Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/228261
40 maltatoday, CHRISTMAS SUNDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2013 Christmas tips to reduce stress Budgeting for Christmas For many of us, the Christmas aftermath includes massive credit card bills that can take months to clear. Christmas doesn't have to be a financial headache if you plan ahead. Stress reduction strategies include: • ork out a rough budget of expected Christmas costs as early as possible. This includes 'hidden' expenses such as food bills and overseas telephone charges. • Calculate how much disposableincomeyouhavebetween nowandChristmas. certain percentage of this can be dedicatedeachweek(orfortnight or month) to covering your expected Christmas costs. • f your nest egg isn t enough to cover your estimated expenses, consider recalculating your Christmas budget to a more realistic amount. Presents f you have a large circle of extended family or friends to buy gifts for, it can be very costly. You might be able to reduce the stress and cost of Christmas for everyone if you suggest a change in the way your family and friends give presents. For example, you could suggest that your group: • uypresentsonlyforthechildren. • et a limit on the cost of presents for each person be fully booked for months before Christmas, so don't waittillthelastminute. Christmas shopping Stress reduction strategies for successful Christmas shopping include: • ake a list of all the gifts you wish to buy before you go shopping. f you wait for inspiration to strike, you couldbewanderingaimlessly around the shopping centre for hours. Perhaps you could get to know the interests of family and friends to help you when choosing gifts (remember money is also a great gift as it allows people to choose whattheywant . • Crosspeopleoffthelistasyou buy to avoid duplication • uy a few extras, such as chocolates, just in case you forget somebody or you have unexpected guests bearing gifts. • fpossible,doyourChristmas shopping early – in the first week of ecember or even in ovember. ome well-organised people do their Christmas shopping gradually over the course of the year, starting with the post-Christmas sales. • uy your gifts by mail catalogue or over the nternet. omecompanieswillalsogiftwrap and post your presents for a small additional fee. The Christmas lunch (or dinner) Relationships Preparing a meal for family and friends can be enjoyable but tiring and stressful at the same time. Some tips to reduce the stress of Christmas cooking include: • f you are cooking lunch at home, delegate tasks. You don't need to do everything yourself. • Consider keeping it simple forinstance,youcouldalways arrange for a 'buffet' lunch, where everybody brings a platter. • akealistoffoodandingredients needed. uy as many non-perishable food items as • • • you can in advance – supermarkets on Christmas Eve are generally extremely busy. ou may need to order particular food items (such as turkeys) from your supermarket by a certain date. Check to avoid disappointment. Consider doing your food shopping online. The store will deliver your groceries to your door. ( eep in mind this option is more expensive than visiting the supermarket yourself.) ook well in advance if you plan to have lunch at a restaurant. Some restaurants may Stress, anxiety, and depression are common during the festive season. f nothing else, reassure yourself that these feelings are normal. Stress reduction strategies include: • on t expect miracles. f you and certain family members bicker all year long, you can be sure there'll be tension at Christmas gatherings. • voidknowntriggers. orexample, if politics is a touchy subject in your family, don't talk about it. f someone brings up the topic, use distraction and quickly move on to something else to talk about. • se relaxation techni ues, such as deep breathing or focusing on your breath to cope withanxietyortension. • amily members involved in after-lunch activities (such as cricket on the back lawn are less likely to get into arguments. Plan for something to do as a group after lunch if necessary. • People under stress tend to self-medicate with alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. Try to remember that drugs can't solve problems or alleviate stress in the long term. FAA organises Carols by Candlelight ON Thursday, 12 ecember the friarsofthe ugustinianPrioryin abat will be opening their doors exclusively to guests of Flimkien ghal mb ent h arforanevening offestivefoodandmusic. t onica Choir will be performing a candlelit celebration of Christmas musicat t ark sChurchthatwas built in 1588 by Girolamo Cassar. ollowing the concert, guests will be invited to continue the evening and enjoy a Christmas meal in the cloister surrounding the central courtyard of the Priory built by ndrea elliin1 40. Proceeds from the evening will go towards the restoration of a magnificent edieval four-panel altarpiece at the Priory which is being sponsored by Flimkien ghal mb ent h ar. For bookings, log on to: http:// faa.org.mt/events/priory/ or call 27 022777 or 99 457399 YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt