Plan Ahead to Survive Christmas
Plan Ahead to Survive Christmas
Christmas is often a time of intense family stress. This is typically a holiday period when family members are cooped up together with an excess of food and alcohol. People who do not see each other often are pressurised into spending long periods of time in each other's company, feigning friendship and goodwill. It is no surprise than January is often the busiest month of the year for divorce lawyers. A little forward planning can help to improve the situation.
- Plan ahead for presents. Listen to what people say about the gifts that they would like to receive. Family members will typically start dropping clues from mid-September. Listen and save yourself a lot of angst later on. For the ladies, beware of buying clothes in sizes too small, fantasy underwear unless you know she will love it, or household gadgets no matter how cutting edge and time-saving they may be.
- Plan ahead for meals. By having a rough outline of what you intend to prepare and which meals you are catering for you can organise shopping lists and menus in advance. Some food maybe able to be prepared in advance and frozen. Also by planning ahead you are able see each day's menu clearly rather than ending up doing last-minute impulse shopping. Include some normal' meals rather than having heavy sumptuous meals every day. Often a tasty soup and wholegrain bread or a casserole will be much appreciated, especially after a long walk. Have some healthy snacks available, fresh fruit is good, and try to keep a check on the amount of sugar consumed. This will help children to become less hyper-active.
- Plan ahead for entertainment. Indoor games that include everyone can be good fun. Charades, treasure hunts and board games are popular at this time of year. Outdoor ball games are good for getting everyone involved and are a useful way of getting everyone out of the house for a while. This can give a little time to take a break.
- Plan ahead for personal time, to do the things that are important for you. Ensure that you allow time to be together as a family, or to visit the family and friends that you want to see. As a couple, you may want to have some personal time together. Even a single person may appreciate having some quiet time to relax and do what they want for a while.
- Plan ahead for exercise. Brisk walks after meals, and on the Bank Holidays when the shopping malls are really busy are a good idea. People benefit from getting out of the house and burning off some of their excess calories and having a break from being indoors. Children burn off some of their excitement and energy.
- Plan ahead for mishaps. Ensure that there is enough fuel in the car. Someone may need an unexpected lift, or to be rescued'. Have a first aid kit in case of an accident.
- Plan ahead for Church. Even if you are not religious Christmas is a time when people take pleasure in connecting with God and having some spiritual time. Have the dates and times of carol services and church services available. Attending these as a family group can bring a lot of satisfaction and reconnection with the spirit of Christmas.
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