Save Time & Reduce Stress During the Festive Season Rush

"It's the most wonderful time of the year," but also one of the busiest and most stressful… With everything on your to-do list and the expectations of gift-giving and entertaining, the festive season can quickly start to feel more like work than a holiday. Make it more enjoyable by following these simple time-saving and stress-busting tips.

• Start early

Cramming everything into the week before Christmas is a sure-fire way to feel stressed out, so try to complete your festive season activities over a longer length of time. For example, you could start gift shopping, decorating your home, and putting up the Christmas tree this month already. You also needn’t buy, put up, and decorate the tree all in one day. Spacing tasks out makes them more manageable and less stressful.

• Limit spending

Money can be a big source of stress during the festive season, so try to be organised and realistic about your budget. There are many small ways you can save on costs, especially when it comes to gifts. For example, you can make easy and inexpensive gifts such as these homemade sugar scrubs, pasta with sauce, or salted caramel. Manage impulsive spending by making a list of what you need in advance, working out the costs and taking only the amount of cash you can afford to spend.

• Shop online

Skip the crowded malls and complete your shopping online. From gadgets and gifts to groceries and clothes, almost everything can be found online these days. Shopping online means you can get more done in less time, without even having to leave the house. Many stores also offer promo coupons or discounts if you sign up for their newsletters, so keep a lookout for these before making your final purchases. And when shopping locally, try to visit the shops at off-peak hours when they’re less busy.

• Meal prep

Every time you make a family meal in the weeks before Christmas, double the recipe so you can freeze half and keep it for those busy days when you can’t get around to cooking. Ready-made meals will also come in handy when family and friends pop round for an impromptu visit. 

• Make clean-up a breeze

'Tis the season for cooking and crafting (and cleaning, unfortunately). Minimise kitchen clean-up hassles by filling the sink with hot soapy water before you begin cooking or baking. That way, you can clean dirty dishes as you go along or quickly wash any items you need to reuse. Another great tip is to give the kids a foil-lined baking sheet to work off of when making Christmas biscuits or crafts. The biscuits can be baked on the sheets themselves, and craft mess can be wrapped up in the foil then thrown away.

• Take time out

It’s been a busy year and you also deserve a break. Don’t attempt to tackle everything at once and on your own, enlist the help of your loved ones in ticking off those holiday and household chores. Also make time for the activities you find relaxing, such as watching a movie or going for a massage. Continuing with daily rituals like going for a walk in the evening or reading a book before bed can also help you achieve calm amidst the festive season rush. 

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What are some of the ways you try to save time and sanity during the festive season? Share your tips and thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.