HOW TO HAVE A CALM CHRISTMAS

‘Tis the season for too much socialising, festive days out, trying to create magical memories while balancing work, play, nativities, whatsapp groups and class gifts – add to that a week of all consuming family time that you may not be used to, cooking, hosting, breaking up squabbles and cleaning the kitchen (again) and it’s no wonder we end the festive period on the brink of a breakdown.

Christmas can be full of happiness and joy, but it can also be a time of year when tempers start to fray – especially when bringing together family who don’t love being in each other’s constant company. If this is all sounding familiar, we have some ideas on how to keep the peace this year…

MINIMISE THE MANIA

I try to accept the chaos and the lack of sleep at this time of year, and I make sure I earmark a couple of days after Christmas to rest and do what makes me feel good. That means my husband taking the kids out for a morning, without me, while I treat myself to an Everything Shower and sit in a towel staring into space for a good half an hour. Heaven.

The global luxury bath and body market is currently valued at over $15 billion and is forecast to reach $32 billion in the next 10 years. With all the tech at our fingertips, it’s the traditional mode of TLC that really works when it comes to unwinding…

FOR TIGHT MUSCLES: Skin Gym Body Gua Sha, £18

This sturdy gua sha is made from waterproof materials, so you can keep it in the shower ready for when you want to alleviate tension and boost blood flow. Use it in long and short strokes to reduce inflammation and get rid of any sluggish feeling. Try and apply water or your favourite wash to your skin first for added slip. 

FOR NON-STICKY NOURISHMENT: L’Occitane Shower Oil, £19

Face: juicy, plump and well tended to. Body: dry as the desert. Relate? We have put so much emphasis on the skin above the décolletage that our limbs have taken a backseat. This is the in-shower hydrator. A ‘oil to milk’ formula, it absorbs in an instant, with nourishing oils, hyaluronic acid and collagen all saturating the skin with lasting moisture and zero greasy residue. The scent is instantly relaxing too.

FOR A FAST SKIN OVERHAUL: Vichy Normaderm 3 in 1 Cleanser, Scrub and Mask, £15 (use code *thisismothership for up to 30% discount)

With a multi-tasking formula, it can be used as a cleansing cream to eliminate impurities, a skin-refining scrub to minimise the appearance of pores, or leave on for 5 minutes as a face mask to mattify and rebalance oily complexions. Its creamy texture melts effortlessly onto skin to leave it revitalised, soothed and smoothed.

FOR VISITING FAMILY: Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Jet Set, £30

Moisturise, nourish and scent skin with this kit that includes body butter, shower oil and a perfume spray. Theres a reason these kits sell out in seconds; the re-usable bag is as as good as the products that come inside. I love to reuse as travel bags – for kids games or toiletry items, they work either way. This is the brand new velvet plum, sugared violet, vanilla orchid and sheer sandalwood scent.

TO SMOOTHE SKIN: Paula’s Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum, £34

Suffer with rough skin? Or persistent red bumps? This body serum from Paula’s Choice will help. Full of anti-reddening niacinamide, it’s incredibly soothing and uses antioxidants and hydrating panthenol to nourish and moisturise. You’ll notice how much softer your skin feels almost immediately

TO BOOST MOOD: Joon Byrd Moon Swim Body Wash, £14

Dermatologist Alexis Granite launched a range of body products incorporating mood-boosting scent rituals into our daily basic routine, taking the actives that you might associate with facial care and moving them below the neck. Packed with peptides and antioxidants to tighten, firm and lift the body skin, as well as hydrate.

FOR THE ULTIMATE CALM AND COSY ATMOSPHERE: Neom Cosy Nights Candle, £30 (use code *thisismothership for up to 30% discount)

Relax, rest and recharge with every flicker of this stress-busting candle. Festive aromas of blazing embers and smoky firewood help you me relax and conjours up images of snuggling by an open fire on a cosy, winter night – even when all hell is breaking loose.