How to have a stress-free Christmas

Fed up of running around like a headless turkey at Christmas? Our top tips will get you organised, free-up some time and even let you enjoy yourself

Help Christmas day run smoothly

For most December 25th revolves around food and gifts. Pressies don't need planning but mealtimes do. Decide what time you are going to eat and work backwards from that point. Most cookery books will give you an idea of how much time you'll need to cook the Christmas feast - aim for at least 2pm or you'll be up at the crack of dawn.

Don't make a meal of dinner
Peel and trim your veggies the day before and store them in water so that they don't go brown. Wrap the sausages in bacon on Christmas Eve and make sure your meat is ready to go straight into the oven - and that everything is defrosted properly. This way, when it comes down to it, all you'll need to do on Christmas morning is cook.

Have a secret weapon
At seven o'clock on Christmas Eve younger children (and many grown-ups) may be getting a bit over-excited. As a treat (and bribe) let them open one special early gift from under the tree. Then put on a relaxing family DVD they can watch quietly before going to bed. 

 

Chosen by House to home

Have yourself a stress-free little Christmas

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