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St. Nicholas has left the country. Now our annual ritual of considering and deciding things has arrived. You’ve got to think of what to wear on Christmas evening, who to invite on Christmas day and where to find the most fun New Year’s eve party? It requires a lot of arranging unless you’ve been clever enough to book a flight to a tropical destination. December has gezellig, harmonieus en ja, samen gevierd te worden. En je hebt een probleem als je om welke reden dan ook niet voldoet. Dus voordat ik je vertel hoe ik hiermee omga, deel ik eerst een beetje over mijn persoonlijke decemberstress.

I work for magazines and the December days start about right after the summer holidays. Editorial boards (that’s me) brainstorm about original and quick but optimally effective recipes, and whether to decorate the tree with silver or colors this year. In order to feel Christmassy we’ll ask a bakery to bake Christmas wreaths and pepernoten, and there’s always a tree (fake of course) with balls and other decorations. It’s of course hilarious but it works. The disadvantage to it is that you’re preparing it for such a long time that it’s not really cosy or fun anymore when the moment suprème finally arrives. Not everyone’s charmed by, you’ve got to admit, those days’ rather forcefully cosy, peace-on-earth-character.
Voila, my 5 tips for a stress-free Christmas

DVD SERIES

Ask people over who you know don’t really like these days and who’ll be happy to join you. Buy a DVD series, and, if you’ve got enough room for sleepovers, organise a pajama party and a 24-hour long Homeland/Borgen/the Bridge/Penoza-marathon. Sushi or pizza and of course lots of wine. Success guaranteed.

SHOP

Perhaps you haven’t got much time or you simply can’t live a day without? In Belgium, they don’t celebrate second Christmas day. Take the train or the car and fly to fashion walhalla Antwerp where all the shops are open. Visit the Nationalestraat where Antwerp’s fashion scene is mostly concentrated, and walk through the Schuttershofstraat with famous designers, and, of course, hit the cosy Kloosterstraat for some antiques and vintage.

À LA GEER AND GOOR

Good things come to those who make them happen. Perhaps you know someone who could need some extra attention and who you could help by visiting for a chat. If you’ve planned a cultural trip then it might be good to know that all the big museums are still open.

HOME ALONE

I love to stay busy in my house on those days. Cleaning up, tidying my closets, perhaps a dash of Hermès-orange on the walls. Books, magazines, great music. And the feeling of not having to do ANYTHING.

BON APPÉTIT

Would you rather like a traditional Christmas dinner? Realise that you’re not a better host if you’re serving food you’ve prepared yourself. Feel free to use a good caterer. Warming up meals correctly and on time is an art in itself.

Happy Holidays, it’s 2014 before you realise it.

Have fun
Peggy