By Lorna Ive
Who doesn’t love this time of year? I certainly do!!
It can be a very busy time for us mums with school nativities, teacher presents, wrapping and keeping on top of covid tests.
The key to a happy December I would suggest is to be as organised as you can be. This is the first, I repeat the first Christmas that I have nailed Christmas in November. My top tip would be not to procrastinate and to just do it!
So this year I started the preparations at the start of November and the house is feeling festive with Christmas trees and decorations, creating a cosy and warm environment.
Nothing better than a Christmas candle, do you agree?
How did I manage to do this and run the home, my businesses and keep sane this year?
Sit back and relax.
You can follow my plan below that will help you to manage Christmas.
I shall let you in on some of my top festive tips.
Create your own Christmas shopping list, marking clearly who is receiving what gift. Start this if you can at the end of October or early November.
Make space in your diary for a day of shopping.
Whilst shopping if you cannot find what you are looking for, find a coffee shop or a bite to eat somewhere with good wifi. Leaving you time to finish the shopping online.
If you order items early, you can then wrap as they arrive! Saving the last minute and at times exhausting present wrapping.
Keep a close eye on food home delivery spots for Christmas week. Book a delivery or collection.
Don’t forget to send your airmail cards or gifts early in time to reach its destination.
As a lover of Christmas decorations, I have to stop myself! Try to clear out decorations if you are a hoarder like myself. I mark each box with the room that the decorations are to be used for.
A top tip – if you head to a large DIY store such as Homebase, you can purchase Christmas storage solutions. I have not looked back since I bought Christmas tree lights storage. Not only saves you time when putting the lights up, it keeps them neat and tidy!
Don’t forget to get your Tax return prepared and ready for 31st January for online tax return.
If you run a business and are in a position to, set a date that you will stop working. Don’t forget that you need to have time to rest and recharge. Christmas is a fun but busy time. If you can switch off from work for a few days you will be able to unwind and relax.
I always create a Christmas Eve box that suddenly appears during the early evening. The box contains a Christmas film, sweets and chocolates with some fun festive pyjamas for all the family. We then get changed into our Pj’s, watch our film whilst eating the goodies. This is the start of our Christmas fun and a tradition now set for our family.
Festive food, try to prepare as much as you can before the big day. Share the load with your family, delegate people to have certain roles, ie, the washing up, a host ensuring everyone is hydrated remember to take a break from alcohol. A quiz master and ask for help with preparing food. Leaving you time to think clearly and to enjoy the day too.
Christmas Day and after all the excitement, we always head outside for a walk to get a breath of fresh air and conversations whilst walking together. The day then unfolds into a relaxing and fun day with TV and games altogether. With a few of us falling off to sleep by 6pm.
Top tips for self care – If you can feel things reaching boiling point. Take yourself off for a walk, make a phone call to a friend or family member. Why not set up a pamper evening with a nice warm bath, candles and some soft music.
Lose yourself in a good book or a festive film. Take time to treat yourself, Christmas carols and some peace and quiet can really help.
Most importantly reflect on the year 2021 and write down all what you have achieved. Note how this makes you feel and take pride in what you have done.
What did you do or what could you have done better? What would you like to do in 2022 for yourself and your business?
Write down three goals
A personal goal
A financial goal
Business ideas – collaborations, new ideas and products, learn new skills, or outsource some roles that you may need to build your business further.
Do this every three months throughout the year ahead and keep a track of what worked and what didn’t and how you could do things differently.
I would like to wish all readers and all the team at The Sussex Newspaper a very happy Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New year.
Keep safe and enjoy the festivities.
IP/ Lorna Ive 7/12/21