How often does Christmas come and go and we’re left with a headache, a huge credit card bill, stress hangover, more stuff that we never needed (or wanted) and a few extra kilos? Why not have a Christmas where you ignore what you’re “meant” to do and focus on what is right for you?
Christmas to me is about showing those around you that you care, indulging in traditions and embracing a sense of nostalgia. I could do without the excessive meat consumption, drunken rants from distant family members and the guilt over returned gifts.
Here are a few ways to lessen the “Christmas hangover” this week:
GIFTS
It’s the thought that counts, remember? Don’t ignore this sentiment – I always treasure the handpicked “Kim” presents over the pricey jewellery/handbag/gift voucher.
Save your credit card by avoiding the expensive, thoughtless presents and instead spend some time searching for low cost gifts that reflect the recipients personality or your relationship to them. I love anything handmade, whipped up in the kitchen or something that can be customised. Madeit contains a bevy of amazing Australian crafters for ideas.
Get creative with your presentation. Nothing says ‘I prepared this with love’ like an immaculate gift wrapping job.
Spend time on the card. I am always amazed at how many cards I get with “Dear Kim…. Merry Christmas… Love *insert name here*”. What a waste of paper! Tell your loved ones how you feel. What better time to reflect on the year that you’ve had together?
FOOD
Try not to treat Christmas as the one day a year (except your birthday) where you can inhale giant portions of your favourite artery-clogging foods until you roll yourself into bed for a sugar crash nap/culinary coma. Your body isn’t designed to handle four times as much food as usual in one sitting, and who wants to spend Christmas Day keeled over with stomach pains?
Stick to reasonable portion sizes. Let yourself have a little of everything, but think about how much of it your stomach can take.
Perhaps have one decadent meal and a lighter, slightly healthier one before or afterwards.
Balance your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones (preferably water).
EXERCISE
Uh, excuse me? Exercise on Christmas, you’ve got to be kidding me. Yeah yeah, I hear you. There’s a reason that gyms are practically empty over Christmas, nobody wants to drag themselves in to hammer the treadmill or pump iron, but is this just because we treat Christmas as a ‘free pass’?
If you enjoy running, go for a run. If you’re a yoga devotee, get up as usual and stretch out. Hold a dance party with your friends and family to burn off that extra energy from the plum pudding.
We always feel better and more energetic after we get moving, so why not incorporate a little into your day to get the blood rushing?
HOSTING
There is nothing more stressful than being responsible for feeding an entire family on one of the most important holidays of the year. Don’t let yourself be bullied into preparing everything – ask everyone to assist to ensure that you don’t suffer a nervous breakdown!
Suggest that everyone bring one dish/item for the meal. Break it down into mains, sides, desserts and drinks – that ways everything is covered.
If you’d rather not deal with the post-Christmas clean up, book at a restaurant nearby. That way, you get to return to a clean home and not have to lift a finger on Boxing Day.
If you simply must host it at your place, ask politely if people could assist with the clean up. My nanna always used to get us kids to make a dishes train – one washes, one dries and another puts away. Don’t feel bad for asking, people are usually more than happy to help after you’ve worked hard to put on a great meal for them.
What am I doing? Lunch will be with my boyfriend’s family – a traditional Christmas feast, I’m sure. For dinner, I’m hosting a small gathering at my place for Christmas orphans who (like me) may be living away from their family and feel the need for community during the festive season. Instead of gorging on rich, sugary foods we will be eating healthy zucchini pizza and going for a walk along the beach if it’s fine.
But that’s just my take – what will you be doing on the 25th to make Christmas right for you and your body?