How To Survive Silly Season
From Gifting To Shapewear
Survive The Christmas Chaos And
Host Without The Stress
The Madness Begins
when the festive season goes from busy to bonkers
Silly Season has arrived and, like it or not, you can’t avoid it and you can't help being affected by it. Everywhere from car parks to coffee shops have, almost overnight, become busier and noisier and you can sense that undercurrent of seasonal chaos as it starts to make itself know.
My silly season starts as early as October, with various birthdays, Halloween - AKA the night I vanish from view (you can read all about that here) Bonfire Night, kids’ half-term breaks (different dates, obviously), and, of course, the festive season to contend with. Tra la la la la - oh joy...
I’m quietly confident that many of you are silently screaming along with me.
Bedlam On The High Street
impossible bookings, high street chaos and mince pies galore
From mid November onwards you can forget about making a last minute booking at your choice of restaurant and, if you are lucky enough to be graced with a reservation that suits, you’re often stuck with a limited menu and sub par service. Shoppers and the high streets are in overdrive, the postal and courier services have gone into meltdown - a little like me by this point - and generally speaking, it’s all just bedlam.
And food shopping during December? Apart from the usual supermarket craziness, just how many mince pies are we all expecting to get through in 31 days? Well, that would be less than half the number that find their way into our shopping trolly. Trust me when I say that I know this from experience!
Indeed, it's exactly this time of year that I'm grateful that I made the decision to opt for a supermarket delivery pass. Not only do I save myself from the overwhelm but also the lure of the seasonal aisle, where I spot things I suddenly realise 'I need' - which, funnily enough, hadn’t crossed my mind before.
As quoted in a recent article in Money Saving Expert, "It's A Supermarket's Job To Make Us Spend Money". It's well worth a read before you head out to do your next food shop.
I'm also grateful that I choose to have a fruit & veg subscription box. There are lots of different suppliers out there and it's worth looking around to find one that suits. My Abel & Cole organic box means that I don't have to worry about running out of nutritious essentials if I don't feel like battling the crowds.
In addition, I'm guaranteed to have what we need over the festive period if I opt for their Christmas box which always feels a bit special and a little luxurious - and there's the opportunity to add lots of other lovely treats into my order too.
Skip The High Street Chaos
find unique gifts on line
This year, whilst not exclusively, I've done a fair bit of my gift shopping online. I much prefer to spend a cosy afternoon at home, curled up in my favourite chair with a mug of Yorkshire, browsing at my leisure instead of battling hoards of Christmas shoppers.
Debenhams has been particularly useful for all sorts of gifting but there’s a lots of quirky, offbeat stores online with unique gift ideas just waiting to be discovered.
I've recently stumbled upon Holly & Co, 'the small business marketplace championing UK artists and makers'. The idea behind this genuinely fills me with warmth. I've already made a point of diarising in a few hours to spend some quality time delving into this site and ticking off the final items from my gift list.
Partywear Panic
the annual hunt for something that fits
Talking of too many mince pies, it’s also that time of year when those of us who've noticed gravity has a sense of humour - myself very much included - realise that, try as we may, nature no longer keeps things in quite the same place as it did 20 or so years ago.
I am, of course, talking about the annual quest to find something acceptable to wear for the party season. Now, if you're anything like I was 25 years ago, you’ve probably had your festive partywear hanging proudly in your wardrobe since the end of the summer. It may have even been teasing you occasionally by peeping out and catching your eye, just waiting to join that excited feeling you have in your tummy as December’s shenanigans approach.
If, however, you are anything like I am now, then you’ve probably been putting off this hellish shopping trip for as long as you can get away with. That excited feeling from your dim and distant past has been replaced with apprehension and trepidation - a little like indigestion - and has you reaching for the Rennie in spades.
Of course, I can’t speak for everyone. I do recognise there are exceptions to the rule. Unfortunately however, I’m not one of those lucky ladies whose body has been that blessed. I do believe that once you get past a certain age, it doesn’t matter how trim you are, there are just some fabrics and styles you need to steer away from.
What I could pull off at age 25 is now
firmly in the 'you’ve got to be kidding'
category, snugly nestled between
'never in a million years'
and 'not happening any time soon'.
If, like me, you’re in need of a bit of outfit inspiration that doesn’t assume we are all a standard size 10, then head on over to Styling with Rebecca. She’s absolutely brilliant for realistic mid-size fashion and partywear ideas that won’t make you want to cry in the changing room.
If you find an outfit you really do fall in love with or if you simply refuse to admit defeat, then there's always shapewear. I wholeheartedly admire anyone that goes down this route because, personally speaking, if my last shopping escapade is anything to go by, that’s not an option I’ll be revisiting any time soon - and by ‘soon’ I mean ‘ever’!
I have completely compilated in that department and, if I’m honest, I would rather reach for another mince pie.
Changing Room Catastrophes
innocent optimism, man's best friend and the stretch that never was
You see, this time last year, I found myself in the changing room of a well known department store trying on a variety of shapewear. Trust me when I say that the result was not pretty. I gawped in amazement at the size 6, twenty something sales assistant when she handed me a garment that can only be described as akin to an all-in-one dog suit - you know, like the ones that keep your pooch dirt free in rubbish weather.
