Time-saving Tips During the Silly Season

It’s the time of year where every store window has been crammed with fake snow and you can’t enter a shop without hearing Mariah Carey’s iconic voice blasting through the speakers. With the most wonderful time of the year comes a calendar jam-packed with Christmas parties, work events, kids concerts and the pressure to catch up with everyone you’ve ever met before December 25th. Saving time wherever you can is crucial in ensuring you finish the year on a high (or at least relatively unscathed).

See our top time-saving hacks for maximising the season’s joy and minimising the stress:

1. Outsource your meals

There’s nothing like the unpredictability of December to throw your schedule off and have you reaching for the Takeaway menu. But the busiest time of the year is often also the most expensive, and frequent last-minute takeout meals can really throw off your budget when it’s already being strained. That’s why a freezer full of our delicious gourmet ready-made meals is ideal over the Christmas period. Try our bestselling Beef Lasagne for a fail-safe crowd-pleaser or our Gnocchi Bolognese for a delicious staple that’s guaranteed to please even the fussiest members of the household.

2. Make your gift-wrapping a social activity

Get the kids involved with any gift-wrapping possible- think teachers, colleagues and family. The recipients of your gifts will appreciate the personal touch, plus it’s a great way to keep the little ones occupied for a while. Better yet, gather your closest friends and combine the social catch-up you’ve been meaning to schedule with some mutually-beneficial Christmas admin. Trust us, your friends will thank you for bringing some joy to the never-ending chore of Christmas wrapping. While you’re at it, enjoy a glass of festive fizz!

3. Online shopping

Present shopping can be time consuming, overwhelming and inconvenient. If you can shop local during the Christmas period, this is the best way to support independent businesses at a challenging part of the year.  But for those last-minute forgotten gifts or people who ‘don’t want anything‘,  jump online for a quick and easy solution to getting your gift shopping done in one hit. Many small businesses are online now, so you can still support local with your online purchases. For a gourmet present they won’t try to re-gift, try one of our family-size ready-made pasta meals. With sleek artisan labels, your gift will look fancy as well as taste great. Order online and give the gift of time, convenience and deliciousness this Christmas.

We know that the lead up to Christmas is often stressful, expensive and exhausting. That’s why it’s so important to be selective with your time wherever you can, so that you can maximise the time spent with the people you love. Try these simple tips to lighten the load (even just a little) and pack in the joy this silly season.