How to survive Christmas

There is plenty of festive cheer this time of year and yes, even you, can survive it and still come out other end in some sort of shape!

It’s funny, as a kid, the magic of Christmas was incredible. The fact that Santa knew where I lived, read my letters and was always able get me what I wished for.

Now as a parent myself, it’s so awesome that the world’s biggest lie is still alive and well.

Santa in our house is certainly a very welcome visitor as is ‘elf on the shelf’. A very recent (last 2 years in our house) addition to the lead up to Christmas. Yikes it’s nice to be able to check on the internet what other creative elves have been up to…especially at 2am when you suddenly realise Elf hasn’t been moved from the night before!

Yes, that incredible innocence and magic of Christmas is so special. Meanwhile for us mere mortals surviving Christmas can be quite exhausting. Especially if you intend to attend every social function you have been invited to. For some strange reason, the tradition and often urgency to catch up with people before Christmas continues.

Yes, we all know the world is not ending on Christmas Day and we know we can still see people after the festive season, but, Christmas is a time of odd traditions.
Like…. having roast chicken, roast pork … everything hot … a logical tradition for the countries in the middle of winter, not though for a (sometimes) mid 30 degree summers day in Australia.

Each to their own and each family has their own adapted traditions … but the real joy of Christmas should be about drinking and eating as much as you can, (joke!). No, in all seriousness, it should be a great opportunity to do what makes it special for you on that day.

Here’s a few tips that we should try to remember at this time of the year:
Christmas comes around once a year, allow yourself to enjoy some yummy food and catching up with friends and family.
If your ‘tradition’ is to enjoy a meal together with family and friends at Christmas, go around the table and ask each person what their highlight was for the year.
It’s ok to exercise on Christmas day!! An hour a day keeps the doctor away…it will help you survive Christmas day and remember you WON”T lose any fitness in one day.
You can say no to some Christmas break-ups/catch-ups, enough is enough sometimes.
Don’t be the last one to leave, it’s nice to still be able to something the next day.
Food and alcohol, don’t abstain from anything…a little bit of everything won’t hurt you.

Have a great Christmas everyone and look forward to more in 2019.