Christmas survival guide

A new guide to a stress-free Christmas holidays has been launched by the Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership (YMCTP). Alongside survival tips for the big day are ideas to help lower anxiety levels during December, including non-commercial Christmas shopping and presents, and ways to find some serenity and even get a bit silly during the Christmas season.

“We wanted to look at all the areas which are typically stressful for people at Christmas time, and offer a different, more relaxed approach,” says David Shields, Operations and Development Director of YMCTP. “It’s about looking for alternatives – whether that’s for food, shopping, or what you do on and around the day itself.”

For a change from dry turkey this year, the guide has suggestions of everything from Aberdeen Angus to Wapiti and where to source them. And for Christmas Hamper ideas or Boxing Day treats there are plenty of ideas, including award winning brown bread ice cream from Ryeburns or handmade pickles for the larder.

For an alternative approach to Christmas shopping, the guide shows the way to leave the crowds behind and head for peaceful market towns in search of independent shops stocking unusual and thoughtful gifts.

And, for those whose idea of a good Christmas is to leave it behind altogether there are ideas for getting away from it all, as well as information about some slightly off beat ways to enjoy the season.

The guide can be found on Yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/Christmas.