6 ways that lists can reduce your stress this Christmas
Posted by Samantha Lyth
on 22nd November 2023
It might be my age, but it seems like Christmas comes around more quickly every year. From the schools going back in September the year just seems to rush past and before you know it the whirl of Christmas celebrations is upon you.
As December approaches the stress can build and you wonder how you are going to fit everything in. Even though my adult children now host Christmas, it still seems there is so much extra to do at this time of year.
When the children were at home and we hosted Christmas, usually cooking for between 10 and 14 people, I would feel totally overwhelmed by the end of November, just thinking of everything I had to do. So here is how I coped.
“He’s making a list and checking it twice” does not just apply to Santa – it is good advice to get you through the festive season. A good list is my way to reduce stress and make sure everything is ready for the big day.
Why are lists so good for reducing stress at Christmas?
- You can get everything out of your head and onto a piece of paper. Personally, I prefer handwritten in a notebook, but a list on your computer or smartphone is fine.
- It allows you to order what needs to be done – you can write different lists, for example, a Christmas card list, a present list, a food/menu list, and a to-do list.
- It allows you to plan your time – if you are hosting Christmas, you can look through your list and see what can be prepared ahead and how far ahead. I used to love pottering on an evening and making food ahead to pop in the freezer: pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mince pies were all made well ahead and frozen.
- It helps you prioritise – what really NEEDS to be done and what doesn’t really matter. You probably will need to order some food in advance, but are the handmade place cards necessary or something that would be nice if you have the time?
- It gives you the opportunity to delegate – are there some things that your guests can supply (although if you ask your brother-in-law to provide crackers you will need to specify whether these are crackers for cheese or the ones that make a pop!). Someone in the family might be a wine buff, so ask them to bring wine. Your children might love icing the cake, so let them do it.
- It gives a lot of satisfaction – working through your list and ticking things off gives you a real feeling of accomplishment.
And I have one other tip for surviving Christmas: it doesn’t have to be perfect.
In the wonderful 2008 Royle Family Christmas special daughter Denise, whose contribution to fine dining is Dairylea on toast, was hosting. Food-wise it was a disaster and yet even as she sobbed “all I wanted was a Nigella Christmas” you knew that it was probably the most memorable Christmas they had!
What we remember most is the fun (or otherwise) that we have, the things that don’t go quite to plan and the “Dad jokes” that all become part of our very own Christmas traditions.
Blog by Sam Lyth at Skeleton Leaf
