The holidays are a joyous time for family and friends, but they can also be stressful. You are probably worried about finding the perfect gifts, attending all the right parties, and keeping track of everyone’s travel plans. How will you manage it all?
The good news is that advance planning can ease the stress of this busy time of year. If you start preparing now, you’ll have fewer things to think about later. Here are some tips on how to get prepare for Christmas holiday ahead of time, so you can relax and enjoy the festivities once they begin.
10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Christmas Holidays in Advance
Plan Ahead
Planning requires that you put money aside. It could also mean picking a place that favors your family, maybe a nice place you have wanted to visit, or even a teachable moment for your kids.
Sometimes we all need help planning for our holidays, might be suggestions from your friends, family, neighbours, social media, or even the typical internet strangers. Prices could go up and down before the hyped-up festive season, so you have to get your budget in check.
Start by checking the days you will be free and then consider what will suit your family. You could even do a trivia quiz on your family to see what comes out on top. Sum it all up: road trips, nature sites, traditions, gifts, party home visits, or anything else your family might be into. After all that is done, you should check some things.
- How much is the price range?
- Does all of it fit into your schedule ( you don’t need to overdo it)?
- What can you move around right now to make time and energy for the events you are planning?
Decide the events you want to attend.
Holidays are a time to do it all. That doesn’t mean you have to literally cram it all into one holiday. You have to decide what you have time for and what you can fit into the schedule you have. Think about how much money you are willing to spend on the holiday.
Having a budget might help you resist the urge to overspend as the holiday gets closer. Things might be tight right now and you feel like you cannot afford a holiday, but if you plan, you’ll be able to make the right financial decisions, leading to a lovely holiday.
If the budget is an issue, take steps now to avoid uncomfortable situations during the holidays. Talk to the extended family about skipping gifts, giving gifts only to the children, or drawing names and setting a cap on the amount.
Speak to your family and see what they expect.
The holidays are meant for everyone, from your birth parents to your in-laws to your own family and sometimes even your friends. Your kids expect certain things from you, like gifts and trips to places they have heard about. The extended family also expects you to spend time with them and visit places that might bring back some things to spark up the fading light that separated you during the year.
It’s crucial to talk to them, see what everyone expects the holiday to be like, and make a change to your schedule to fit what they want. A perfect holiday includes everyone in your circle.
Prepare a budget for the holiday.
Proper planning for holidays and Christmas is crucial as it helps one to avoid overspending. Prepare a budget for the activities you need to carry out. Whether it’s a plan for a short vacation out of home or just home visits to your relatives.
Write down everything you want to do and expenses such as travel expenses, accommodation, food, or buying gifts. Consider all the factors. Set a limit on how much you are willing to spend and allocate money to each of the above-listed factors.
Whatever you decide on putting on your budget has a price on it. After accounting for them, you might want to start putting money away for the events to make the budget list hold up. The festive season comes with a big urge to spend money on gifts, trips, and other things. Putting money aside helps you gauge what you spend on something or someone.
You can put the money in a savings account where it’s easily accessible. Here is a budget template to use as you prepare for Christmas holiday.
Book in advance.
Planning and booking in advance provide the luxury of efficiency. The feeling of relaxation when you don’t have to worry about anything is one, we all crave. Booking in advance gives you relief; no more worrying about what you’ll get. It also releases a certain pressure on your budget. Now you can focus on the other things on your budget that you booked.
Booking in advance may also get you discounts and rewards. This will give you the extra amount you need to enjoy your holiday. It will also limit the possibility of going over budget as you will have the prices locked in.
Places to Visit in Kenya on a Budget
When people think about Africa as a whole, we all picture the majestic lions and all the types of cultures we have on our beautiful continent. I agree with you all 100%. Africa, Kenya included, has a majestic variety of wildlife, which makes it some of the best holiday places to spend time. Plus, they are quite affordable.
Here are the 10 places to visit when you are on a budget.
Nairobi
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust allows you to see baby elephants up close. This is an exciting opportunity for you to support a great cause and for your children to experience wildlife up close.
- Nairobi National Park
Start your holiday by taking your loved ones to witness the beauty of nature and wildlife by visiting the Nairobi National Park. Get to see lions’ cheetahs and all kinds of animals in the park at close range. Plus, there are picnic and camping sites inside the park.
- Giraffe Centre
You must feed the giraffe and get to meet Tall Ed. The Giraffe Centre is a must-do activity for your family when you visit Nairobi.
- Ngong Hills
Trek the expansive Ngong hills and enjoy the views from the top of the hills. Get to see the windmills at work and enjoy a picnic with family after the walk and views.
Mombasa
- Fort Jesus Museum.
You must visit Fort Jesus and get to learn the history of the slave trade in East Africa. Fort Jesus is in Old town of Mombasa along the coastline. It was built by the Portuguese, and you get to see great architecture and artifacts.
- Watamu National Marine Park.
At Watamu National Marine Park, you get to experience snorkeling, boat rides, and amazing views. Watamu will give you and your family an experience you will not forget.
- Mida creek
Explore Mida Creek by foot or use a canoe to get to the dug-out canoes. Ride through the waterways and get to see birds, sea turtles, starfish, and crabs.
Narok
- Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara is one of the most incredible national reserves in Kenya. It’s a corridor for the wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania. If you are looking for the ultimate wild animal experience, this is the place to visit.
Adults are charged Ksh 1000 and children Ksh 200. Non-resident adults pay $70, while children are charged $40. If you are going to the park from Nairobi, take the train to Suswa and then connect from there to the park.
Nakuru
- Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park nestles on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. It is known for its huge soda lake. It attracts a whole lot of hundreds of larger and lesser flamingos who come to mate and feed on the lake’s algae.
The entry fee for the lake is KSH 850 for adults and KSH 215 for children. Adults who are not residents are charged $60, and children are charged $35.
Nyahururu
- Thomson Falls in Nyahururu
The falling waters at Thomson Falls serenade the nature around and they ease into the visitor’s ears. Enjoy the smooth roar of the water as it falls on the hard rocks.
Plan your trip. You may proceed from one to the next. Make sure you budget for all the expenses and have fun while at it. Look for ways to cut costs and make your trip memorable. Make memories while at it.
Don’t just spend money on the holidays, make sure you plan and enjoy them. Many of us often go through the holidays without making any significant plans, and that results in an expensive or even dull holiday.
Do it differently this year. Plan, prepare a budget, and book in advance. The key is to prepare for all scenarios, and you will have a holiday with a difference.
