Girls’ guide to surviving the festive season

Christmas may only come once a year but it’s so stressful you could find yourself eating anti-wrinkle cream right out of the jar.

To avoid any premature ageing this year, here are some tips for designated women drivers – from evecars.com, the UK’s only dedicated motoring website for women – on how to have a hassle-free Christmas holiday.

Don’t wear your best party shoes for driving. The soles of evening shoes are notoriously slippery – add some wet winter weather and your feet could slide right off the pedals. Stash a spare pair of comfy shoes, with grippy soles, in the car.

If you’re suffering from a bout of the seasonal sniffles, take cold/flu remedies that won’t make you drowsy at the wheel. Check the label and make alternative travel arrangements if you feel really poorly.

Don’t get caught out by a breakdown: take a thermos flask with a hot drink or some soup in it, some energy-boosting snack bars and a blanket or two, just in case.

If you get too merry at the Christmas party, don’t be tempted to drive the following morning: your blood alcohol levels will still be high, especially if you don’t get much sleep. Play it safe: take a taxi.

Avoid the seasonal traffic jams: check the bulletins before you set off, have an alternative route in mind and take a road map, just in case.

Don’t underestimate braking distances: wet, slippery roads mean your car will take longer to stop than when the weather is warm and dry. Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front, no matter how much of a hurry you’re in.

Don’t get stranded with a flat battery: make sure you turn all the lights off – internal and external – every time you park your car. If you’re not going to be driving anywhere for a while, start the car up and let the engine run for a few minutes once a week.

Take the stress out of that last-minute Christmas shopping spree: club together with a few friends and hire a chauffeur to whisk you between boutiques.

Keep some de-icer and an ice scraper in the car: there’s nothing worse than trying to claw snow and ice off a windscreen using nothing more than warm breath and fingers.

If you’re going to the family get-together, keep Christmas gifts well out of sight. Store them in the boot and, if you must stop en-route, park the car somewhere well-lit and make sure you lock it.