Many of us look forward to Christmas, and sometimes we are lucky enough to spend time with family and friends. For some it can be a magical time… until the mother-in-law has too many white wine spritzers, the other half falls asleep leaving the washing up to you, the children are arguing over a toy and one of the children is on their third meltdown of the day!!
Does this sound familiar?
If you’ve ever found yourself hiding in the kitchen pretending to “check the roast potatoes”, while actually taking deep breaths and questioning your life choices, this one’s for you.
All the time you put into planning and preparing the perfect family Christmas can become a living nightmare!!! Be kind to yourself, as much as we look forward to Christmas, navigating the holiday chaos can be tricky!
The wonderful team at Tiny Treasures Market is here to remind you that survival is possible—and maybe even enjoyable! Here are our top tips for a peaceful, or at least hilarious, family friendly Christmas.
Pre-planning
Before the big day, gather your household and agree on some rules:
No discussions involving politics; No commenting on someone’s parenting choices; No discussing whose child walked/talked/sat up the earliest; Everyone gets one “safe word” to exit awkward moments – “I think I left the freezer open” works beautifully.
Have pre-planned responses ready to avoid awkward moments – “You look tired.”
“Thank you, it’s my festive glow.”
“Are you sure the turkey’s cooked?”
“Yes, the food thermometer and I have been on a journey.”
“When are you having more children?”
“After you.”
Pre-set Tasks
Delegate – You do not have to say ‘yes’ to everything. Hosting does not mean you have to do it all. Ask family and friends to ‘bring a dish’ and have a washing-up and food prep rota, not forgetting to include any children.
Nobody likes being told what to do, so make it fun – you could even make badges e.g. ‘The Beverage Boss’ for the person in charge of drink refills. “You’re responsible for keeping everyone happy and hydrated!”
The Music Manager. “Your job is to set the perfect festive vibe all day long.”
Ask for Volunteers: Say something like, “Christmas Day is so much fun, but a lot of work! To make sure everyone, including me, gets to relax, let’s divide up the responsibilities. What role sounds the most fun to you?”
Children love feeling important and having a defined role. Give them tasks that are fun, safe, and allow for some creative freedom.
The Present Police – Collect all discarded wrapping paper and put it in a large bag when presents are finished.
The Table Captain – Place one cracker at every seat before we sit down for dinner.
Pre-planned Moments of Peace
During the mayhem you may need to take 5 minutes, don’t feel guilty, this is fine. Suggest a walk, even if it’s just around the block. You can either use this time to get space alone for example., “I need to walk the dog,” or “I’m just stretching my legs” or use it as a low-stress escape with a small group like a sibling or friend to get away from the main action.
The Rubbish/Recycling Blitz: When the chaos of present-opening or dinner clean-up peaks, volunteer to take out all the rubbish and recycling. This often involves a few trips outside to the bins, giving you short, necessary breaks.
The “Urgent” Call: Step outside for a pre-scheduled “important call” with a friend or distant relative. You can genuinely make the call, or just use the time to stand outside, breathe the cold air, and reset.
The Secret Weapon: Distraction!
Once children or adults get bored the arguments might start so organise distractions that will keep hands and minds busy. The best games for family and friends’ survival are co-operative or require very little active skill, ensuring no one gets too competitive You may want to consider some of the following ideas.
Have a dedicated craft station for the children! Simple colouring books, pipe cleaners, or play dough can buy you hours of peace.
Pull out a board game, not Monopoly, maybe something quick and silly, such as ‘who am I’ with post it notes, charades, rock, paper, scissors, or lip-reading challenges.
A quiz involving questions about Christmas films, music, and food so everyone will be able to answer, including any children.
Embrace Imperfection
The Pinterest Christmas may give you some wonderful ideas, but it is staged and does not represent real life. The perfect Christmas isn’t the one that looks like a magazine cover or a Netflix film; it’s the one where you are laughing and enjoying spending time with the people around you. So, what if the turkey is slightly dry? So, what if your cousin is wearing an outfit that doesn’t flatter and has made you laugh?
Ask a rhetorical question: “Ten years from now, what will you remember?” Nobody will remember the perfectly folded napkin or matching crackers; they’ll remember Uncle Mark’s terrible joke or the moment everyone sang along to a classic carol.
Final Thought: Your Christmas, Your Way
Remember, every family—every Tiny Treasures Market shopper—has their own way of celebrating, and there is absolutely no right or wrong way to do Christmas. If you’ve managed to feed everyone, share a laugh, and sneak in a moment of peace for yourself, you’ve done it perfectly!
And finally, if this Christmas feels overwhelming, please know that it is okay to reach out. Organizations, helplines, and local community groups are there to offer support for everything from mental well-being to practical help with food and gifts. Caring for yourself is the most important Christmas tradition.
From all of us, we wish you a chaotic, happy, and genuinely heartfelt Christmas – You’ve got this!!
