Growing up, we always had a big family Christmas up north. Until my early 50s, I’d only ever spent one Christmas Day away from my parents! That was back in 2001 when we went to New Zealand for a few weeks to visit my ex’s brother and sister-in-law. Let me tell you, having a barbecue for Christmas dinner in the middle of summer felt so strange—it really threw me. 

 

Thinking back to when my son was little, Christmas was such a whirlwind. His dad worked for a parcel company, so December was always his busiest time, with 12-hour days leaving me to manage everything solo. Add to that Finn’s birthday being on 10th December—he’d never know what he wanted for Christmas until after his birthday, which left me cramming all his Santa shopping into the last two weeks. It was mayhem. 

 

There I was, sorting the dog into kennels, buying, wrapping, and hiding presents, packing the car, and generally being a one-woman Christmas machine—all while juggling work and trying to create some festive magic. Christmas Eve was always the same, Finn and I would wait for his dad to get home, then pile into the car for the 100-mile drive to my family, where Christmas would officially kick off. By the time we arrived, I’d be a tightly wound ball of stress, just ready to flop—but there’d still be all the family dynamics to navigate and traditions to join in with. 

That all changed in 2017 when we sold the family home after my mum passed away. My dad had gone in 2015, but we’d kept up all the usual traditions without him, which was strange—his absence left such a big gap at the table. It’s been a real adjustment over the years, but honestly, I’ve felt much less stressed during Christmases since then. Don’t get me wrong, we had loads of laughs and made some lovely memories, but it’s never quite like those picture-perfect adverts, is it? No matching pyjamas and log fires, all smiles. Real life is much messier. 

 

Christmas can be such a stressful time, especially if you’re the one who’s making it all happen. So, to help take some of the wardrobe stress off your plate, I’ve dusted off a few tips to keep you feeling fabulous during the festive season. 

 

Social events are starting to ramp up for me this week, and I’ve got some new sparkly bits I’m excited to wear. I’ve got my outfits sorted, which is such a relief because I know what it’s like when you’re staring at your wardrobe, stressed about what to wear. Feeling comfortable and confident is important all year round, but even more so when you’re out and about for festive do’s. 

Your Style Personality is key to dressing without stress. I use a quiz with all my clients to pinpoint their primary style personality—it’s the starting point for everything we do together. It’s also one of the four steps in my Project FAB! framework, which you can read about in my book. 

 

Here’s an example: If you’re the jeans-and-t-shirt type and suddenly try to transform into a bodycon-wearing glamazon in sky-high sparkly heels for a Christmas drinks party, you’re going to feel like Bambi on ice—and that’s no fun. Instead, the key is to dial up your usual style. Add a touch of glam that still feels like you. Comfydence (comfortable confidence) is always the goal. It’s about dressing authentically but tweaking your look to suit the occasion. 

 

Simple changes can work wonders. Swap basic fabrics for something luxurious like silk, velvet, or brocade. Trade your everyday jeans for darker denim or a richer colour. Or step into shoes with a little sparkle or embellishment—something that catches the light without tripping you up. 

 

If you’re hosting Christmas dinner, think practical but stylish. Short or 3/4 sleeves are a winner, so you’re not dipping them in the gravy, and natural fabrics help keep you cool in a hot kitchen. Layers are also great—you don’t want to end up sweating in your ‘Sunday best.’ And if spills happen, dark or patterned fabrics can be a lifesaver. (I love a festive apron for this—mine’s a Santa one complete with a chef’s hat!) 

Speaking of festive traditions, I’ve always dressed up on Christmas Day—it’s just something we’ve always done. Though these days, I’m back in my pyjamas by 7pm! A couple of years ago, I ordered us matching reindeer T-shirts for a fun family photo, which turned out to be a brilliant idea- I love it! Although you can’t see Finn’s because Rubydog was trying to escape. 

 

On that note, don’t hide from the camera. I’m so grateful my mum took loads of photos over the years—they’re such precious reminders of times with my parents and grandparents. If you feel awkward posing, here’s a tip: hold your arm slightly away from your body to avoid the dreaded ‘flat arm.’ Put one foot in front of the other and push your chin forward slightly to avoid double chins. You don’t need to go full ‘Instaglam,’ but a few tweaks can make all the difference. 

 

And if you’re prone to a bit of a rosy glow after a couple of Proseccos, keep some blotting papers or powder handy to tone down the shine. A green concealer under your foundation can help cancel out redness, too. And don’t forget your lippy—it can make a world of difference in photos! 

Hopefully, you’re feeling a bit more relaxed than I used to in December. This time in two weeks, it’ll all be over, and we’ll be in that weird Twixtmas limbo. Now then, who’s ready for a Baileys? (Or Christmas milk as we prefer to call it.) 

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