The Christmas Rush or the Christmas Slide?

As Christmas fast approaches, there are probably two types of people out there. Those that are looking forward to the break; and those that have increasing stress levels as work needs to be completed and/or the pressure of performing on Christmas is ramping up – think searching for and purchasing the right present(s), organising and managing a Christmas feast fit for royalty, or just the sheer pressure of having family in a congested space for a period of time.

Whether you’re stressed or on the wind down, it is important to ensure that amongst the Christmas period mayhem that there is some time assigned for you.
 

Christmas Stress

There are a multitude of resources out there that provide helpful advice on how best to manage the stress and pressure of Christmas day and its hangover – and I’m not just talking about the number of beverages consumed. Here’s some brief tips to consider as you approach the festive season.

• Budget – We all feel the need to buy the best presents we can for our loved ones. It is important that you budget for Christmas and stick to it. Don’t over extended yourself as you’ll find that you’re still paying off purchases well into the following year.
• Shop early – Don’t leave shopping to the last minute! You can save yourself the time of aimlessly walking around for inspiration if you put some thought into what to buy early, and beat the rush and mass of people. Remember, it is the thought that counts – does your brother really need another bottle of after shave because you cannot think of anything else to get?
• Relationships – The white elephant in the room. Christmas is not the time to bring up old arguments. Avoid triggers you know that will cause conflict, add some physical activity to the Christmas agenda such as BYC and avoid the over-consumption of alcohol.
• Miracles – Control what you can control. You cannot control everyone, what they do or the decisions they make, so don’t get upset when something goes wrong. Don’t expect miracles, just be prepared for the unexpected! 

Be selfish

Contrary to belief that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing etc., take it with a grain of salt! Yes, do what makes you happy, share a meal, smiles and laughter, give where you can to those a little less fortunate, but overall make sure that you get the time to recuperate and do something that cleanses the soul.

The break needs to be about what is important to you – spending time with family, attending those summer events, reading a book, fishing, sight-seeing or just exploring what New Zealand has to offer! Get plenty of rest, moderate the consumption of both food and alcohol and enjoy the lesser pace of life. Don’t rush to get anywhere, just take your time, and enjoy what life has to offer. 

Apex Digital – We do what we say

In this case, we do what we preach! Recently we had the opportunity to take stock of how fortunate we are, and focus our energies into helping out those a little less fortunate. In New Plymouth, we joined the small army of collectors that took to the residential streets on the Annual Food Bank Collection. A great cause and a small contribution of time from our team that has a multitude of benefits; for us as individuals, as a business, but also as a contributing member to society.

Our focus forward will be taking the time out to recuperate over the festive season and bring in the New Year with a bang. 

How we like to spend our break

Here’s what a few of our staff are up to over the festive season:

Tess

This self-proclaimed sports nut is looking forward to a dry summer season to get outdoors and some sport spectating. This will have to be in between training for the next Block series as she tackles all those household fix-up chores of waterblasting, painting the fence, and attacking the garden; and training for a leg in the Mountain to Surf Marathon which is held in March. 

Dan

Dan is revering in the novelty of a warm summer Christmas period that is at odds with the white Christmas’s of home in the States. Excited about the prospect of working on the tan and spending some time at the beach, the campervan is being loaded with surfboards, fishing rods, and a travel bbq, and he is hitting the road to embrace some of the kiwi wilderness. 

Leanne

Christmas means family time for Leanne and ensuring the Santa sacks are well stocked to ensure a truckload of smiles from the kids. A simple Christmas lunch and is on the agenda followed by a family stroll along the beach to get rid of the Christmas goodies. Then it’s time to pack up the car and head to the Coromandel with bikes and boogie boards in tow.  

Shay

Another Bob the Builder type, Shay is spending the break undertaking some major renovations of the homely abode. Not to be overworked, Shay and her partner have scheduled a couple of mini-breaks – taking in the sights of one of Taranaki’s best little coastal settlements and famous holiday spot, Oakura, and a road trip to the capital.

Paul

With 3 of 4 of the family’s siblings having partners from Otago, this year the family Christmas is in the Naki. The holiday period will be about having everyone together, a Christmas feast of whitebait, paua and sushi, along with other traditional fare. The highlight will be seeing the faces of children and their young cousins as they tear into the opening of their presents. 

Keri

It’s a family affair in the household, spending as much time together, in the sun, with a possible fence that needs to be erected. The lure of the family bach maybe too strong and a short trip away on the cards to revitalise the spirit. Keri is looking forward to dipping her toes in the water and watching her husband cook all their meals on the bbq this summer.

Merry Christmas from the team at Apex Digital

Around the office it’s difficult get in the last word but we’ve left the last word to Karyn, our dedicated and professional director.

“We’ve had a wonderful year here at Apex working with fabulously engaged clients, creating websites that are generating real business results and making a positive difference to the way they run their businesses. We sincerely thank you for all your support throughout 2014, wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to helping you achieve a prosperous New Year.

Our team at Apex are awesome and it is always such a privilege to come to work every day and be surrounded by such great minds. Thank you for your hard work over the past 12 months which is so greatly appreciated –  we can’t wait to do it all again with you all in 2015. But for now, it’s time for a well-deserved break, time to recharge the batteries and spend quality time with family and friends.

Christmas for my family this year will be all about spending time together having fun in the sun, re-connecting with friends from out of town and participating in the Kiwi Xmas tradition of a little DIY around the house.

We look forward to catching up with you all in the New Year.”

Karyn

Strategy & Marketing Director

Apex Digital