‘Tis the season to be…stressed, overwhelmed and financially unstable? We’ve all been there. “How is your Christmas shopping going?” Is probably the most common question thrown around in conversation at this time of year, almost giving the impression that we are all in some kind of race to get our Christmas gifts in order. The magic of Christmas from our childhood days feels like it could be well and truly over. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Have a read of the tips below and see if they can help you reduce the Christmas pressure this year!
Christmas is celebrated by people the world over for a variety of different reasons. Take the time to explore what Christmas means to you? For many people, the social aspect of Christmas is the best part. It’s a rare chance where most people are able to clear their calendar and make sure to take the time to get together – a rarity in our busy world! Other people may enjoy the spiritual aspect of Christmas and taking part in the relevant events and ceremonies. And for some, the best bit is the material side of things. Understanding what Christmas means to you can be extremely helpful in keeping yourself in the right mindset over the coming weeks.
We all know one person who is an expert gift-giver. They always seem to whip up the most creative, thoughtful and spectacular of presents, putting our own gift attempt to shame. Maybe you are this person, in which case, good for you. But for the rest of us, this can make us feel like we need to one-up each other. Instead, try to find a gift that you think would be nice for someone. Maybe you don’t feel like it’s the most exciting of gifts, but it really is the thought that counts.
This ties in nicely with tip number 2. Have a go at pre-planning your spending this Christmas. Expensive does not equate to more thoughtful. Sometimes the best gifts could be the simplest or cheapest.
For some, Christmas is a very hard time. Perhaps you may have lost a loved one or may experience loneliness around Christmas. It may be Christmas, but we cannot force ourselves to suddenly feel ecstatic and carefree. Its ok to reach out to others for support, especially during this time. And if you know of someone who could use the company, give them your time. Even a phone call can be enough to make someone’s Christmas.
Written by Shane MacSweeney
