Happy Christmas everyone!

Christmas is my favourite time of the year 😊 I love everything about it, getting together with family and friends, the food, the games, Christmas films, Christmas songs, the Christmas baking, the Christmas tree, the decorations, the long walks, the laughter, the sparkle, the lights and, of course, the presents! It is fast approaching and although it’s a time of peace, relaxation and enjoying family time, it can also be a time of stress, panic and rushing around like mad – but with a little bit of planning, it doesn’t have to be.

With a little organisation and a few lists (thanks Hannah 😊) let’s make this Christmas stress free so that we can enjoy every step of it!

Here’s how to eliminate the stress this year:

Present buying is quite a big part of Christmas so to try to be organised, think about what you are getting everyone and make a list. I make my list through the year, from things people mention they like all the way back in Summer, to homemade items that I think they’d like. Aim to have everything bought in plenty of time so that you have time to wrap it all (this of course, doesn’t always happen, but the more you can buy early (and look out for the Black Friday sale!) the less stressful it’ll be. I find that I get stressed if I leave wrapping the presents until Christmas Eve so I like to do this in plenty of time. A couple of weeks before Christmas, I like to put a Christmas film on, pour myself a large glass of wine (well it is Christmas😊) and wrap my pressies. It’s very satisfying to know that this is done with time to spare for any last-minute gifts that you need to get. If you like to wrap presents on Christmas Eve, make sure you allow enough time to do this. And don’t forget, Christmas is about so much more than just presents – don’t feel you have to go overboard and buy hundreds of presents for everyone! In fact, homemade items are often much more appreciated – just make sure to start these in plenty of time.

Next, if you’re going to family or eating out on Christmas day, lucky you! For those of us that will be cooking, plan your menu for your starters, main meal and dessert. Make a list (Hannah says that you can never have too many 😊) and work out the quantities that you’ll need. Buy everything in plenty of time – obviously there’s a fine time line for some items, but get what you can nice and early, and try to pre-order the other items so that they just need collecting. There’s nothing worse than dashing out for something last minute, only to find that they haven’t got it.

I like to get the table set and decorated the night before, with a festive centre piece, Christmas confetti and fairy lights. I also do as much food prep as possible – we like preparing the veg, prepping the meat and finalising any desserts whilst watching a Christmas Film (or the American Football) on Christmas Eve.

This all means that I can enjoy Christmas Eve afternoon and wake up on Christmas Day without too much stress. We always have a big family outing on Christmas Eve to Stockeld Park to blow the cobwebs away and enjoy some fresh air. Fingers crossed it doesn’t rain! I need this time to clear my head and have some much-needed exercise and movement. We’ll be enjoying hot chocolate and running around with Poppy 😊

This year, make time for you too! Slow down and take the time to do something that you enjoy whether that’s having a long hot soak in the bath (my favourite), watching a Christmas film, reading a book or simply catching up with friends. Make time to exercise too as this will keep your energy levels up, help you to sleep better and help with all those extra calories over the festive period too. Try to go for a brisk walk, fit an extra class in at the gym or simply do our 30-minute circuit full body workout. This is great for fitting into your lifestyle at any time of year but even more so when things around you are hectic . Your body will thank you for it once the festive season is over, and you will feel so much better both physically and mentally. We all hate that sluggish feeling at the beginning of January so let’s not have it this new year!

There are some great local events on if you’re looking for things to do around Christmas, take a look at the following:

Horsforth Winter Wonderland. It doesn’t get more local than this. Over 100 local businesses, artists and musicians have co-ordinated a series of activities over four Thursdays in the run up to Christmas with the final one being on the 15^th December. At W Fitness, we are hosting three wonderful ladies in our wellness evening on the 15^th, Steph (Acupuncture), Kate (TRE) and Helen (Quantum Energy Healing). Visit us at W Fitness on Station Road between 6pm and 8pm and take some time out from the stress of Christmas to unwind and enjoy some well-earned well-being time for yourself!
Enjoy ‘Santa Paddle 22’ on Sunday 18^th December from 10am till 2.30pm at the Tiny Tea Room in Rodley. This is a fancy dress paddle on the canal from Rodley to Apperley Bridge and back. It’s a free event unless you require board hire (limited board availibity).
Let the kids expend some energy and take them to the Kid’s Christmas Disco at the Beck and Call, Stainbeck Road, Chapel Allerton on Thursday 22^nd December from 11.30am till 1pm. Children from age 4 can attend and tickets are £8.
We also have our Kids Christmas Dance Camp on Wednesday 21st December. Your kids can come and burn off some energy whilst team building, learning a Christmassy dance and building their dance technique all whilst having FUN! It’s 9:30am – 12pm and tickets are £15 per child. Email wfitnesshorsforth@gmail.com to book.
If you fancy a seasonal theatre trip, look no further than Guiseley Theatre. They are showing a magical Christmas Spectacular, Bravo Victor – Christmas is saved, brought to life by Codswallop CIC. Enjoy snow, songs and plenty of trains! Tickets are from only £3 and the performance is on Friday 23^rd December at 2.30pm.
The Carriageworks in Leeds is showing Cinderella up until Sunday 8^th January. Featuring breath-taking special effects, spectacular scenery and sparkling costumes along with plenty of traditional pantomime mayhem, laughter and chances for you to join in the fun. Contact The Carriageworks for show times and ticket prices.
If you fancy singing along at a carol concert, then head over to Leeds Minster on Thursday 15^th December at 6.30pm or 8.30pm for the Lord Mayor’s carol concert. Please visit www.leedsconcertseason.co.uk to purchase tickets.

Let’s all have the best Christmas. Eat, drink and be merry, enjoy all the festivities, spend time with loved ones, love your body and keep active 😊

From all of us at W Fitness, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 😊

Much love

Caroline & Hannah xx