Banquet in a Box - Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas

Christmas and New Year can be stressful for the most laid back people.  To avoid raising your blood pressure this Christmas have a look at our stress-busting tips.

1. Focus Your Efforts
Instead of decorating the entire house, just concentrate on the one room your family will spend most time in.  Buy a Ponsietta for the others!

2. Shop Only When Neccessary!
Save the time you usually spend trudging around different shops buying presents by:

• Shopping on-line wherever possible
• Buying similar presents for nieces, nephews, cousins etc.  e.g., Cushions, Cologne, Footballs
• Buy low stress-items such as Books, Gourmet Food or a charitable donation in the persons name
• Make gifts e.g., Jam or marmalade, sweets

3. Get it Over and Done with!

Limit all your entertaining to just one weekend e.g., a Cocktail Party for business colleagues on Friday night, and a casual open house for family and close friends on Sunday.  That way you can limit your food preparation to the week before, get the house cleaned and just touch everything up on Saturday between events.

4. Enjoy the Moment

Don't forget how to indulge yourself in simple pleasures.  When you are making mulled wine or minced pies - savour the aroma and lose yourself in the sensation of pastry rubbing.  Relax your shoulders and empty your mind of worries.  It's all going to be all right!

5.Minimise to Economise

To make sure you don't stress yourself over finances this year, reduce the burden with these ideas:

• Suggest a £5.00 limit on all gifts to nieces, nephews etc.
• Draw names from a hat so that each sibling's family buys gifts for just one other siblings family
• Have a 'Secret Santa' - Each person in the family draws a name from a hat and buys just one present for that person

6. Plan Yourself a Treat

Make sure you plan in a treat for yourself in the new year.  Maybe a day at a Spa or a weekend break away.  That way there's light at the end of the tunnel!  You could even order yourself a Banquet in a Box!