How to prepare well for Christmas? Some tips from Jeannette
Christmas is often the favorite time of the year: everyone gathers with family, and we take time with the people we love: our children, grandchildren, our brothers and sisters, and our closest friends. The important thing is all the harmony that comes from Christmas.
This year, give yourself a beautiful gift. Give yourself a Christmas full of joy, without stress. For that, find Jeannette's 5 tips for a stress-free Christmas.
Tip No. 1: Buy your gifts online
Today it is very simple to do your Christmas shopping online, and you will be surprised to discover that everything can be easily bought on the internet: the latest trendy clothing brands, the latest book by Michel Houellebecq at FNAC, a decorative vase from Habitat, as well as plenty of original gifts like a kit to make cheese yourself at Nature & Découvertes. Everything can now be done, quietly, from your couch. Delivery is often very fast at Christmas, and you can also return your purchases if you are not satisfied. So why rush to the stores in the cold?
Little tip: don't forget to write the recipient's name on the gift... so you don't have to reopen them on Christmas Eve before giving them!
Tip No. 2: Prepare your shopping list in advance
You will soon have 10 to 20 people to serve at the table for 3 days. In terms of organization, it's not that simple! So our advice is to choose your recipes in advance, Appetizer-Entry - Main Course-Dessert, and write your shopping list accordingly. You can choose simple recipes, easy to make, that will please everyone. The important thing is to have a good time with family, and no one is looking for perfection. Plan a simple menu.
Some foods can be bought in advance, especially Christmas logs in the freezer, or snack biscuits. Buy them in advance, this will allow you not to be stressed on the big days. Also, think about the space in your refrigerator, as it will fill up very quickly!
Tip No. 3: Eat light
As they say in my family, "Christmas Eve doesn't always rhyme with a full belly"! So there is no need to plan overly heavy dishes that will sit heavily on the stomach, even if it's hard to pass up foie gras... There is a middle ground to find between "traditions" and "excesses".
Moreover, before the holidays, avoid excesses to prepare your body. It would be unfortunate for your Christmas Eve to be spoiled by difficult digestion.
Tip No. 4: Get help
Why not ask for help from your children or even your brothers and/or sisters by dividing up the different dishes? You can take the opportunity to spend more time with them before Christmas day, and they will also be happy to participate in preparing the family meal.
Tip No. 5: Prepare cozy afternoons with family
At Christmas, it's often the time when we spend long hours by the fire, playing with family, telling stories, or watching classic films, wrapped in cozy blankets.
Indeed, at Christmas, it's the time to revisit all the great Disney classics: The Rescuers, The Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, but also to watch all the films that come back on TF1 and France 2 (Santa Claus is a Bastard, Sissi the Empress, ...), because it's cold outside and you need time to digest the festivities.
For that, make sure to prepare activities in advance: find the boxes of Monopoly and Cluedo, the old DVDs and VHS tapes, ... and leave them lying around visibly, it might give ideas!
Jeanette and the entire team DYNSEO wish you happy holidays!