Top tips for surviving Christmas

Experts share their advice

What with difficult relatives, an endless stream of drunken dinners and huge expectations all round, Christmas can send stress levels soaring. To go with our magazine cover story on how to avoid a cr**py Christmas - and to commemorate the true life disaster stories you sent us from Christmases past - we've asked a series of experts on their tips for surviving the festive season. Read on for pearls of wisdom on everything from how to relax to reviving your outfits and getting home safely...

Picture credit: Rex Features

1. Keep calm

"No-one upsets me unless I allow it" is a phrase often attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt. Whatever you are feeling at any time is an emotion that you have chosen at an unconscious level. Nobody else has made you feel it – that is impossible. If you find yourself feeling angry with someone, then you have reacted. Instead, choose to respond. This means you have taken a moment to decide how you want to feel and in so doing, you have remained in control of your emotions. For example, if your mother-in-law says something contentious, respond with, "How interesting" and then change the subject.

- Di McLanachan, best-selling author of NLP for Personal Excellence

2. Relax

The magic of Christmas means that normal rules cease to apply, so no one is going to notice if lunch is actually half an hour later than suggested on your finely tuned schedule. Use the schedule to light the fire and go be with your family; the potatoes will brown just fine without you anxiously opening the oven door every five minutes. Leave the jug of egg nog next to granny and remember that a smile is more likely to enlist help than a hysterical rant.

- Margot Bloom of bloomingfabulousmedia.com

3. Remember the big picture

Invent rituals for the simple process of coming together and don't get too stressed, whether it's feverish cooking, compulsive present buying or obsessive tinsel arranging. Remember what it’s all about – coming together. You may not ever have all these people in the same room again so stop, make eye contact, laugh and find something to enjoy about each and every one of them!

- Eleanor O'Rourke, lifestyle coach and author of 40 Days, 40 Nights

4. Get rid of excess tension

Christmas Day itself can heighten any underlying tensions with families and relationships leading to a surge of emotions. However it’s important to remember that beneath all the stress, expense and family rows, the spirit of the season still remains. If you take just a few moments to yourself and try to let go of any tension you’re feeling - you’ll enjoy the festive break even more.

- Dr. Mark Cropley, Health Psychologist at the University of Surrey in conjunction with Tiger Balm White, a remedy to help treat tension headaches

5. Breathe new life into old outfits

Need to revive an old outfit? Shape and paint your nails with a glossy on trend colour such as Essie Size Matters (ruby red) or Bangle Jangle (lavender amethyst) - this immediately glamorises your look, making whatever you're wearing look more expensive. If you’re exposing toes in peep toes or strappies be sure to give yourself a pedicure to keep the groomed look.

- Leading skin and health expert Tina Richards: tinarichards.com

6. Create cheap cocktails

Champagne is everyone’s top choice tipple for parties but it can be a little on the expensive side but there are some great sparkling wines out there which are just as good. To impress your guests on half the budget - add a little elderflower cordial and a hibiscus flower to cava, to create the perfect festive fizzy cocktail. Not only does this add a light sweet, floral taste to the drink it makes the cava go that little bit further!

- Daniel Gill, MD of catering and events company Dine

7. Plan your way home

Planning is key for getting home after a Christmas party, so make sure you know where your venue is or download an app such as GetTaxi which uses GPS to locate you. The app will let you know when you need to go outside and show you how far away your cab is from you. It’ll also send you a photo of your driver, their name and licence plate, so you know your driver is who they say they are.

- GetTaxi’s black taxi drivers

8. Eat before you drink

Have a wholegrain noodle or pasta based meal before going out to prevent you snacking on unhealthy canapés and this keeps you fuller for longer. This will also act as a good absorbent for excess alcohol. I like spelt spaghetti by Biona available from all good independent healthfood shops or online.

- Leading skin and health expert Tina Richards: tinarichards.com

Tags: Christmas, tips