However big your bump is, it's a great excuse for others to do the racing around. Here are five top tips for acing Christmas without the festive frazzles.
How can you get relaxing to the top of your festive agenda this year? We share our star tips on everything from how to avoid the high street, the queues at the supermarket, to a hectic home.
We know how important it is to keep stress levels low when you’re celebrating Christmas with a bump. But how you might ask, when Christmas is always so frantic?
#1. Sofa shop. Grab your phone, a comfy spot and get Christmas cracking. You can avoid the high street stampede in the comfort of your own home. We’re spoilt for choice with online, next-day delivery and click-and-collect services. Best of all, get someone else to do the collecting if you can.
#2. Don’t go wild. This is probably the year to opt out of homemade mince pies, crackers and iced biscuits – unless that’s the relaxing bit for you. Supermarkets have amazing food on offer these days so you’ll be forgiven for not going the whole (homemade) hog.
#3. Streamline. So, we know you usually buy your mince pies from one shop because they’ve had the best write up. Your turkey from the butchers down the road just because you always have. And hand pick every brussel sprout for optimum freshness and perfect shape. But…it might be time to reconsider. Maybe for this year at least try sticking to one food shop only (see list-making in point #5).
#4. Embrace your special status. Take up every offer of help. We know pregnancy is not an illness and you are more than capable of getting stuff done. But look after yourself too. Let people carry your shopping bags, cook Christmas dinner, rub your chilly feet and run you warm baths.
#5. Be organised. Last minute panics are probably the last thing you need right now. Your blood pressure and sanity will benefit from a little forward planning. Try to think about any decorating, shopping and guest-staying prep well ahead of time.
Ideally, be the mastermind but get others to do the do. Wrap pressies as you purchase. Write lots of lists. And sit there merrily while everyone else joins the Christmas eve race.
This page was last reviewed in November 2018
Further information
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
