Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s easily the most stressful too. From shopping lists as long as your arm to a jam-packed diary, Christmas can be as much a time for mad panic as it is for cheer. So, in a bid to make your holiday season as enjoyable as possible I have created an edit all about staying zen while the bells ring!
Of course, I don’t promise that there won’t be at least one hiccup on Christmas Day, because is it really Christmas if at least one family member doesn’t cry or one thing in the dinner isn’t burnt? And well, what fun would that be anyway…
1. Stay Organised
This is easily the most important tip for ensuring you don’t lose your marbles, or better yet your baubles this Christmas. The key to festive organisation is lists – I’d be lost without my iPhone notes! Write a list of everyone you need to buy for, what you’re getting them (search our Christmas shop for some inspo) and then tick it off when it’s all done – there’s nothing more satisfying!
Another way to breeze through Christmas is to avoid last minute shopping dashes. There’s no bigger panic than a Christmas Eve shopping trip, so don’t put yourself through it! You can shop our virtual shelves from the comfort of your own home, free from the hustle and bustle up until the 21st of December for 2-day delivery and the 22nd of December for 1-day delivery (see all delivery details here).
2. Take Time Out
It can be easy to get swept up in the excitement of Christmas. And why wouldn’t you want to? It only happens once a year after all! But, to avoid burning the candles at both ends I’d recommend scheduling in a little me-time at the end of every day, or whenever possible. This needn’t be a full half hour pamper session (that’s coming up below). Instead, just take a moment or two, before bed to unwind the mind.
One of my favourite ways to de-stress after a busy or challenging day is to have a relaxing soak in the bath. In my opinion, no bathing experience is complete without the Tisserand De-Stress Bath Oil. Infused with the calming aroma of lavender essential oil, uplifting mandarin and soothing marjoram oil, this super luxe bath addition not only gives your wellbeing a boost, but it also keeps your skin beautifully soft and smooth.
If you’re looking for a quicker way to empty your mind of all those Christmas songs then look no further than the L’Occitane Relaxing Pillow Mist. The perfect bedside ally, in one spritz this 100% natural aromatherapeutic mist leaves a burst of insomnia-busting lavender, mandarin, sweet orange, bergamot and geranium.
3. Pamper Yourself
If you’re like me, this is the time of the year that you come out of hibernation and pencil-in your entire month with dinner dates, festive trips and well overdue catch-ups. And a non-stop month of outings means that you need to look and feel your best, at all times. So that can mean only thing: a pamper session!
The winter weather can be hard on your skin, so the first way I recommend to keep yourself looking tip-top is to treat your skin to a boost of hydration. One of my favourite ways to keep my skin quenched during the colder months is with my secret weapon, the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil. This face, body and hair oil is crafted from 30% plant oils, which work together to soothe and nourish you all over – it also works like a dream all over the legs to give you that supermodel sheen!
No pamper session is complete without a face mask either, and luckily Escentual has them aplenty. Read this face mask guide to find the right one for you!
4. Set the Scene
No matter how crazy your day has been, seeing Christmas decorations or a cosy setting will instantly perk up your mood. So with that in mind, it’s crucial that you make your home environment a haven that screams festive relaxation. My favourite way to create a snug abode is by lighting candles and filling my home with a beautiful aroma.
The candle that I am currently burning is the Annick Goutal Une Fôret d’Or – Noël Scented Candle. Believe me when I say that this is the crème de la crème of Christmas candles, both in looks and fragrance. A harmony of fresh, spicy and fruity facets, this luxurious candle has the most opulent indigo packaging that looks amazing nestled amongst your Christmas decorations.
5. Choose Gift Wrap at Checkout
There are two types of people: people that make wrapping presents a ceremony, surrounding themselves with ribbons and bows, and then there are people like me that leave it last minute and wonder if foil is an acceptable option (it’s not). Luckily for the latter, we have just the thing! On a large selection of our products we offer free gift wrap – yes, you read that correctly it’s completely free. All you need to do is add the item to your basket, then choose gift wrap at checkout. You can even add a gift message if you fancy too! You can thank us later…
