Pastoral Care Worker News

How to DE-STRESS Christmas

Christmas is my favourite time of the year but it can also be very stressful, so here are a few tips to reduce stress at this time of the year.

1. Budget for Christmas.  Try and work out a realistic budget for presents and food and stick to it.  My husband has a large coffee jar and we put our small change in it and it is amazing how much that adds up to at the end of the year.
2. Buy When Items Are On Special.  This can be hard, but if you see something that is on special and can afford it, then buy it then. That goes for food and presents.
3. Make a List.  Write down the names of those you need to buy for and know how much you want to spend. I often buy things early, in August or September, and making a list can be helpful so you don’t forget who you have bought for. Cross the name off the list as soon as you have bought the gift.  I have been known to forget someone or buy 2 presents because I forgot about the one I bought a few months earlier, stashed in my wardrobe.
4. Christmas Sales.  We sometimes buy at the Christmas sales if we know ahead who we need to buy for. I always buy my Christmas cards at the sales along with a new Christmas Tree and decorations; it saves a lot of money for the following year.
5. Expectations.  Sometimes we want everything to be perfect but it doesn’t have to be. Try and relax about the whole thing and save money where you can. Home made decorations, table settings, baked goods and presents will save you a lot and the time and effort you put in to this will not only satisfy you, but is also appreciated by the other person.
6. Plan Ahead.  Think of everything you need to do and plan ahead as much as possible.  Buying presents on-line can be cheaper as well as stress free shopping.
7. Share Tasks.  If you are having family or friends over for lunch or dinner, then ask them to bring a shared plate. Christmas Day lunch is at my house this year, but everyone brings a plate of meat and a salad and their own drinks so it cuts down what we need to do.
8. Relationships.  This can be tricky on Christmas Day when you want everything to go smoothly. If you know particular relatives argue, then have name tags on the table and separate them as much as possible. Planning a game of cricket in the back yard or something similar can bring much needed distraction as well. Also avoid touchy subjects like politics as much as possible.  If members of your family are likely to quarrel on the day then separate them completely. One at lunch and the other ones can pop around for tea.
9. Avoid Being  TOO Jolly. Christmas is a great time to eat and drink and be merry but eating too much food and drinking too much alcohol  can be harmful and that is when family arguments can happen as well.  Aim to have fun and reconnect with family.
10. Planning Ahead For The Holidays Will De-stress You.  A visit to the park, the beach, catching a tram into the city, going for a drive, looking for and collecting pine cones, read a book together, craft activities from home are some ideas for the school holidays that doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.

Hope this helps.

Christmas Hampers

Thank you so much to all who have donated some Christmas and pantry items. Boxes are in all teaching units and in the Reception area so please keep the gifts coming if you can.  It will really help some of our families.

Coffee and Chat

See you in the Conference Room, Penney Unit every Friday for a Coffee and Chat from 2.30pm.

Cherie Love, Pastoral Care Worker