A fresh start to the festive season

The festive season is just around the corner and many people’s anxiety levels ordinarily increase during this time.  There is always so much to do from shopping for gifts to entertaining friends and family members.  In between all of this, most South Africans plan a break away from the city so there is a lot that usually preoccupies our thoughts for weeks in advance.

Dettol’s Fresh Start campaign is designed to provide useful information to alleviate some of the stressful times during those important moments and event in our lives.  Facing a lengthy to-do-list can sometimes be daunting so here are some useful tips on how to get organised and enjoy the festive season:

1. Organise your list according to priorities

• We often think we need to do everything in one or two days but planning in advance and understanding your priorities will enable you to make the right decisions for you and your family.  Whether it be buying a turkey, stocking up the fridge or buying those pearl earrings for your mother, establish a sequence of steps from one task to another and make sure that you’re doing the right things at the right time to prevent being stuck in traffic or in long queues.

2. Take charge of your home

• There is nothing worse than having to clean a dirty and untidy house.  But, you can’t have friends and family over if your home is not looking its best.  As opposed to leaving the cleaning to the last minute, delegate tasks and ensure that you do a little bit every day.  Keep a roster on your fridge to ensure that basic cleaning habits such as vacuuming and taking out the rubbish become a normal part of your family’s routine.
• Keeping clutter at bay on places such as your bedside cabinet can calm your mind and help you get a better night’s sleep.
• Focus on cleaning the key areas in your home such as the kitchen and bathroom and then schedule spring-cleaning chores to after the holiday season.
• Hand-washing fine china is never fun so use every day stoneware or even paper plates!

3. Cut the gift list

• Exchanging gifts with everyone you know from your next door neighbour to your friend from high school can put a lot of strain on your resources and energy so keep your gift-buying list to those closest to you.
• Another good tip is to call those that you care about instead of sending endless greeting cards.

4. Stay home

• Staying home often beats holiday travel any day and a “stay-cation” once every few years is not only good for the soul but your wallet as well.  Plan activities ahead. There is plenty to do such as, evening drives to see the lights in your area, family camp-outs in front of the Christmas tree and enjoy the evenings with carols and popcorn.

5. Have fun

• Remember that it’s your festive season too so try to relax and have fun, laugh and be merry.  If you do find others around you difficult then try to rise above the situation.  If things don’t go to plan try not to worry too much, instead laugh about them and make them into fun memories that you can talk about in years to come.

Use the spare time to think of the year that has been and the year that is to come, and set those goals so that you can start the new year afresh and with a bang.