How to use the word 'no' and let go of festive stress

The best gift you can give yourself is the word ‘no’ if you’re being asked to host too many people or being invited to visit people you don’t like, or have to buy too many gifts or cook too much food

Feeling shattered? Having the best Christmas ever couldn't be simpler — say no to whatever you don't want to do. Picture: iStock

Having the best Christmas ever couldn't be simpler — say no to whatever you don't want to do.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But unless you live in another galaxy, escaping the annual admin-heavy pressure-fest we call Christmas is difficult, if not impossible. Opting out makes you a Grinch. Opting in means you’ll have started fielding invitations, demands and other people’s expectations by early November so that by mid-December, you’re frazzled as a parsnip. Especially if you’re a woman, socialised to accommodate everyone’s needs but your own. You need to unlearn this craziness. You need to say no.