December Challenges

Make your own Christmas cards! This is something you probably haven’t done since primary – but why?! Making your own Christmas cards is so much fun and a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Plus a gorgie hand made card is so much more meaningful than a standard, mass produced piece of cardboard! Whip out the glitter, crayons and paint and get decorating.

 

Don’t over indulge (too much!). December is a month that’s all about parties, food, booze, shopping and sun. While all of these things can be great fun, make sure you take them in moderation; otherwise you’ll quickly find the silly season turning you silly! When it comes to partying and alcohol make sure you remember your limits and keep hydrated with generous doses of water. Remember to fill up on fresh fruit and veggies, don’t go too crazy with the credit card and wear sunscreen every day. These minor precautions will help keep you feeling great throughout the month.

 

Get organised for next year now! Studying at a tertiary institution in 09? Now is the time to apply for your Student Allowances or Loans. It’s quick and easy to do; you can even do it online at the StudyLink website right now. First step is to figure out what you’ll need monetary wise (you can do that at the StudyLink website) and then get your application in. Apply now and you won’t have to bat an eyelid next year! No stress and no panic, it’s the perfect way to start the New Year.

Organise a Christmas get-together with your friends. Spread a little Christmas cheer amongst your friends by organising a Christmas picnic, party or BBQ. Seeing as you’ll probably be splitting your own separate ways for Christmas with the family, get in early and organise some kind of Christmas celebration. Whether it’s a beachy picnic, a fun BBQ or a lush dinner night out, organise some kind of pre Christmas catch up and celebration. It’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit.

 

Make Christmas dinner for your family. Give your mum or dad a break this Christmas and offer to make Christmas dinner for your family! So it’s not a total disaster, start researching menu plans and practising now. I’m sure it will be a welcome break for whoever normally takes on the challenge of Christmas dinner in your family – it’s quite possibly the ultimate Christmas gift! In the meantime, it makes a great excuse to start whipping up tasty treats like pavalovas, roasts and scrummy salads – it’s all in the name of practise, right?!

 

Make someone else’s Christmas. Think of others less fortunate and help make someone else’s Christmas a little brighter. Whether you volunteer to help out at a present wrapping station at your local mall (visit www.volunteeringauckland.org.nz to find out more), dropping a present off for an underprivileged child at the Salvation Army or just spending some time with someone you know who might be feeling lonely these holidays, by helping out just a little bit, you can really help make this Christmas a great one for someone else.