Tips for a Stress Free Christmas

[Sojourner]

Not my work but a cut and paste from the Salvation Army Careline Website, I am tipping a few of them could be helpfull! - I think the one about clearing the air with people you have had issues with prior to seeing them on Christmas day is a good idea!

Tips for a stress-free Christmas

Christmas is meant to be fun, but for many it can become a source of anxiety and frustration as financial, emotional and family issues come to the fore. Here are some tips from Salvo Care Line on how to avoid stress this Christmas.

Ideas for buying Christmas presents

make a list before going shopping
make gifts instead of buying them
set a limit on the cost of presents
leave your credit card at home whilst browsing for presents
have each member of the family buy for a different person, rather than everyone buying for everyone
avoid last minute spending Ideas before Christmas Day

try to have a rest day before Christmas
dont expect a "perfect" Christmas Day celebration
organise any parenting issues well before Christmas so children are not subject to any extra stress
try and clear the air with anyone youve had a recent disagreement with before you see them on Christmas Day
be flexible to changing previous years' arrangements if family members want to try an alternative
be mindful of any stressful situations or family issues that might arise

Ideas for Christmas Day

share responsibility for the meal with a number of family members (not just the women!)
if you drink, watch your alcohol intake (and avoid saying something you might regret!)
dont bring up previous quarrels on Christmas Day
dont be too critical if everyone does not behave how you hoped.
a cold lunch may reduce the stress of cooking (and also means that family members are free to come and go as they need to)
try having your main meal in the evening so relatives can also visit others during the day
focus on the positive things about people rather than the negative
visit someone who may be lonely or invite them over to share lunch with you
visit a church and contemplate the real meaning of Christmas

Salvo Care Line is The Salvation Army's 24-hour telephone counselling service. If you need to talk, call 1300 36 36 22.

http://salvos.org.au/christmas/helpful- ... istmas.php

[A Mum]

That's very good

Thankyou Sojourner

[Punk Rooster]

PR's tip-
sit & home on the couch watching DVD's, don't buy anyone presents.

[mighty_tiger_79]

MT79's special x-mas tip
go to work and earn triple time$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$cccccaaaaaaaaacccccchhhhhhhiiiiiinnnnnnnnggggggggggg

[JAS]

PR's tip-
sit & home on the couch watching DVD's, don't buy anyone presents.

Works for me.

Regards
JAS

[Thiele]

Whem i go Christmas Present shopping i all ways go and do what needs to be done. I have a mental map of Marion go there and when finished go straight home. Normally go early. I hate crowds

[dinglinga]

change reiligions

[hearts on fire]

Whem i go Christmas Present shopping i all ways go and do what needs to be done. I have a mental map of Marion go there and when finished go straight home. Normally go early. I hate crowds

You read my mind Thiele, exactly what i do too. Get what you need and GET OUT!!!

[the big bang]

Whem i go Christmas Present shopping i all ways go and do what needs to be done. I have a mental map of Marion go there and when finished go straight home. Normally go early. I hate crowds

You read my mind Thiele, exactly what i do too. Get what you need and GET OUT!!!

me too....oh....hang on a second. thats not right. i leave it up to the missus!!!

I WIN!

[A Mum]

Whem i go Christmas Present shopping i all ways go and do what needs to be done. I have a mental map of Marion go there and when finished go straight home. Normally go early. I hate crowds

You read my mind Thiele, exactly what i do too. Get what you need and GET OUT!!!

me too....oh....hang on a second. thats not right. i leave it up to the missus!!!

I WIN!

TBB you cheat !!!!

[Booney]

1 : Buy loads of beer two weeks before Xmas so you dont end up getting 6 packs 3 nights a week.

2 : When the kids tell you what they want,get it. Then you know they will like/use what you get them.

3 : Never,ever ask the wife does she need help. Now,may sound foolish but you risk taking no part in the action ( as usual ) so net loss of 0,but if by chance you get aksed " Dont you think I can do it? " in return,do what MT said and go to work.

4 : Avoid any major shopping complex from now until mid January. Women wandering around mindlessly looking at shiny things. Stay away men,stay away.

5 : When you catch up with people you only see this time of year and thye ask " What have you been up to? ", I have done this BTW, say " I have spent the last 12 months wondering what we could possibly talk about tonight". They'll leave you alone.

6 : Outlaw family shows suck.

7 : Baaa Humbug.

[Psyber]

Given my wife's recent death I've decided to skip Christmas this year...
That'll de-stress it a bit.

[The Ash Man]

Do all your xmas shopping in the bottlo'
They even have gift bags
Its win-win
You dont have to get out the car and no wrapping!

[smac]

Christmas shopping is for the women, I provide ideas in about July then hand over the process. Too much drinking to be done to worry about anything else at this time of year.

[johntheclaret]

Book a Cruise and F$%k off for xmas.

but with 6 kids and 4 grandkids Mrs JTC won't let me book one

[Thiele]

Say you are doing Charity work thewn go away. Just make sure the airport is not fogged in and there is no t crew around and you will be fine

[Lunchcutter]

I know at times it can be hard... but try and relax and make the most of being with loved-ones, friends etc... you never know ` it could just be last time you see them... (sorry to be melodramatic, but it's true) memories last forever

[Pseudo]

memories last forever

Depends how much you drink

[The Ash Man]

memories last forever

Depends how much you drink

[The Ash Man]

Dont be in a 10 year war with your aunty
So bad that I refuse to sit with the adults for Xmas lunch
Im 27 and still sit at the kids table cos I cant be in the same room as her...

Stress-free!!!