Women usually bear the burden at Christmas - from cooking to gifts - here’s how to navigate this time while actually enjoying it

‘I’ve learned that Christmas isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about celebrating love, laughter, and the birth of our Saviour during all the craziness,’ says Salomé Criddle.

Ah, Christmas. As the nights grow longer and the chill increases, you can almost taste the festive air. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Or at least, that’s what we tell ourselves while meticulously planning every detail, from colour-coordinated wrapping paper to perfecting the family photo.

As a wife and mother, surviving the holidays should be an art form - a triumphant balance between festive dreams and the occasional hiccups that come with juggling it all. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve learned that survival comes with equal parts of preparation, prayer, and maybe a sneaky stash of hidden chocolate for emergencies.