1. MAKE LISTS: There should be one for the gifts you have to buy, the groceries you need for Christmas events you are hosting, the people to whom you need to send greetings. Feel a sense of achievement as you tick the items off one by one.
2. BUY READY-MADE: Don’t be the martyr slogging over a hot stove just because you’ve done it in the past. If you make the main course, let the supermarket Christmas fairy take care of the starter and dessert. God made Woolies for a reason.
3. DELEGATE FOR CHRISTMAS LUNCH: Assign different dishes to different people. Sharing the load will reduce your stress, and it encourages participation, which in turn creates intimacy and bonding.
4. BUY AT CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Blowing some cash is unavoidable, but do it away from the malls. Malls are money munchers, and stressful to boot, especially if you’re in freefall without a list!
5. GO SHOPPING ALONE: Go without your partner, nagging children or competitive friends who tend to sabotage your budget. And shop like a man, with an unerring route to products on your list and a quick exit plan.
6. SHOP ONLINE: These days you can get almost anything online, and delivered to your door. Get going on eBay, Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Kalahari, Wantitall, Zando, Takealot, Loot and Bidorbuy.
7. START WRAPPING: Who needs to spend Christmas Eve surrounded by wrapping paper and strips of sticky tape? Wrap gifts as you get them.
8. USE E-CARDS: Gone are the days of laboriously writing on cards and envelopes to bundle into the post (which doesn’t work during a postal strike anyway). Choose a festive e-card from the wide selection out there. And send it for free!
9. DON’T RELY ON MIRACLES: Power outages are a fact of South African life, Christmas included. So don’t chance the ruination of your frozen treats. Make sure your generator is fuelled up and works, that the battery for your power converter is charged up and that you have gas and candles.
10. MAKE A NO-GIFT PACT FOR ADULTS: This might be anathema to some, but can you actually remember what your nearest and dearest bought you last year? Truth is you often end up with a pile of unwanted stuff, and that’s not what Christmas is supposed to be about. Make a pact with family members that adults won’t get Christmas presents (exclude host/hostess gifts). Concentrate your money and energy on the children instead.
11. GIVE OLDER KIDS CASH: That’s what they really want anyway. Especially as they hit their teens, kids know better than any adult what they want. It also encourages them to understand the value of saving money and spending wisely.
12. RE-GIFT: If that waffle iron from last year is still new and in its package, re-gift it and give it to someone who’d love it. Sure, you can use one of the gift bags you saved in your stationary drawer, but be sure the label is clean!
13. TAKE A DIET HOLIDAY: If you’ve been dieting and lost weight, pat yourself on the back. Then take a break. Not by going on a binge, of course, but by having that slice of cake if you feel like it (if you’re on the Banting diet). Forget about the calorie watch for a while. It’s time to relax and have a little fun.
14. BEHAVE AT THE OFFICE PARTY: Don’t unleash the party beast within at the office do. Two rules of thumb: don’t drink too much and don’t get over-familiar with your colleagues, especially the boss. If you can’t resist hooking up with your workmate afterwards, leave the party separately.
15. KNOW WHEN TO CALL IT QUITS: Gorging on eats and treats just because you can indicates an unhealthy need for instant gratification, and it does nothing for your waistline. Take it easy, especially on the alcohol, which is the biggest culprit in family fallouts over the silly season. Remember, there’s life after Christmas.
16. TAKE CARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Posting photos of yourself partying wildly and writing sentimental status updates inspired by a tipple or three is not a good idea. Again, there’s life after Christmas.
17. GET ORGANISED IF YOU’RE HOSTING: Do a headcount now and make sure you have all the appropriate seating, tables, plates and cutlery. If you don’t have them, beg, borrow or buy what you need to minimise panic on the day. Make sure you also have enough crockery to serve all your food.
18. CREATE NEW TRADITIONS: Who said you have to do the same as last year and the year before that? Christmas can range from mildly annoying to downright unpleasant if you’re obliged to endure Uncle Tom getting drunk and picking a fight, or if you’re always the one burdened with the cooking. Change tradition. Book a restaurant, serve chicken rather than turkey, flee to the mountains…
19. SINGLE? GET SOCIAL: The cardinal rule for singletons at Christmas is: don’t wallow. Call a friend, go out, make an effort. And don’t worry if you’re the only single person at a party of couples. Fact is they’re taking much less notice than you think they are. Relax and enjoy yourself.
20. BE KIND TO YOU: You’ve had a tough year too, and some pampering is due. Spend your time with people who love and support you, not those who drain your energy. If you’re on your own, love yourself with a candlelit bath, your favourite CD and a glass of something nice.
21. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF: Such as the fact that this makes more than 20 tips…