Dear Moms, Dads, Relatives, Educators and Business Owners!

Only 11 sleeps until Christmas!

Here are 11 tips on surviving the silly season:

• Don't go christmas shopping at the malls in peak shopping hours at the weekend. Shop online or make use of extended shopping hours. Organise a baby sitter and shop in the evening.
• If you do go Christmas shopping in peak hours, expect lots of people, expect to wait in queues and expect to see lots of grumpy people who for some strange reason are shopping in peak shopping hours and were not expecting the above mentioned.
• Contrary to what my husband believes, leaving your Christmas shopping to the 24th is going to be stressful when you can't find what you need because the shops are sold out. Yes, shops do run out of christmas wrapping paper and tags.
• Try not, under any circumstances, to take small children Christmas shopping with you. You won't get more than 2 items on your shopping list and you will return home stressed and regretting your decision. (Although the kids would have had a lot of fun, which is fine if that was your goal in the first place.)
• Try very hard not to overspend on your credit card. You don't want to spend the next 6 months paying for your christmas shopping. Take a shopping list with you and don't deviate from it. The shop owners are very clever. They make their Christmas displays look so good, it is easy to get distracted and buy a lot of items you really don't need. Remember, your time with your children means more to them than material possessions. (Um, well to some children anyway.)
• Don't let the in laws, or whomever it is who likes to ruffle your tail feathers, upset you this Christmas. You don't want to spend Christmas fighting with the relatives. Just agree, or agree to disagree or I find the best option is to avoid that person altogether. If all else fails retreat to the corner with your favourite Christmas tipple or hang out with the kids.
• My husband's tips - It is ok to order a pre-cooked and glazed ham from the butcher. Don't be scared to delegate especially when it comes to washing dishes. (That tip may backfire on him this year - hee hee). Put all your family friendly music and Christmas songs (apparently the Guns and Roses version of White Christmas is not) onto your computer and play them from there. That way there is no need to change cd's and the songs you want are easy to find.
• If you are going to leave milk (or whisky) and cookies out for Santa, make sure you get rid of the evidence before the morning. Don't leave them lying around in the kitchen or the fridge. The kids will get upset if Santa has not had his treat. (That one is for my husband).
• Don't forget to sprinkle reindeer food outside on Christmas eve. They deserve a treat too. (Oats and glitter or carrots work nicely).
• Visit our Christmas Feature for fun Christmas craft ideas, stories, events, fun and games. Read Melanie's Travelling with children tips.
• Spend less time stressing about making sure Christmas day is picture perfect (you don't have to be Martha Stewarte) and spend more time enjoying the festive season and having fun. Nobody is going to remember what the table looked like but they will remember if they had a fun day or not!

We wish you a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas.

Take care
Cara