Upcoming Self Discovery Sessions, and Ten Tips for a Happier Christmas. I sit at my table, littered with piles of wrapped and unwrapped presents, to do lists of bitty things, and my last jewellery orders stacked and ready to post, my final mail run of the year imminent.
Fabulous! Just what I needed. Feeling very un-festive (is that a word?) this year. But reading this has made me stop, look and listen to ME and make Christmas about Christmas. Thank you!
A while back I let go of the need to make my own roast potatoes, roast parsnips or Yorkshire puddings. Aunt Bessie (other brands available of course) make perfectly lovely ones that require nothing more than a hot oven, a baking tray and a pair of scissors to open the various bags. I felt like this was a sign of failure at first, my Mam always (and still) makes her own, but the reduced levels of stress are amazing! There’s no peeling to be done, or par-boiling. No need to worry about them sprouting in the cupboard because you bought them well ahead to be sure of having some. It is all upside. I encourage everyone to embrace the frozen veg aisle and free yourself from the tyranny of blunt peelers and too many pans on the hob!
I absolutely love this Jen! I didn’t even know they existed but it’s such a good idea. The veg are also the least interesting part of the meal so it’s weird we spend so much time and energy on peeling etc when there is so much else to do!
I bought pastry and mincemeat (not homemade you’ll note) for mince pies, but I forgot my broken oven. So I bought some instead, still very tasty! Maybe the kids can make them on Christmas Eve, but if not I can freeze them for something else after Christmas. Thank goodness for freezers eh? 🎄❤️
Such a brilliant post Kate, thank you for all of these tips, I will be keeping these in my back pocket for the next few days. It's our 6th Christmas without my Dad, and this is the first time my grief has felt easier this time of year. My mum comes to stay tonight for 2 nights and I find anyone staying in my house intense, and my mum wants to talk to me a lot, when I just want to get on with what I need to do and for her to be with the kids. When that doesn't happen I get stressed really quickly. I'm going to use some of your tips and I'll be popping into the garden for a few deep breaths with my cuppa in amongst it all! And a walk, I'm going for a walk on Xmas day even if no-one wants to join me!! Have a lovely Christmas Kate 🎄 x
Thanks Jenna and I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I think it’s always good to have boundaries and escape plans when navigating Christmas after loss, and it’s okay to state your wishes and needs. Enjoy your walk and your day! 🎄✨
This is it! THE Christmas post I needed! Absolutely wonderful, honest, joyful, funny, direct and FULL of FANTASTIC wisdom and insight! Thank you Kate! 🙏🥰👍 Wishing you fabulous, perfection FREE “Christmess”! 🎄✨☃️ Much love, Eva xx
Have a happy messy Christmas! 🎄 My family is coming over from Germany this year and that’s all we need 🥰 (they’re only bringing cabin bags anyway, so no room for presents 😄)
Lovely Claudia, enjoy! We have secret Santa now where the adults buy one single gift for one person. It keeps things simple and means we can focus on the kids gifts only. Have a lovely Christmas! 🎄
This is absolutely wonderful! It reinforces and echoes exactly the things that my awesome therapist says to me too! So sensible, helpful, down to earth, actionable! Thank you so much and I am going right now to subscribe! Happiest of holidays to you!!!
How do you manage at Christmas? Do you have any tips to share? What resonates? Also, let me know any requests for topics next year. ☺️
Fabulous! Just what I needed. Feeling very un-festive (is that a word?) this year. But reading this has made me stop, look and listen to ME and make Christmas about Christmas. Thank you!
Have a lovely Christmas xx with love ❤️
Yes Fiona! Make it whatever you want, no pressure! Have a lovely Christmas too, whatever it looks like xx ❤️
A while back I let go of the need to make my own roast potatoes, roast parsnips or Yorkshire puddings. Aunt Bessie (other brands available of course) make perfectly lovely ones that require nothing more than a hot oven, a baking tray and a pair of scissors to open the various bags. I felt like this was a sign of failure at first, my Mam always (and still) makes her own, but the reduced levels of stress are amazing! There’s no peeling to be done, or par-boiling. No need to worry about them sprouting in the cupboard because you bought them well ahead to be sure of having some. It is all upside. I encourage everyone to embrace the frozen veg aisle and free yourself from the tyranny of blunt peelers and too many pans on the hob!
I absolutely love this Jen! I didn’t even know they existed but it’s such a good idea. The veg are also the least interesting part of the meal so it’s weird we spend so much time and energy on peeling etc when there is so much else to do!
I bought pastry and mincemeat (not homemade you’ll note) for mince pies, but I forgot my broken oven. So I bought some instead, still very tasty! Maybe the kids can make them on Christmas Eve, but if not I can freeze them for something else after Christmas. Thank goodness for freezers eh? 🎄❤️
Such a brilliant post Kate, thank you for all of these tips, I will be keeping these in my back pocket for the next few days. It's our 6th Christmas without my Dad, and this is the first time my grief has felt easier this time of year. My mum comes to stay tonight for 2 nights and I find anyone staying in my house intense, and my mum wants to talk to me a lot, when I just want to get on with what I need to do and for her to be with the kids. When that doesn't happen I get stressed really quickly. I'm going to use some of your tips and I'll be popping into the garden for a few deep breaths with my cuppa in amongst it all! And a walk, I'm going for a walk on Xmas day even if no-one wants to join me!! Have a lovely Christmas Kate 🎄 x
Thanks Jenna and I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I think it’s always good to have boundaries and escape plans when navigating Christmas after loss, and it’s okay to state your wishes and needs. Enjoy your walk and your day! 🎄✨
This is it! THE Christmas post I needed! Absolutely wonderful, honest, joyful, funny, direct and FULL of FANTASTIC wisdom and insight! Thank you Kate! 🙏🥰👍 Wishing you fabulous, perfection FREE “Christmess”! 🎄✨☃️ Much love, Eva xx
Thanks so much Eva! Have a good break and a very happy Christmess! 🎄✨🧑🎄
Have a happy messy Christmas! 🎄 My family is coming over from Germany this year and that’s all we need 🥰 (they’re only bringing cabin bags anyway, so no room for presents 😄)
Lovely Claudia, enjoy! We have secret Santa now where the adults buy one single gift for one person. It keeps things simple and means we can focus on the kids gifts only. Have a lovely Christmas! 🎄
Epic advice and a reassuring read - thank you - perfectly imperfect is my aim for being me! Have a lovely Christmas I really appreciate your letters.
Thanks Erica, I appreciate you being here! Perfectly imperfect is just right, have a lovely Christmas! 🎄
Thank you for another great post! Wishing you a very happy Christmas! 🎄
Thank you so much Amy! Happy Christmas to you too. Glad to have you here.🎄✨
This is absolutely wonderful! It reinforces and echoes exactly the things that my awesome therapist says to me too! So sensible, helpful, down to earth, actionable! Thank you so much and I am going right now to subscribe! Happiest of holidays to you!!!
Thanks so much Lin, you are welcome here! It means a lot to read your words. Happy holidays to you too! 🕊️🎄✨