The Pure Life Guide to Christmas (a fun one)…
One person is vegan. Two don’t touch lactose. Three kids are high on sugar. The dogs lost the plot, and someone’s had a drop too much Bailey’s.
Shops are rammed. Elbows are sharp. Christmas pudding is sought.
It’s Christmas all right.
And regardless of all the chaos, cramming and planning, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Turkey, trimmings, TV… the occasional drama over the remote. All washed down with a drop of wine (or two) and a gift.
Whether you’re spending Christmas with friends and family, or you’re having a cosy Christmas at home, we have some top tips to keep it cool, calm, fun and festive.
The Pure Life Top #10 Satirical Tips for Surviving (and Thriving) This Christmas
- First on the list is family. We absolutely love them, don’t we? But throw everyone under one roof and it can be like watching a documentary on Netflix. The key is to position yourself adjacent to the drinks cabinet and befriend the chef. We jest of course, mostly. But whether you’re hosting or a guest, this one is relevant: Get stuck in. Hand out lots of little jobs, offer to help, make it light work. Christmas is NOT about one poor soul sweating for nine hours in the kitchen.
- Food! Turkey, pigs in blankets, crispy, fluffy roast potatoes, sprouts (?), lashings of gravy… Christmas dinner is an institution. Find out the timings, never arrive hungry and offer to bring dessert (you can never have too much dessert).
- Memories! No one remembers the clothes or gadgets they got in 2017. They remember the moments. Why not play a fun, family game, dig out the old family photos and videos, or pop on your fave Christmas movie? Everyone will be smiling and chilling in no time.
- Go small (gifts we mean). No one wants to file for bankruptcy by Easter. You can pop a penny or two in their Christmas card and gift something small and fun. Novelty Christmas pants, a T-shirt with a funny photo printed on the front, a canvas collage with your best, bad pictures… Thoughtful over stressful.
- People pleasing – just say no. If you don’t want to host the in-laws this year, just be the bigger person and offer them a seat outside. The fresh air will do them good. Joking aside, you can sidestep what you don’t want to do with a counteroffer. That’s what Boxing Day or New Year’s Eve are for. The festive season shouldn’t be spent feeling like the head chef of a restaurant with enough swearing and stress to put Gordon Ramsey to shame.
- The dress code: Whether you’re full Christmas glamour or something stretchy and tactical, find out beforehand. Pro tip – why not start glamorous and have some emergency elasticated clothes ready for the post-lunch lull?
- Alcohol: Slow and steady wins this race. No one wants to be that Repeat after me… bucks fizz and mince pies are not an all-day event.
- Outdoors: That’s right. If it’s getting frenetic, remember humans are like dogs. Three square meals and plenty of fresh air. A Christmas day stroll is just the ticket to expend some festive, fizzy energy.
- Goodwill to all men. Should anyone get a little ‘animated’ after too much pinot, see point 8.
- All in all… the 25th of December is not a deadline, it’s a holiday. Do Christmas your way, self-gift to your heart’s content and schedule plenty of ‘you’ time.
And don’t forget to befriend the bar manager…
That’s all from us at Pure Life Care for 2024. It’s been a year filled with companionship and care for the senior community of Kent and our pleasure to do care properly.
All that remains is to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and extend blessings, care and happiness for 2025!
Pure Life Care is a trusted provider of in-home care services (and more) for the elderly across Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay and Kent. As life delivers its twists and turns, it’s our pleasure and purpose to bring additional warmth, light, connection and care into every home and cherished member of our community.
It’s the professional care they need with the dignity they deserve.
If we can support you or a loved one in any way, please reach out to the team here.
