Christmas Isn't Always Easy... Christmas is just over six weeks away, and while it's a wonderful time of year it can be stressful for some. Finding the right gift, planning the perfect lunch, spending time with family and keeping everyone happy can be difficult and we put ourselves under immense pressure for one day, how crazy is that?! Would our family and friends really think any worse of us if our Christmas table wasn't perfect, the tree wasn't Instagram worthy or we hadn't spent a small fortune on gifts that sometimes end up in the back of a cupboard somewhere.
Now, I love Christmas. I love the decorations, the smells, cooking delicious food and I love giving gifts but most of all is the precious time we spend with loved ones, something a younger me definitely did not appreciate.
While it is a time of celebration for many, it can also be a difficult period for others. Some of us will be facing another year without a loved one, while others may be navigating the first Christmas without a loved one. It’s important to acknowledge that grief and joy can coexist during the holidays, and it’s okay if Christmas doesn’t always feel “merry and bright.”
Christmas Traditions...
Every family has its own traditions, and ours is no different. Christmas Eve is always a special one for us because the kids (25 and 21 so not quite kids but you know what I mean) stay over, the boys enjoy a roast ham and nibbles (vegan choices for me) and the husband and I enjoy a glass or two of champagne. Christmas Day is when the madness usually starts; the rest of the family come and we all have lunch together.
This year will be a little different because our youngest won’t be here for Christmas lunch. He’s a chef so he’ll be busy working in a hotel kitchen, making sure other people’s Christmas meals are special. We’ll miss him, but we’re very proud of the amazing job he’s doing.
If you're stressing about hosting this year, my best advice is to try and let go of the need for everything to be "perfect." Get help where you can, prepping as much as you can in advance definitely helps but most importantly, don’t forget to actually enjoy the day. After all, it’s not about a flawless table setting or the fanciest dinner—it’s about the people you’re with.
Shopping Stress.. Gift-giving can sometimes get a bit stressful, right? But it doesn’t have to be! I have put together some pocket friendly Christmas gifts for those who love handmade skincare that are under £20 – perfect for stocking fillers, secret Santas, or a little treat for yourself (because why not?) We also have online gift vouchers if you're really stuck! Keep an eye out for last posting dates for you to get your order on time.
So this Christmas appreciate the traditions and moments that bring us together, whether we're surrounded by loved ones or missing those who can't be with us. It's not always about having the perfect Christmas, but about finding meaning in the small things—shared meals, quiet moments, or just taking time to pause. However you spend Christmas, may it be filled with a sense of peace and connection, and a reminder that Christmas is as much about the memories we create as the ones we carry with us always.
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