3 Practical Tips to Survive the Festive Season

The festive season is a time for pretty lights, shiny décor and joyful music – it’ll be hard not to be immersed in the merry atmosphere wherever you go!

But beneath all the joy and excitement, it’s normal to feel a little trepidation from the crazy amount of preparation you might have to do. These three tips can ho, ho, hopefully help you to stay better prepared (and sane) during this hectic season.

1) Do some budgeting

In the season of giving, expect to spend a tad more than you usually would. Keeping in mind that you’ll likely be buying gifts for your family, partners, friends and colleagues, knowing how to budget your expenses can help you keep your finances in check. Apart from your monthly household and leisure expenses, allocate spending limits to different groups of people.

With a practical budgeting plan in place, you should also remember not to splurge on grandiose items unnecessarily, which brings us to the next point…

2) Scout the best deals (but don’t go deal-crazy!)

Everybody loves a good deal, and there will be plenty of good offers springing up during the festive season. Don’t be afraid to buy the same gifts for different groups of people, especially if there are 1-for-1 deals.

With that said, don’t jump on any deal just because of the amount you’ll be saving – think about how much you will actually be spending instead and whether it’s worth the price.

Those who’ve studied sales and marketing can tell you that there are tricks stores use to convince you to make a purchase. For instance, the ‘decoy effect’ – when an expensive product is offered alongside a significantly more expensive alternative – can lead consumers to perceive that the former is more valuable. 

3) Arm yourself with EQ

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Christmas parties and gatherings mean that you’ll be interacting with a variety of people, some of whom include relatives and acquaintances who haven’t been up-to-date with your life. It’s nearly inevitable to avoid intrusive questions about your grades, income, love life… and the list goes on.

In such scenarios, emotional intelligence, or EQ, is a sure-fire characteristic that can enable you to handle pesky questions with grace and tact. You can start developing your EQ by taking an online course to learn about building your self-awareness and social skills. So, the next time someone asks you about when you’re planning to settle down, you will know exactly how to approach the question with class!