Christmas activities
Christmas: 'Tis the season to be jolly and money savvy
Ask yourself 3 wise Christmas questions.
1. Where do you find joy at Christmas?
It might help to think back to your childhood - what made Christmas special? It will be different for everyone. Perhaps you remember the time spent with family, or the special food, decorations and music.
2. Do you have to ... ?
Buy your niece/nephew/cousin an expensive gift they won't even know they've received? Attend all the Christmas functions you're invited to? Much of our Christmas activity is habit based - we do it because we feel like we "should".
3. Can it wait?
Is it an emergency? Can you do some of your yearly catchups after Christmas? Remember that holidays and New Years are just around the corner.
Christmas is about giving, that doesn't mean spending.
Give purposefully
- What will bring those you love joy this Christmas
- How can you express your gratitude to them in a unique, meaningful way?
Give experience
Experiences make great gifts and are more memorable than things.
Give your time (presence over presents)
This could be time spent preparing your house with home-made decorations, making that special Christmas dessert, or playing backyard cricket with your children.
Give back
Many people take the opportunity to volunteer, or give to those who would otherwise miss out.
Give yourself a break
- Think about what might bring you rest from all the stress the season can bring.
- Now plan for it!
Give only from what you’ve got
- Or put another way: don’t borrow for Christmas.
- Give within your existing resources - time, money and emotions.
Christmas planning activity part 1
Rules for a 5 star Christmas
Write down 5 rules for making Christmas great this year. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- I will pay cash for all mu purchases this year
- I will buy the food we need and not too may leftovers
- I will remember the joy at all times
Christmas planning activity part 2
A Christmas tree of balance
- Messages - I'll send a message to:
- Events - I'll go to these events:
- Gifts - I'll buy one gift for:
- Rest!
Summer holidays: Simple ways to enjoy the sunshine.
Summer holidays are a special time in Australia. The Christmas rush gives way to long, lazy days with beach trips, barbecues, sunshine and sport. But when the days are long and hot, many people find themselves under a lot of pressure. Our hope is that you can discover your happy place these holidays.
F.O.S.H. (Fear of summer holidays)
It is common to feel a level of anxiety during this supposedly silly season. Some reasons people can feel overwhelmed include additional childcare requirements, extra holiday costs, extensive to do lists and feeling the need to entertain "bored" kids.
Making the most of your holidays
We hear you - summer holidays can be tiresome. But as schedules change and the household mood shifts, this is actually a perfect time to reassess and reflect on what’s most important in life. Your usual routine might feel out of whack, but we want to encourage you to change the lense of your outlook to embrace new adventures and connect more deeply with the people in your life. For those with young children, remember you only have 18 summers with your child and this is one of them!
Activity: What are some of the pressures you feel during the summer holidays?
Our 5 tips for a joy-filled holiday
Our holiday secret: You can take the (good) holiday feeling into the rest of the year!
- Keep it simple.
It can be tempting to pack out your holidays, but make sure you leave open space to relax and connect with loved ones, neighbours, or friends. Work out what’s essential these holidays and talk about what you decide to let go. Be intentional about where your money is being spent. - Screen time limitations.
Set reasonable expectations about technology use. Too much screen time means the holidays won’t be as recharging and health promoting as they could be. The family will follow your lead, so make sure you are setting the example. Some ‘house rules’ could be:
- 60 minute limit in the morning
- No screens between 9am - 4pm
- Socialise.
Plan outings to connect with friends, extended relatives or others - suggest to meet up for a barbecue, go to the park or plan house visits. - It's okay for yourself (and your kids) to 'just be'.
We don’t need to always be entertained. Allow time and space for rest (for everyone!), and create opportunities for creativity, exploration and problem solving. - Start planning a "staycation".
A staycation means cutting down on travel expenses. It's an intentional way to see your hometown through the eyes of a tourist!
- Money matters
We’ve put together a ‘mini-budget’ to help you plan and set aside amounts for specific costs like a holiday or staycation. - Think like a tourist
What would you tell friends or family visiting your area to see or do? Ask around for recommendations and search local papers or online for free events coming up. - Brainstorm
Make sure activities are affordable and achievable. Some indoor examples include craft activities, board games, baking, pyjama days. Some outdoor examples - picnics, bushwalks, bike rides, scavenger hunt. - Plan time
Write a list of everything – more than you can do – then plot your staycation!
- Money matters