LIFESTYLE
We're imaging that you're already feeling pretty partied out, from work Christmas nights out, friends gathering, early Christmas parties with people that are traveling over Christmas, plus the numerous 'lets get a drink' it's all feeling a bit overkill by now. But with still the main week to go, the awkward time between Christmas and New Year's Eve plus NYE itself, you need some tactics that help you enjoy rather than dread the next 10 days.
Fewer Plans, But Better Ones
These last few days leading into Christmas are often the busiest. Lucky you if you've finished work already but a lot of us are trying to wrap up the last of the year, plus the family commitments, existing gatherings and the last-minute social invites layered on top of everything else. At this stage, quality becomes essential to enjoyment.
If your social diary already feels overly full, refine TS out of it. Look at what’s coming up and ask Will this feel good when I’m there? or Do I need to be there for X reason? (family, friends, career etc.) If it's not meeting the requirement, now is the time to remove yourself from the guestlist. Do it sooner rather than later though so someone doesn't include you in the final numbers.
Micro-Gatherings During Christmas Week
If you’ve still got people to host in the days before Christmas, keep it as small as possible.
Unless your guest list is set then four people is the sweet spot when your energy is already stretched. Less food to prepare, less cocktails to make, less to tidy away at the end of the night. Close friends keep the conversation flowing easily, food can be simpler, decorations limited to lots of candle light, its a night to be shared over good food, good wine and laughter.
Smaller gatherings let you lean into generosity without it becoming unmanageable. It's a time for quality in every area, food, wine, friends, conversation, energy.
Those Days Between Christmas and New Year
The days between Christmas and New Year are a wonderful and strange mix between not knowing what day it is, drinking champagne in the afternoon and changing from pyjamas to pyjamas. Hosting on these days feels a little more relaxed.
This is where the drop-in dessert night works beautifully. It remains relaxed whilst still feeling a bit special. You can totally get away with not cooking and ordering every item, a selection of cakes big and small displayed well is ideal. Serve coffee, tea and champagne, keep it low key. Just give everyone a start time and let people come and go as they please.
It’s also the perfect window for meeting friends one to one. Walks, long coffees, a few in the pub. Sitting somewhere quiet and catching up without one of you having to run off to your next thing.
Setting Boundaries When You’re Already Tired
By this point in December, boundaries aren’t aspirational, they’re necessary.
Decide how many social events in a row you can handle, which nights you want completely to yourself and how late you’re willing to stay out. You don’t need to explain your decision. A simple, warm decline is enough. An Irish exit is also your friend. The people who you matter to will understand, the ones who don’t aren’t your responsibility.