't know where to go, read reviews or consult a travel agent. Don't book an itinerary without first learning about the pros and cons of a destination. Holidays should offer you an escape from stress, so plan well to make sure your trip is a pleasant one.
Step 3. Organize a gift exchange with your colleagues
You can bring the Christmas mood to the office by setting up an anonymous gift exchange, also called "Secret Santa" or "invisible friend". Just write the names of the employees on cards, put them in a hat and draw them by lot. It is also possible to think of a system that anonymously assigns each employee the responsibility of buying a gift for a designated colleague. You need to set a ceiling on spending and it is also good to emphasize that gifts are appropriate for the work environment.
For an even more casual exchange, get together with your colleagues to have each one buy a gift. Set a cap on spending, so that no one goes overboard. Line up all the gifts and assign a number to each package. Following the rules of the musical chairs game, turn on the stereo - all employees will have to walk around the gifts. Once the music is paused, each participant will have to stop and receive the present next to them
Step 4. Find a place of worship (optional)
Depending on your religion, Christmas can allow you to express your faith. Many churches post their plans for functions during this period on their bulletin boards. Go to your parish to find out. Do you want to participate in the vigil on Christmas Eve? Try to go to church early, as it will likely fill up with worshipers.
Advice
- Place the fragile and valuable decorations on the top of the tree, near the tip, out of the reach of children and animals. This will prevent them from breaking.
- Store the fairy lights, decorations, and wrapping paper well for the next year.
- Try to make as many items as possible by hand: postcards, decorations, bows and even wrapping paper (you can draw on white sheets).
- If the tree is real, recycle it. It also recycles paper and boxes.
- Sleep late on days off.
- Wish everyone happy holidays.
- You can also buy a white artificial tree - you may never have guessed that, but it's beautiful and can make a scene. Some even have built-in lights.
Warnings
- Don't put anything off at the last minute.
- If you have a real tree, remember to water it.
- If you've hung your socks on something heavy, be sure to keep them out of the reach of children. On Epiphany day, help them get them.
- Be careful when lighting candles.
- Make sure you turn off the lights before going to sleep.
- Check the lights and cables to make sure they are not dangerous.
- Use a power strip for the tree lights. Turn them off before you leave.
- Don't overdo the alcohol.
- Do not leave the tree unattended when the lights are on.
- Ask the little ones to help you make the tree and cook cookies.
