Hello November and hello sinners. November is officially here and we all know what November means; the big clue is in Eyre Square, The Annual Christmas Market is back to kick-off the winter season and Christmas music is being played on radio stations and surrounding shopping centres. We need to embrace it, Christmas season has begun because November is genuinely every Irish person’s preparation season for present hunting and Christmas décor purchasing.
You all must see the view from the Big Wheel too, it is simply spectacular to see the lights in Eyre Square, Shop Street and down towards the Latin Quarter. Every single year, I keep saying to myself that I’ll get the special package for the Big Wheel; 50 euro for a group of four people, a comfy-seated gold cart and a bottle of prosecco and a time limit of 25 minutes on the wheel. However, I’d most likely switch the prosecco with a glass of Coca-Cola, I’d be a happy elf then.
Everyone is aware that Christmas season is quite stressful and a sad time of year for a lot of families. Loved ones who are no longer with us are remembered and candles are lit in houses and churches for them. On top of that because of the cost of living or inflation, it seems like everything is way too expensive and what we used to spend on Christmas presents has doubled over the last few years. The icing on the cake is for a lot of students, it’s exam season and you don’t need me to tell you that’s stressful in its own right. However, if you break it down into little pieces then you’ll find it’s going to be so much more manageable.
When it comes to buying Christmas presents for friends and family, don’t overdo, don’t overthink and don’t break your bank wanting to please everyone. If you look closely, there’s something perfect yet rightly priced on the shelf in front of you. A quick tip: put a Christmas hamper together and fill it with their favourite snacks, body wash and spray, little bits and bobs that they use and love; they’ll love something more that you’ve put together yourself rather than something over the top that they won’t use. Trust me, I’ve adapted this strategy and have received great results and genuine reactions and every single thing in their hamper is used.
Preparing for exams is something different to finding the right gift, but there is a simple strategy for that too; an hour or two or three a day keeps the stress at bay. Practice a few exam questions, write out your answer and make sure your points are valid with zero waffling. Do your research, highlight the important bits and most importantly, take your study breaks to get a coffee, have a snack or listen to your favourite tunes. Life isn’t one big picture that you have to tackle all at once, break it down and analyse each piece as it comes and how you’re going to climb over it. You got this.