Survival hacks for Christmas
It’s the time of year to eat, drink and be merry. But despite the hype, there’s something about Christmas that can drive some of us a bit nuts. Here are our top tips to help you through the silly season.
Forgot the Christmas wrapping paper?
Conveniently, eco wrapping is the in-thing this year. Wrap your gifts in newspaper or an old tea towel and let everyone know you’re an eco-warrior now.
Organised fun
Sick of the small chat? Or hoping to avoid the controversial political debate this year? Get everyone off the couch and into some wholesome activities. Backyard cricket, petanque or kubb are guaranteed outdoor fun. If the weather’s not playing ball get cosy inside with a game of charades or headbands. Watch a wholesome Christmas classic like Home Alone or Love Actually. Or turn a movie into a drinking game – taking a swig every time Macaulay Caulkin screams.
Embrace Christmas (or at least pretend to enjoy it)
Wear the flashing earrings or paper hat, put tinsel in your hair, and read the Christmas cracker jokes, even if you’re a grinch. Who knows, you might even have a good day!
Hair of the dog
If you’ve overindulged in the ‘drink’ part of ‘eat, drink and be merry’, there’s nothing like an alcoholic beverage to cure the hangover. The theory is even scientifically proven to work (in the short term, anyway). Alcohol acts on chemical receptors in the brain to increase the feelings of pleasure, which begins to overpower the hangover symptoms.
Be grateful for socks
Socks have become the most under-rated Christmas gift of all time. They are, after all, extremely practical and something we all need. If the socks aren’t up to your fashionista standard, settle on wearing them at home only. Each time you do, be thankful that someone loved (OK, liked) you enough to buy you anything in the first place.
Sign the grumpy oldies up to Facebook
Got a family member whose conversation would be more suited to a Trump rally? Or someone who loves to start an argument before you’ve had a chance to finish your Christmas pudding? Give them an iPad, and their own Facebook account, and divert their efforts to becoming the latest keyboard warrior.
Skip the diet
The convenient thing about pigging out at Christmas is that New Years Resolutions are just over a week away. Gyms and diets might as well wait until 2020.
