The Perfect Holiday DAY
Many of us ‘stress’ our way in the lead up to the big day as well as on the big day, however what we have to remember is that this ‘big day’ is a day for all coming together and sharing good times together, enjoying delicious foods, and making memories.
If you are the hostess with the mostest on Christmas Day (or indeed this applies to any other big celebration days), then here are some useful tips for you:
Plan & Prepare: Making a list of all that you need to do in the lead up to the big day is super important. This way you can keep track of all that needs to be done.
Delegate/Share the load: It is great to be the host however involving your family and friends is a great way to include them in all the tasks and activities. This way, they are not going to get bored and feel like a part of the whole day and if you have children, this is a great way to get them creative, whether by creating new games you can all play, deciding what games to play, setting the table etc. and even getting them involved with food prep and perhaps baking!
Ambience: Create a warm and inviting environment where all your guests will feel welcomed and comfortable. Light some candles, put some background festive music on and decorate in such a way that truly creates the right warm atmosphere.
Gift Sharing: When it comes to opening your gifts, make sure it is clear from the outset who is buying what and for whom, including setting a budget so everyone knows where they stand (depending on individual finances etc.). Remind everyone that this day is to come together and share being together and not primarily about exchanging (expensive) gifts. If you are on a budget, make a gift: painting, drawing, knitting something, baking a cake, making jams or pickles, etc. etc.
Giving Thanks: When we all come together, it is nice to make some time to share around the table or sofa what we are all thankful for. This brings everyone together and makes the gathering so much meaningful.
Downtime: Make sure that the big day is not ALL about doing but also allowing time to simply BE. In our household, the day begins with some initial preparations (in the kitchen and around the home) and then a leisurely brunch (some ideas shown below) followed by some time to open and share gifts and thanks.
Fun and Games: Create some interactive and fun games to play throughout the day to bring out the creative side in everyone. Here are some ideas:
Charades, Guess Who
Board games
Sharing a value of each person
Musical chairs/statues (fun with some funky music)
There are lots of fun games on Tik Tok if you want to task someone in the group to find them and bring them ‘to the table’ on the day :)
Food: Make sure that you have all your ingredients and food prepared in readiness for the main meal of the day. Don’t forget we eat with our eyes, so whatever you are serving, make sure it looks nice, colourful, presented in nice dishes etc.
Keep the body hydrated: Make jugs of water filled with fresh herbs and fruits (cucumber & mint, lemon & mint, blueberries & rosemary, basil & strawberries) and keep topped up to one side, keeping both the mind (brain) and body hydrated so you don’t lose energy or become too tired.
