Prevent the Christmas burnout

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only three weeks away. And a lot has to happen in those three weeks. Here are some quick ideas on making life easier this festive season.

Don't try and do all the cooking by yourself. Enlist the help of the guests. Finalise your guest list well in advance and try and invite a few non-family members. It diminishes the chance of squabbles. In our climate, cold meats and salads are probably a better idea than traditional turkey with trimmings. Do the Christmas gift shopping now and not a day before the big event. It may be an idea to club together and buy one big present for each person, or to agree on a price limit. No one wants buckled credit cards in January. And remember above all, this is supposed to be a holiday. Try and get some rest too.