Christmas mistakes can cost you big, whether that’s time, money, or favor with your family.
The season comes with stressors, and the day itself can be ruined when it doesn’t go well. From failing at shopping to feeling grumpy about having people over, here are some of the worst.
Unsafe Christmas Decorations
Accidents and injuries skyrocketed over the Christmas period. Some of the worst are complete accidents where nobody is really accountable. But you can find yourself in hot water if you don’t take precautions. A local personal injury lawyer could be your worst nightmare if you don’t tidy up lighting cables, check your electrics, or ensure decorations are secured. Further, do you really want to ruin Xmas for someone else because you didn’t take a few minutes for safety?
Shopping-Related Christmas Mistakes
Christmas shopping may not be what it used to be, with online retail becoming the number one method of shopping these days. But there are still many of us who enjoy braving the cold with a list in hand, ready to tackle the hordes of commercial-hungry shoppers. Getting this done in advance makes Xmas much easier. However, around 40% of us still leave it until the last minute. This causes stress and takes more time, and you run the risk of gifts being out of stock.
Poor Food Preparation
Food poisoning is no joke. Bacteria such as salmonella from an undercooked turkey can kill people. If you are lucky, the food may taste a bit strange if you make a mistake. But there are some serious issues that can occur. Always buy your Christmas food as fresh as possible. Some things can even be made ahead of time (such as potatoes) and frozen. If you aren’t sure about the turkey, try another meat you have experience with, or ask someone else for help.
Running Out of Money
Christmas can cost a lot of cash. And most of it goes on gifts, food, and alcohol. It’s great if you manage to get all of these, as it means you can enjoy yourself how you want it. But remember that the holiday isn’t really over after Christmas day. There’s the limbo period between Christmas and New Year, where the kids will want to do stuff. And then there’s also the New Year. If you are off work or self-employed, ensure you have the cash to cover until you return.
Not Planning Your Day in Advance
If there’s one thing that makes Christmas much easier, it’s a solid plan. Planning the day is a massive help, and you know where you stand. Most people will go on about dinner preparation, but there’s more to it than that. So, try the following for an easier Xmas day for all involved:
- Begin planning what you need to buy and do well before December.
- Never leave your Christmas and gift shopping until the last minute.
- Buy an Xmas tree far in advance of the day you need to put it up.
- Take a frozen turkey out two days before Christmas day.
- Prepare some of the food and wrap up the last of the gifts on Christmas Eve.
- Above all, start saving what you think you will need to avoid money stress.
The Christmas list can begin in January for some. It is even possible to get deals for the next year during this time. But try not to leave anything past the start of December. This excludes the turkey, of course, which should be cooked fresh on the day after being defrosted for 48 hours.
Working Over the Holidays
If there is one time for family, it’s Christmas. The kids, if you have them, your parents, and your partner will want you there for the holidays. Working hard is admirable, but it shouldn’t take over your life. Burnout, stress, and missed special occasions cause family rifts. If it is at all possible, try to at least get Christmas Day off work and a few days during the week. This gives you the chance to enjoy the festive period as you should, surrounded by the people who love you.
Failing to Plan Your Travel
Every Christmas, there is travel chaos across countries like the UK and the USA. And this year could be worse for Brits with planned rail strikes again! Travel can be stressful at the best of times, so plan ahead if you need to get somewhere. As mentioned, there may be strikes in the UK. So check the dates and make alternative arrangements. And, of course, don’t forget to check the weather forecasts. They may not be 100% accurate, but you can plan around it.
Friends and Family Christmas Mistakes
Most of us have people we would rather not have around at Christmas. This is often because some people just annoy us, and that’s human. But at least we have people who want to be around us that we can spend the day with. Not everyone has this opportunity, and around 8% of people in the US spend Christmas alone. So the big mistake you can make here is not appreciating the people we have. If Xmas is for one thing, it’s being around others we love.
Getting Thoughtless Gifts
If you are married or in a long-term relationship, it’s possible you have made this mistake before, and you make sure you never make it again. Gifts can be expensive or meager. It doesn’t really matter. What people like is when you show you have put some thought into a gift, as it’s more about what a gift means. Random items from store shelves aren’t really going to hit home. So go through your list and really think about what your wife, husband, or partner would love to get.
Summary
Not making your decorations secure and safe is one of the biggest Christmas mistakes you can make because you can hurt someone or even be sued. Of course, it also helps to make a plan for what you need over the festive period. And thoughtless gifts make people feel undervalued.