A no-stress Christmas? Get offline, stop baking and play some carols!

The fairytale magic of Christmas?

The idea of an idyllic Christmas in the midst of a snowy world in all its beauty, glitter and happiness is something of a collective dream that we’ve drawn from fairy tales and romantic films. It’s as if long before social media, someone was sharing altered photos and saying this is how it should be. It doesn’t have to be. And actually, it can’t. Because striving for that Christmas ideal stresses us out, and you can’t force that idyll from out of stress. 

Turn off Instagram and look through some old photos

“The first step to getting through the run-up to Christmas in peace is to stop following that altered reality on social media. Instagram photos push us to compare ourselves; they lead to FOMO – fear of missing out – the fear that we’re going to miss out on something, that we won’t be there to experience something, and all those things that look perfect thanks to filters, things that aren’t perfect in our lives, that eats us up,” says the coach and mentor Martina Fau. So turn off your social media, put on some Christmas songs and, instead, look at some childhood photos, because that was when Christmas really was a time of pure joy!

Paint your nails and go sledging

Instead of shopping, make time for a manicure, then grab your loved ones and head to the theatre for a pantomime or go ice skating or sledging. No, it’s not embarrassing – you’re never too old for it. And do your shopping online, maybe with help from our Christmas tips.

“Learn to change from your usual pace, which for many begins in September with the frantic writing of to-do lists. Even if you cross everything off your list, it won’t make you happy, because it’s entirely possible you’ve been completely drained by it. Instead, stop and think about what it is about preparing for Christmas that actually makes you happy. Keep that. And leave the rest. It’s your time, your energy, so it’s your right to utilise it in a way that makes you feel good,” Fau recommends.

Be gentle with your time

Remember that Christmas is essentially just a week-long event. And when you consider that you’ve been struggling for endless months just for seven days, it really makes no sense. Let go of traditions if you don’t even know where they’re from. It’s not worth the nerves and certainly not worth the exhaustion you’ll feel when you can’t even sleep afterwards. 

Spend as much time as possible outdoors and seek out moments in which to create, read or draw. A head that’s tired from racing about all year round will really appreciate it. Switch off completely. The more modest decorations and haphazard cleaning are totally worth it – you barely vacuum anyway, you can always start back up again, and it doesn’t even make any sense!

If you’re going to bake, do it together with some mulled wine in your hand 

Make a party out of baking – make up a bowl of punch, put Christmas music on an endless loop, and have some fun. Or try shared baking and arrange for your friend or neighbour to do a double batch of mince pies whilst you bake a double batch of cookies. Because even the sweetest piece of cake will have a bitter taste if you’re slaving over a hot oven at one o’clock in the morning to do it. 

You can also buy your sweet treats – there are plenty of charities for whom Christmas baking is an important source of income, so it’s a win-win situation. And to make your home smell like baking anyway, all you need is the right scented candles!

Perfect that balancing act

Unfortunately, Christmas is also a time when we’re naturally taking stock at the end of the year. With the weight of that stress and a general mood of pessimism underpinned with fatigue, it’s not a great combination. It makes everything seem worse than it is.

“At moments like this, weakened by the fatigue of the entire year, we often make the mistake of making rash decisions. And that’s long before your New Year’s resolutions,” explains coach Martina, who recommends leaving the crucial steps for when you’re fresh. Put what’s burning down for a moment. Once you’re more relaxed, it’ll seem different. 

Borrowing for gifts is not sexy

So it’s also important to say this: don’t spend more than necessary. Borrowing money for gifts has never been sexy, and certainly not during an economic crisis. If you’re feeling the pressure, look for tips for cheap presents (many of them are really lovely!) and, most importantly, be upfront about it with those you’re spending Christmas with. You don’t even have to say “I can’t afford it’ – just make a game out of gift-giving, and set a price limit of £10 or so. 

So stay calm at Christmas. It’s just seven days – something not to survive, but to enjoy!