How to plan the perfect Christmas calendar

Christmas can be a beautiful and meaningful time of the year, if it is not accompanied by feelings of stress, overwhelm and madness.

Unfortunately, for many this is the case.  We are so eager to enjoy the moment, that we cram in too much.  In an intention to please everyone and make the best out of the holidays, we say yes to anything and everything that comes our way.
I hate that feeling of stress as the year ends.  It is not the best way to close the year, and move into a fresh, new year.  I’ve been there in the past, and have learnt the hard way.

You can do all you want to do, and not miss out these upcoming holidays.  The trick is to be intentional and plan your calendar in advance.

Really think about how you wish to spend your holidays.

Be practical and realistic.  If you can manage to create your ideal Christmas calendar before it is created for you, you will have a mega-successful Christmas.

I know, it’s hard to say no.

But, it is easier to say no if your calendar has been mindfully filled with the events and outings you have chosen with thought.  On the contrary, it is hard to say no if you go through the holidays with no solid plan and accept invites or attend outings as you see fit when you’re put on the spot.

First off, you need to know what matters.

Make a list of the MUST-DOs.  This is what mine looks like:

1. Christmas lunches & parties with (immediate) family
3. Parties or outings with our respective groups of bestest friends
4. 2-3 family Christmas outings
5. Nina’s Christmas concert
6. Decorating the house for Christmas

Don’t choose things you wish you could do.  Choose the most important things that really and truly matter.  Knowing what these are will ensure that you do not miss out on the truly important things.

Know what stresses you out

This is an important aspect to this exercise.  Think long and hard about what stresses you out.  It just might be that the things that matter are also stressing you out.  If this is the case, there are ways and means to make it better.

Once you know what’s stressing you out; you can either choose to ignore it, or you can choose to not do it, or you can choose to do it wisely.

For example, let’s say sending out Christmas cards stresses you out.
Option A: ignore.  Send them out anyway (not recommended!)
Option B: Don’t send them out.  But, how does this make you feel?  If you feel you have to send them out, even though it’s stressful, look for an alternative.  Send them online instead.  Get the addresses printed so you don’t have to write them all out.  Ask your 8 year old to help you affix the stickers and the labels to the envelopes for a bump in their pocket money.
Moral of the story:  If you want change, you have to take action.

Now that you know the things that matter, and what stresses you out, it’s time for the fun part.

Let’s get rocking!  Open up your calendar and start penciling in.  If you start early, you have ample time to change things up as you please.  This is precisely why I plan all my Christmas parties and events early.  I can leave time for some breathing space.

I’m sure you’ve gathered by now that I am extremely selective when it comes to Christmas activities & outings.  There is so many going on, yet we have so little time.

Here is the my list of MUST-ATTEND Christmas activities

1. Natalis Notabilis

There is nothing quite like this Christmas village in Malta!  I had the pleasure of visiting last year, and we had a grand time!  Rabat was dressed up with Christmas decor, sparkling fairy lights, and cosy stalls selling delicious or pretty things.  We had a look inside the ‘Ta’ Giezu Convent’ and laid eyes on the most beautiful cribs which formed part of an exhibition.  Nina was extremely excited to meet Santa, who was very patiently taking photos with all the kids (individually) inside a log cabin themed Santa house.  We ate, we drank, we sang,  Oh, it was brilliant.  I can’t wait to go back this year!
Dates: Friday 7th December – Thursday 13th December
Times: 11:00-23:00 on weekends and public holidays, 18:00-23:00 on other days
Entrance: Free
More info on their Facebook page & website.

2. Santa’s Magical Forest

Inspire’s magical event is back!  Previously called ‘The Enchanted Forest’, this event was one that I’ve missed.  A few years back, we had visited with Yanik (he was quite little!), and it was a fantastic experience!  I remember fairy lights, elves, feeding the rabbits, candy floss, Santa, and a night train ride.  Who knows what they’ve got in store this year?  What I’m sure of is that they’ve got a beautiful large family park and are promising THE most massive Christmas event held at LWS Adventure Park to date!  As if you needed another reason to visit, Santa’s Magical Forest is a fundraising event which will help ‘The Inspire Foundation for Inclusion’ raise money to upgrade their therapeutical horse riding facilities that greatly help in improving the quality of life of their members.
Dates: 22nd – 31st December (Closed on Christmas day)
Times: 10:00-23:30 (except Xmas Eve & NYE, closing time 15:00)
Entrance: Adults – € 5.00, kids over two – € 2.50
Buy your tickets online and avoid the queue.
More info on their Facebook event page & website

3. Christmas at Esplora

Tis the season to not just explore the magic, but the science behind it too!
Now this is one I’ve never been to, but it’s the one I am looking forward to the most!
Why?  Esplora is the top family destination in my books.  The venue is large, with a beautiful outdoor area, and kids do not simply play, but they learn too.  I love the hands-on experience coupled with the shows and all the different activities which can pretty much fill up an otherwise long afternoon.
Esplora promise a fun-packed Christmas with a science theme (of course!)Join your kids on an adventure at Esplora and uncover how Santa manages to deliver gifts to all the children in the world in just one night.  Clue: Esplora’s colony of bees can be coded to help Santa succeed!
Have you ever thought about Santa’s sleigh?  How safe is it?  Very!  A team of talented engineers have implemented  safety features to protect Santa against accidents in the dark night sky.
What else is in store?  Exploring Christmas through lights, shadows and digestion.  Yes, that’s right, digestion!  Find out what happens to all the food (that’s a lot of food ?) you’ve eaten during all the Christmas festivities.
This event kicks off on December 26th, so mark your calendars mamas!
Dates: 26th December – 6th January (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays including Christmas & New Year’s)
Times: Wednesday to Friday – 9:00 – 15:00, Saturday & Sunday – 10:00 to 18:00
Entrance: Adults – € 12.00, children – € 6.00 (kids under 4 enter free) including a planetarium show, or,  adults – € 10.00, Children – € 5.00  excluding a planetarium show.
More information can be found on the Esplora website or on the Christmas at Esplora event page

I hope my tactics for having a slower and more meaningful Christmas help you do just that.

Happy Friday mamas!

Nakita xxx