A Guide to Preparing for Christmas & New Year Celebrations

rain of snow in town painting

The festival of Christmas is always a favourite for Australians, as unlike Europe and the US, this holiday coincides with the summer, which adds to the appeal. We’ve all experienced Xmas dinner of the beach and let’s hope that this year will not include the Covid-19 lockdown, as this would really put the dampers on Christmas. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the best time of the year, as we head towards 2021.

Xmas Gifts

two woman hugging each other
Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Online shopping is the way to go, and after you have created your gift list, you can methodically search online and make purchases, and by starting now, you can cover everyone in time for the big day. If money is a bit tight at the moment, there is fast Xmas cash with a Nimble Christmas loan, which you can repay over a few months. Comparing prices is easy when you shop online and many online retailers offer a ‘shop now-pay later’ promotion, which can be a blessing in disguise. It has always been a challenge to find the right gifts for people, but there are some great hi-tech gadgets available today:

  • Drones
  • Bluetooth Speakers
  • Tablets & Smartphones
  • Alexa

Experience Gifts

Rather than buying a tangible gift, you could arrange for an ‘experience day’, when your dad can drive a supercar on a race track, or mum could experience a tandem skydive, and if you search online, you can find experienced providers who have a diverse list of unique experiences. If you have a good friend who is passionate about art, why not enroll them in a special art class? If your partner has a thing about flying, you can book a surprise day at a local aerodrome, where he can take the controls of a light aircraft, or you could arrange a hot air balloon ride for your parents. If you are looking to make money online, here are a few good suggestions to consider.

Entertaining

Assuming we will have seen the end of the Covid-19 pandemic by December, you will no doubt wish to have a few friends round for a party, and with a little preparation, your outdoor area will be ready. You will, of course, have to keep abreast of the Covid-19 directives and make sure that you comply. Search online for affordable party menus, plus you will find some great party game ideas, which are always welcome. If you are planning a Xmas party at your home, a buffet menu would be advisable, and you can get a lot of ideas from the Internet, with vegan and vegetarian options, plus buffets can be prepared in advance.

rain of snow in town painting
Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

Early Booking

As you would expect, many people will be looking to book venues during the holiday period, therefore you should book as soon as you can confirm the dates, otherwise, you might be disappointed. There are only a few months before Xmas and many venues are already taking Xmas and New Year bookings, and with Google, you can source any venue or company. If cash is an issue, you could always source an online lender and take out a short-term personal loan, which would see you through this expensive time of the year. It only takes a couple of unexpected expenses to leave you short of cash

New Year Celebrations

Perhaps this year is one that we will all be glad to see the back of, and if you are planning something special for your family and close friends, there are many options in Sydney and other major Australian cities. You could hire a party boat and see the New Year in with some style in Sydney Harbour, or organise a beach party on one of the many beaches, but remember to book early to avoid disappointment.

Alcohol Consumption

This is a time to be extra vigilant regarding driving, so have someone else drive, or better still, book a cab for the trip. The police will be out in force over the Xmas and New Year, and it only takes a couple of beers to be over the limit, and if you rely on your driving licence for work, it simply isn’t worth it. Leaving the car behind is always the thing to do if you are going to have a drink, and then you can really let your hair down. If you going out with a group of friends, choose a designated driver who stays on the fruit juice, and if there are no volunteers, someone can draw the short straw. You could even have a minivan take you to and from the party, which means everyone can see the New Year in with a drink. Here is a link to a website with information about blood-alcohol level limits in Australia.

Online Solutions

Whatever you are looking to arrange an Xmas or New Year, the Internet holds all the solutions, from buying food and drink to organising an outdoor party. Online shopping is the obvious solution in this global Covid-19 pandemic, as you eliminate human contact, and many suppliers offer free delivery, and shopping from your home is very convenient. 

Exercise

While we all want to enjoy Xmas and the New Year, we must not forget our health, and if you set aside 30 minutes a day, you can have your daily workout, to burn off some of those extra calories. If you like nature, why not go out on a family cycling expedition? Or you could jog in the early mornings, before it gets too hot.

House Decorations

Not everyone likes to put up Xmas decorations, but if you do, you can get everything you need from a single supplier, and what’s more, delivery is free. If you buy some LED lighting strips, you can hang them from trees and around window frames, which really gives you a warm Disney-style ambience.

The long holiday over Xmas and New Year offers a chance to spend some quality time with family and friends, and when New Year’s Eve arrives, we will all be wishing for a better year in 2021.