Top Tips – Christmas with No Stress, Debt and Excess

 

The festive season is nearly upon us and while it can be a wonderful time it can also bring stress, excess and unhappiness.

Here are some of my top tips to ensure that you have a fantastic festive season. How to ensure everything is wrapped up, sorted, and in good cheer for Christmas and the coming year at home and at work/business.

 

At home

• Cash:

1. Set a budget that you can afford and stick to it.
2. There’s no need to get into debt for months ahead for the sake of one day.
3. If the purse strings are tight agree to only buy gifts for young children.

• Communication:

1. Sort and send the cards and messages in good time.
2. Decide who you’ll be spending time with and communicate it warmly and kindly in good time for everyone to get used to it.
3. Avoid arguments. Don’t let tempers fray – Know when to keep silence and step away.

• Celebration

1. Know your limits when it comes to food and drink.
2. Have fun – but be sensible, shrewd and safety conscious.
3. Know when to take time out and put in time for yourself. 

 

At work / in business

• Contacts:

1. Now and New Year can be a great time to connect with customers, contacts and suppliers.
2. Give them thanks, cards and discounts as appropriate..
3. This may be a good time to spot opportunities for the year ahead to benefit one and all. 

• Clear the decks:

1. Address key issues that need to be resolved pre-Christmas.
2. Sort your holiday plans / cover and communicate aptly and wisely.
3. Clear your desk, sort your files / emails and get everything organised.

• Celebrate:

1. Give yourself credit for all you’ve achieved / learned this year.
2. Celebrate warmly and wisely with business and social contacts.
3. Take time to relax, refresh and re-charge.