Whether you’re enjoying a stay-cation in your own backyard or heading off to a holiday spot to enjoy the festive season, here are a few Leadhome tips to help you make the best of the so-called silly season.
Swimming, Sun and Fun: If your home has a pool area, take some time out to enjoy the gorgeous summer weather with family and friends. You might want to invest in some new pool items in bright summery colours to add some great vibes to your summer-time playground. Coloured pool cushions in bold hues, a comical stripy or spotty umbrella and some soft marine-themed swimming towels can all add a fresh look to your pool area. A few cheery inflatables will be a hit with the kids and adults and a few long-lasting (reusable) plastic cocktail glasses will add to the summer fun.
If you make use of a pool in your complex, take a little time to get to know your fellow residents. Maybe organise a get-to-know-you braai (if possible) and spread a little bit of festive cheer getting to know those around you.
Long-Term Pool Goals: You might want to invest a little bit more into the outdoor area of your home. December might be a good time to think about paving the area around your pool or investing in a wooden deck in the New Year. You might want to think about solar panels for warming the pool, which will result in a longer swimming season.
Enjoy Your Home: Whether you are spending a little or a lot of time in your home during the holiday season, take the time to enjoy it. We spend so much time working to pay off our bonds during the year, and the reward is enjoying the space – potter around the garden, identify a favourite space and set up a chill area for reading or relaxing. Do some of the things that you don’t have time to do during busier times of the year. Invite people you adore into the space and fill the walls with good energy and laughter that will last all year round.
Don’t Over-Indulge: The festive season doesn’t have to be about overindulgence in absolutely everything; you can get to January without putting on a few extra kilos from too much good food and wine (or beer/whisky, or calorie-laden cocktails . . .). The booze-free movement is growing in leaps and bounds not only locally but overseas as well (spurred on by millennials, who are hell-bent on making better choices than those who went before them). So perhaps consider things like alcohol-free beer (Devil’s Peak Alcohol-Free Beer is a flavourful option) when enjoying your chill time. There are a few de-alcoholised wines to choose from as well (look at the Lautus range) and The Duchess is a play-play gin and tonic (without the gin) that is particularly good – it’s a proper grown-up drink, unlike quite a few other alcohol-free choices that tend to be quite sweet.
Playtime In The Kitchen: As with the booze-free concept, the holiday season doesn’t have to be all about overindulgence; it can be a time to try out fresh new (healthier) recipes and food ideas in your kitchen (and test them on friends and family). Being summer time in South Africa, it means that we have a wide range of gorgeous fresh produce to choose from, so get creative in your kitchen and opt for the lighter, healthier food choices that are still delicious but result in less regret come January when you have to step on the scale. You might want to look for inspiration from foodies like Chantal Lascaris (https://chantallascaris.co.za); Sarah Graham (https://sarahgraham.co.za) and Thuli Gogela’s Mzansi Style Cuisine website (www.mzansistylecuisine.co.za). For a mouth-watering journey around the globe, take a look at the fantastic Ishay Govender Ypma who has a tasty blog (https://www.foodandthefabulous.com) and a very yummy book titled Curry: Stories and Recipes Across South Africa (not only an inspiration for your kitchen-experimentation moments but a great festive gift as well).
Get Active: More leisure time means getting a bit more active, and you may want to take the opportunity to walk around the neighbourhood and get to know it a bit better. Explore the exercise and activity options in your area – identify great places to go cycling. Is there tai chi or yoga in the local park? Try a few crunches at the outdoor gym on the corner. Are there any nature walks nearby? Perhaps visit the local golf course (if that’s your thing) and see about the options of playing a few rounds of golf. December is always a great month to set the tone for the New Year in terms of fitness goals.
Permission To Chill: And if all this activity sounds like a bad idea and you just want to veg on the sofa and enjoy a good book, that’s fine too – mental health is just as important as physical health and your mind and body might both be shouting out for some chill time with no agenda.
Listen to your mind and body, be kind to yourself and arrive in January relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on a whole New Year.
For those of you who are working for most of the festive season, as some of us at Leadhome, be kind to yourself and identify the positive aspects of working over this time (the roads are less busy, customers are less demanding, and that pay cheque is within easy reach). Plan a few special treats and outings and make sure that when it’s downtime you get to rest and relax and spend quality time with the people you love.
