olidays can creep up like an unexpected snowstorm: one minute, a few whimsical flakes are delicately falling – the next minute, you’re dragging the snowplough out just so you can open your front door. However, the festive season doesn’t have to come as a surprise. A few smart moves now can turn December (and even its warm-up act – November) from chaos to cruise control. Here’s your step-by-step guide to seasonal stress-busting. Notebooks at the ready.
- Plan, Plan, Plan – And Delegate
Certain things need to happen in order for the holiday season to go smoothly: there must be a gift for everyone at your Christmas table, and enough food for everyone to get two helpings, plus leftovers. You also need flight tickets (or a tank full of gas) so you can get to your holiday destination stress-free. We’re not trying to cause angst by mentioning Home Alone, but…. there needs to be tickets for everyone! To make sure nothing and nobody gets forgotten, make a festive weekend plan – and start delegating now.
Talk to your partner and grown-up kid about who’s doing what this year. If you’re ordering the turkey, maybe they’ll research travel options? If you’re bulk buying gifts, can they provide a list of everyone you need to buy for?
Teamwork at this time of year is extra important. A 2024 study* found that about 1/3 of couples reported arguing more often during the Christmas season than during other times, and unequal division of labour was one of the reasons cited. So keep things open, equal and organised, and split the work down the middle – it’ll sow the seeds for happy holidays.
Gift Shopping
Forget the last-minute scramble. Start now with a simple spreadsheet or phone note and list recipients, budgets, and gift ideas. Big-ticket items — such as gaming consoles, smart watches, or luxury grooming kits — can sell out by Black Friday, which this year falls on November 28th. So don’t wait for it. Last year, Gravité, Particle’s scene-stealing fragrance for men, ran out of stock due to very high demand, leaving last-minute shoppers disappointed. Waiting can also cause delivery chaos. And who wants to spend the week before Christmas lining up at a delivery depo to collect items you desperately need? Once you’ve got your gifts, batch wrap them while watching football or Netflix – meaning no all-nighters on Christmas Eve.
Holiday Meals and Beverages
Order your turkey, roast, or prime rib ASAP — popular butchers and delivery services get swamped. Check your cupboards and start re-stocking non-perishables like cranberry sauce, gravy mix, or that fancy mustard you love. These basics will vanish from shelves by mid-December. But you? You’ll be kicking back with a whiskey by the fire. Oh, and on that point, stock the bar early, too. Spirits and mixers often go on offer in late November. Buy your whiskey or craft gin before prices jump.
Travel & Hosting
Those golden days between Christmas and New Year are perfect if you’re away – less perfect if you’re stuck in the house watching the chores pile up. Get on it now and book travel, hotels, or cabins in your favourite lakeside resort before prices surge. Hosting a party? Reserve rental tables, chairs, or cleaning services this month — by December, the good options are gone. Smart men plan – and spring into action, now.
2. Tune Up Your Lifestyle for Party Season
Fitness & Energy
A four- to six-week head start on fitness can pay dividends. There’s no need for a punishing regime: two strength sessions and one cardio session per week will boost your stamina. Hydrate properly and start tightening your sleep routine now — trying to fix bad habits mid-December is a losing battle.
Wardrobe Audit
Open your wardrobe this weekend. Do your suits fit? Are your dress shirts crisp, or tired? Book tailoring or dry-cleaning now so you’re not battling every other man in town for the last alterations slot on December 22nd. Check shoes for scuffs and polish them or replace them if necessary. A new pair of cuff links or a new watch can pep up a classic look, so if your current wardrobe doesn’t inspire you, add one key piece to your ensemble and reap the benefits.
Grooming Prep
Pre-Christmas barbershop appointments vanish fast. Book your December tidy-up now, and consider adding a beard trim or facial. Cold weather can dry out skin, so upgrade your moisturiser or start a simple routine. Particle’s Essential Bundle, featuring Face Cream, Face Wash, and Face Mask, covers your essential skincare needs, and can be a good way to get ahead of the weather and exhaustion this party season.
3. Protect Your Peace of Mind
Create A Budget Buffer
December can be brutal on your bank balance. Start a small festive fund today — stash $30 a week into a separate digital savings account – and use it when the credit card bill arrives in January. You’ll thank yourself for it.
Ring-fence Alone Time
Before the invites start flying in, block out rest days. You don’t have to attend everything. Split the load so the important events have you or your partner there – and don’t be afraid to relax during those empty-house moments. One or two alcohol-free nights a week in December will help you stay energetic and less overwhelmed. And even if it’s against your better judgment, begin a short daily mindfulness practice: five minutes of deep breathing or guided meditation will become second nature by December. And don’t forget to schedule something you love: a football match, a bar night with close friends, or a run on a crisp winter morning — so that the season isn’t just about obligations.
The Payoff
The holiday season doesn’t have to be an endurance test. A few deliberate actions now — ordering gifts early, securing your turkey, and giving your wardrobe a once-over — can transform stressful into satisfying. The best part? When everyone else is panic-buying socks on Christmas Eve, you’ll be sipping something nice, already packed for your getaway, and wondering why anyone finds December stressful at all.
