During the holidays, we're all busy bees. Everyone wants to see each other before the end of the year, groceries need to be done for the Christmas dinner and breakfast, and as the cherry on top of the Christmas tree, more and more families in the Netherlands are also exchanging gifts during Christmas. But how do you make sure you stay on top of all the hustle and bustle? We share five handy tips.
Tip 1: Your agenda is your best friend
A tight or at least clear schedule is a real must-have during the holidays. Therefore, think about how you want to schedule the holidays and share this with family and friends. Would you rather take it easy because you have young children? Make sure to spend at least one evening at home with the family. Watching a Christmas movie together by the fireplace is just as enjoyable!
Tip 2: Go out with the kids
At the end of December, it's the Christmas vacation. To prevent the kids from getting bored and to avoid nagging, you can create an activity agenda together. Where do the kids want to go? Are there any fun winter activities nearby? By creating an agenda together, you prevent constant asking if mom and dad want to do something. At the same time, the kids have something fun to look forward to.
Tip 3: Help each other out
Are you in charge of the kitchen this year or organizing the Christmas dinner? Then consider asking everyone to prepare their own dish. This way, you're not solely responsible for all the purchases and groceries. And best of all, you'll have more time to sit down at the table and join in on the fun. If you prefer to cook alone, you can also opt for less complicated dishes.
Tip 4: Make Christmas child-friendly
In another blog, we already wrote about how to make the Christmas dinner more enjoyable for the little ones. But have you also thought about the decoration? As cozy as all those candles and glass Christmas balls may be, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. And with little ones running around, a Christmas tree in the middle of the living room is not practical at all. Therefore, make your Christmas decorations kid-proof. Think of non-breakable Christmas balls, rechargeable candles with a battery, and place the Christmas tree in a strategic location.
Tip 5: Start later
Perhaps an unconventional tip, but only start dinner when the littlest ones are in bed. Although it's great to celebrate Christmas together at the table, a six-course dinner is often too much of a good thing. If you want to skip a long evening, you can also opt for a Christmas lunch with friends and family. The most important thing: choose something that makes you feel comfortable.
December is one of the most hectic months of the year. But with the above tips, you'll already come a long way. Make some time for each other and the family and do something fun together. After all, that's what the holidays are all about. Still not convinced? Then you can always go on vacation to avoid this period.
