Is this going to be the last Christmas where you spend months working, then cooking, cleaning, planning, stressing and shopping and recognise it is a madness called status anxiety? This very compulsive dangerous activity is connected to status, misery and pattern behaviour, which leaves most of us in debt for months just because we choose to over spend for one day.

We have to remember what Christmas is all about, paricularly for this Christmas 2020 and not get bogged down and depressed because in reality we cannot afford any of it anyway and change the way you look at things. This year the pressure is off. Real happiness is all about attainable aspiration, getting what you want for less, leaving all your hard earned cash to get you what you need.

So here is a top tip for looking amazing on Christmas day without having to hit the High Street last minute for a little something sparkly to wear on the big day. special occasion clothes are notorious "Wear it once" purchases. Hold a clothes swap party at home and tell your friends to bring something they have hidden in their closet which they purchased for a party but either never had the confidence to wear or will unlikely be wearing again. You will be amazed at what turns up and chances are you will find a brand new look without having to spend a single penny. This kind of Christmas swap party doesn't even have to be in person. Submit your swaps to one person ahead of the zoom party to moderate proceedings and keep track of all the swaps.

Stop shopping and start swapping with friends and family what you already have stored away unused from last year. It could be new clothes with tickets still on in closets or unused unwanted gifts from last year, compulsive purchases you made but never really needed and find things you can use as presents this year!  Re gifting can be dangerous in your own circle, I have been given back something I have given in the past but swapping for something new to you and then gifting it is a whole new ballgame. Keep repeating this trigger to remind you how stupid Christmas shopping is when you cannot really afford it;

Buy new and the joke is on you!

Photo by: Alexander Kovacs Unsplash