Advent Calendar – 1 December

December can be magical, but also chaotic full of to-do lists—especially if you’re a busy, working mum like me. But with the right tricks (and a bit of festive motivation), we can make it through and truly enjoy the season. To help, here’s my December Survival Kit—packed with practical tips, cosy vibes, and a sprinkle of inspiration!

Stress-Free Grocery Shopping

Mantra: “If you want something to change, you have to change something.”

Shop Smart, Skip Stress: Avoid the hustle of crowded shopping aisles treating yourself to an online order to delivery or collection. Reserve your Christmas week slot early— those things disappear faster than mince pies in a communal office kitchen! Pro tip: add a small item to your basket right now to secure your slot. And while you’re at it, treat yourself by adding a festive indulgence 😊

Stay Organised Together: Keep your household shopping stress-free with a shared app like Bring! (No paid advert here, it’s just the one we use!) You and your household can add items in real-time, ensuring that nothing is missed when things run out. It’s a lifesaver during busy working weeks and the festive frenzy!

Protect the Christmas Treats: Avoid pre-Christmas munching by setting up a “Christmas Only” basket in the fridge or cupboard. Let everyone know these food items are off-limits until the big day—it’s a simple way to keep the festive magic (and mince pies) safe!

Embrace the Cosy Spirit: Self-Care in December

Mantra: “You can do anything, but not everything.”

Create Early-December Traditions: Make the most of the cosy season with family rituals that relax you and get the Christmas spirit going. For example, look for wintery or Christmassy things to do at weekends. If your family honours St. Nikolaus Day (December 6th), gift everyone a Christmas-themed book to set the holiday mood and savour the magic (and peace-and-quiet!) together.

DIY Advent Calendar: Go beyond the usual chocolate countdown by crafting a personalised Advent calendar. Fill it with little ideas for cosy moments to share as a family, couple, or on your own. Include ideas like:
• Lighting a scented candle
• Enjoying a warm festive drink
• Curling up with a good (Christmas?) book
• Watching a holiday film with popcorn
• Reminiscing about your first Christmas together
• Writing down what you’re most grateful for this season
Your DIY advent calendar isn’t just a countdown; it’s your daily reminder to embrace the magic of the season.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate: Sharing the workload isn’t just practical—it’s self-care. Turn your kids into little elves—they can wrap presents (don’t worry, those odd bits of tape just add charm), put stamps on envelopes for cards, or take charge of hanging decorations. Delegating these things lightens your load and you can ‘sell’ it as creating cherished memories 😊 Plus, you might even get five minutes to yourself for a cuppa! For general household chores, agree on an hour a couple of times during the week where everyone pitches in. This clears the weekend for more fun activities, catching up with friends, and enjoying the lead-up to Christmas.

Giving Something Special: The Gift of Time

Mantra: “No one does it like you do—that’s your superpower.”

Homemade Gifts: They aren’t just budget-friendly—they show you’ve spent time and thought on someone, even if work or family commitments keep you apart. I love making homemade presents—like biscuits, crocheted coasters, jam, or candles. This year, my daughter wants to “help,” so I’m excited (and a little nervous) to see how our creations turn out! – That said, I’m sure the fact that she’s so little adds a level of “cuteness” that will make the presents even more special!

Streamline it: Pick an approach to choosing presents and stick to it, to save yourself time and mental energy. For example, for children or close family, implement a “Four Gift Rule”: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. Or choose a ‘category’ of present and gift everyone a suitable variant, e.g. board games, books, stationery, magazine subscriptions, charitable donations.

Wrapping Tip: Just don’t do it to yourself; No awkward shaped presents! Avoid wrapping nightmares by sticking to square-shaped or rectangular presents, or buying gift boxes to put the funny-shaped ones in. You know all of those boxes you’ve been hoarding because they’re, like, really good boxes? This is the time to use them! Go for it!

4. Prepare for “Emergency” Moments

Mantra: “Prepared is powerful.”

Key supplies: Stock up on essentials like milk, water and bread, as well as paracetamol, batteries, extra wrapping paper, and tape to avoid last-minute panic. Because let’s face it, if we don’t plan ahead, the Christmas elves—aka us—might forget the batteries for the toy of the year!

Spare presents: Keep a stash of ready-to-go gifts (bottles of wine, candles, biscuits) and cards for unexpected visitors or forgotten exchanges.

Boredom Busters: Keep a festive emergency kit at the ready—think sparkly craft kits, board games, or treasure hunts will keep little ones entertained. Make pre-packed ‘boredom buster’ boxes with gingerbread decorating supplies or cosy socks for last-minute pyjama film nights.

Your December Mantras Recap

“If you want something to change, you have to change something.”
“You can do anything, but not everything.”
“No one does it like you do—that’s your superpower.”
“Prepared is powerful.”

Feel free to share what’s in your December survival kit in the comments—I’d love to hear your tips! Here’s to a magical (and manageable) December! 🎄

That’s Day 1 of the Advent calendar sorted! Need a little extra joy, laughs, and inspiration to get through the rest of the month? Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my favourite Instagram accounts for parents—think relatable memes, clever hacks, and festive ideas you’ll actually use. It’s the perfect scroll for when you’re hiding in the kitchen with a sneaky slice of chocolate log!