Do you feel overwhelmed by Christmas and struggle to budget or plan ahead? If so, we recommend setting some timely goals this festive period.
Christmas is the most magical time of the year. School’s out, work is finished and you can finally relax and take some time to yourself right? I wish it was that simple! Although Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends and celebrate together, it can be stressful for many… but, it doesn’t have to be!
Throughout this blog, we will discuss the top 5 goals you can set for yourself this Christmas so you can spend Christmas day doing whatever you do best! Whether it be relaxing, getting the family together or gathering around the TV to watch the Grinch! Whatever it is, our goals will help you enjoy a stress-free Christmas!
1- Set Spending Limits
Christmas is a time to spread love through quality time with the family and presents, but sometimes we can go overboard with our spending. I know I’m guilty of this!
Although it is nice to give to others, make sure that you are sensible with your spending. The last thing you want on Christmas day is to sit there pondering about how you will manage your money until payday.
Remember… Christmas is a day to unwind and make the most of the simple pleasures. There are many ways you can set yourself spending limits, whether this be by:
- Allocating specific amounts for gifts, decorations, food, and other holiday expenses to stay on track.
- Only using cash so that you can visually see how much you are spending.
- Track your expenses by using a notebook or budgeting app, such as Moneyhub.
2- Spend time With Loved Ones
Christmas can be busy and it can be difficult to find time to spend with your family or friends. However, by setting goals and coming up with a schedule for when you can spend time with your loved ones, you will find it easier to spare some time.
Whether it’s organising a festive dinner, planning a day for activities, or simply setting aside time for meaningful conversations, being intentional about your time will help you connect and create lasting memories with the ones closest to you.
3- Set Realistic Expectations
Many of us do everything we can to make Christmas perfect, however, it is important to remember that nothing is perfect and mistakes will happen.
Don’t beat yourself up because something hasn’t gone exactly how you want it to, instead, embrace the imperfections and try to enjoy the moments as they come. Setting yourself realistic expectations will allow you to prepare for Christmas without any unnecessary pressure.
4- Share Responsibilities
If you’re anything like me, then you like to get everything done yourself to make sure everything is perfect for the festive season. However, this can be extremely stressful and can leave you feeling stressed. It can also take the joy out of Christmas, which can cause you to dread it.
This is why it is important to share responsibilities with others, such as cooking, cleaning, decorating or simply just helping around the house. Sharing responsibilities not only gets things done quicker but also takes the load off your shoulders.
5- Prioritise Self Care
Sometimes we are so busy with Christmas that we begin to neglect our wellbeing and needs. Schedule downtime during the busy season. Whether this is by reading a book, taking a brisk walk or simply watching TV, self-care is a must when it comes to relaxing!
Remember… Don’t be too hard on yourself this Christmas. It’s a time for relaxing and spending time with loved ones, so make sure to set your goals this festive season for a stress-free Christmas!
How to Stick to Your Goals
From purchasing gifts for friends and family to attending your kid’s nativity, it’s far too easy to lose structure over the holidays, ultimately making it difficult to stay on track with your goals over the Christmas period.
This is especially the case if your goals are weight-loss or fitness-related – after all, it can be tough to say no to mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolates, and of course, alcohol. Here are some ways that you can stick to your goals this Christmas:
- Plan ahead: One of the best things you can do is create an ordered list with things that you have planned over the Christmas period.
- Give yourself realistic deadlines: For each task and goal, ensure that you have an achievable deadline. This lets you know when you’re close to reaching it. After all, deadlines can be a great motivator!
- Make your goals more festive: If your goal is to prioritise self-care, you can keep up with this in a fun and festive way by taking a relaxing bath with cinnamon-scented candles or enjoying a cosy movie night with a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and peppermint!
Make This Christmas Your Best Yet with These Simple Goals
There we have it! Our top 5 goals that you can set yourself this Christmas. It is important to remember that Christmas is a busy time for everybody, but the reality is it will be over before you know it.
So, make the most of Christmas and spend time doing what you love most! Even if you slip up throughout most of December, try not to lose motivation and don’t be too hard on yourself. With that being said, don’t forget that Christmas is about joy and creating memories, not about perfection.
Setting goals means you can ensure that the holiday season is filled with moments of happiness and relaxation. So, enjoy the festivities, embrace the little imperfections, and make this Christmas your most memorable one yet!
Mark is a multi-award winner in business networking and relationship building. He is passionate about coaching and mentoring business owners and professionals through 1-1 & group coaching, team performance workshops and group mastermind sessions.