I kid you not when I say it bore a striking resemblance to Mr. B’s Equafleece - an absolutely brilliant purchase by the way, but just one look at his face will tell you that he and I don't share the same opinion on this matter. In fact, whenever he sees me reaching for it he scarpers faster than my my kids do when they sense I'm about to ask them to empty the dishwasher.
I literally laughed out loud and exclaimed...“there is absolutely NO WAY I’m getting into that!”
The lovely young lady was not deterred however. She simply smiled and assured me that the garment would stretch. She was so genuine that I actually wanted to give her a hug.
The Trials of Shapeware
The Struggle Is Real
Needless to say, I couldn’t even get this particular torturous piece of kit past my ankles, so it joined the ever growing pile of things I’ve tried and promptly rejected.
Separate tops and bottoms are the worst for me. The moment I pull one bit in and shove another up, something else gets pushed down and out. The spillage has to land somewhere and usually it’s in that charming gap between the bottom of my bra and the top of my knickers. All-in-ones are out of the question because my top and bottom halves simply don’t match in size. And as for the strapless numbers, well they’d be perfect if only the upper section didn’t require a prayer and a miracle to stay put.
As you have probably guessed, I left the department store considerably more frazzled than when I arrived and with the reinforced knowledge, pardon the pun, that these days, if I want to wear anything remotely figure hugging, then I would need to don undergarments that would begin just below my neckline and end at my ankles. Essentially, something that would earn me a place as an extra on the set of ‘The Mummy Returns’.
Of course, I haven't tried every brand and for as many people as shapewear doesn’t suit, there are just as many - and more - for whom it works perfectly. Brands such as Spanx, Shapermint and Skims are well worth taking a look at, as are own brands at Marks & Spencer and John Lewis.
A heads up though to always check return and refund policies, especially if anything you order online is being sent from abroad. I learnt the hard way once and had to really battle to reclaim the import duty.
Why Winter Is Perfect For Home Entertaining
cold nights, cosy vibes and entertaining made easy
Given all the above, you would be forgiven for thinking that the last few months of the year isn't exactly the ideal time to add anything extra to your plate, especially when it comes to entertaining at home. I mean, winter is looming, it’s getting colder so surely you’d rather hit 7.00 pm, whip off your bra, climb into your Winceyette PJs and settle into hibernation mode.
So it might surprise you to hear that I actually think this is the perfect time to start thinking about entertaining at home.
"Whyever would I want to do that?!" I hear you cry in dismay? Well, before you hit me with a barrage of bar humbugs, read on. You may not immediately agree with my slightly skew-whiff logic but bear with me.
Perspective & Simplifying Entertaining
what really matters
My logic is that there is no better time to get into perspective what is really necessary and achievable, than when you are faced with the pressure of virtually no free time and far more on your ‘to do’ list than you think you can manage. It’s like the saying goes “if you need something doing then ask a busy woman”.
Now pause for 30 seconds, quietly contemplate this thought and then read that paragraph again.
“There is no better time to get into perspective what is really necessary and achievable, than when you are faced with the pressure of virtually no free time and far more on your ‘to do’ list than you think you can manage”
Entertaining at home is easier than you may think, you just need to take the complication out of it. It goes back to what I say time and time again. Friends choose to spend time with you because of ‘you’ and not because of what you are feeding them and if that's not the case then it’s time for you to re-evaluate your friendship circle.
How To Entertain Without The Stress
simple nibbles, drinks and guilt free hosting
Inviting friends over doesn't mean that you have to spend days in the kitchen cooking up a culinary storm. It could be as simple as nibbles and drinks, take out, coffee and cake or even games night. This New Years Eve we've planned a murder mystery game's night - OK I admit it - I found this one in the the special aisle at Aldi!
My point is that you don’t have to make or bake if it's not your thing. Buying in extras such as salads, cakes or desserts from your local deli or supermarket is perfectly OK and your drinks cabinet doesn't have to resemble The American Bar at the Savoy either. You can buy ready made drinks at the supermarket or check out the likes of Microbarbox, Funkin Cocktails and Niococktails.
I talk more about this in my blog Hosting A Dinner Party where the tips can be applied to any type of hosting so head over there and take a gander for more tips and inspiration.
Facing Festive Hosting With A Smile
be kind to yourself
There are bound to be times when you find yourself in the position of having to entertain whether you like it or not. It’s unavoidable. It may be ‘your turn’ to host or it may be dictated by family politics or expectations, particularly at this time of year. But remember that you're entitled to enjoy yourself too - so be kind to yourself.
And if you do want to spend time in the kitchen, or simply can’t avoid it, click here to request your free copy of Simple and Delicious. Not a turkey in sight and the recipes work long after the festive season is over.
So here's to good food, great company and getting through the madness with your sanity intact. Wishing you a very happy festive period and a Happy New Year filled with moments that make you smile.
I'll see you on the other side of the tinsel!
