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Most of us find Christmas more stressful than a burglary: Follow these 15 ways to seize back the season and do it YOUR way

Sponsored by House Of Fraser

Published: 18:59 EST, 17 November 2015 | Updated: 09:47 EST, 19 November 2015

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Christmas is meant to be a joyous time with family and friends, but all too often the stress overtakes the fun as we rush to make sure everything's perfect.

Nearly half of Brits (44 per cent) find Christmas the most stressful time of the year, according to a survey by Doddle, which isn't surprising given the cost, catering and family pressures of the festive season.

But it doesn't have to be that way! Make like A listers Kendall and Kylie Jenner and throw yourself into the spirit of the season by following these 15 tips to make this Christmas the most wonderful one yet.

You'll be able to enjoy Christmas as much as Kendall and Kylie Jenner if you get yourself organised now!

1. Prepare early – buy things as you go along in the weeks leading up to the big day

The earlier you start, the better: you'll find nicer items for your loved ones before the Christmas panic sets in, you'll spread the cost instead of splurging in one big go, and you'll feel wonderfully smug in that dreaded final week when everyone else is buying rubbish last-minute gifts.

House Of Fraser is a great destination for those early little gifts that will make wonderful stocking fillers, like a super-handy washbag for stylish jet-set ladies, a classic printed tie for a suave gent in your life, or a sweet teddy bear for someone young (or old!) who deserves a cuddly treat.

2. Shun the office party… and throw your own!

The annual office party can go one of two ways: you'll end up too drunk from misguided quantities of free prosecco, unable to focus at your desk the next day, or you'll be stuck making small talk with Graham from accounts until dawn.

Go for golden glamour this Christmas! Shun the office 'do and host your own swish dinner party - this Biba Peacock (left) and Starburst dinnerwear (right) is the perfect way to inject glamour into your lavish event (prices from £8 - £134.40)

Why not throw your own swish dinner party at home, inviting only your most treasured colleagues and those from your close circle of friends? House Of Fraser has everything you need to conduct a super chic and stylish Christmas meal, including this delectable golden dinner set, a sociable sharing platter and glitzy placemats. And these glowing twig lights are ideal for elegant low-lighting at your soiree.

3. Say baubles to the traditional Christmas look and dabble in directional décor

The traditional Christmas look is SO overdone: it's time to break the mould! Add your personality to your home decorations this year. Why not try pearly shades and glittery pink as a cool winter wonderland theme? Try these eye-catching pearlescent pink and white baubles for a prettier Christmas tree, matched with complementing winter wonderland-inspired tinsel.

Or how about a cosy, rustic log cabin feel? Whisk yourself to the slopes of Switzerland and get comfortable in a warm, luxe setting, filled with faux fur and natural textures. Hang these wooden snowflakes on the tree instead of shiny baubles to complete the look, and snuggle down under this cosy fluffy throw.

Baubles to the traditional Christmas decorations - why not try a warm, rustic log cabin theme (left), or a winter wonderland medley of pearly whites and pale pinks (right) as imagined by House Of Fraser

Do it your way: Christmas doesn't always have to be about the traditional red and green tinsel - you and your family and friends can have lots of fun doing things to your own tastes this year to relieve stress

4. Take a break from turkey – cook something else for Christmas day

Being shackled to that big old bird is a sure-fire way to get frazzled. Don't throw a turkey tantrum: go off piste with your dinner table centrepiece to create a meal that's really memorable.

Why not try a honey roasted duck with all the regular trimmings, or a pre-made bird in a bird in a bird? Many top supermarkets and local butchers will create these magnificent masterpieces for you.

Or if you want to go leftfield, try a whole salmon cooked en papillote or a stunning vegetarian wellington stuffed with seasonal goodies like squash, spinach and kale. You'll still get that Christmas dinner feeling, and without being forced to eat dry turkey sandwiches for days after.

Don't be shackled to that big old turkey this Christmas... break the cookery mould and try out a festive honey roasted duck with all the trimmings (above), or maybe a vegetarian wellington

5. Don't be afraid to ask for what YOU want: reduce stress for others!

We're all so terribly British, year after year pretending that an owl-print diary IS fantastic, that the frilly puce pink scarf from Auntie Jan is actually what we really, really wanted. (Although this Ted Baker scarf is one you'll actually like!) You work on hard on getting perfect presents for everyone else, so go ahead and tell people what you fancy. They'll be thankful for it, not least because it saves them the hassle of having to come up with something to keep you happy.

Get a forever-bag on your list, like this pink Michael Kors tote, or if you want to go a bit more low-key, ask Santa for these toe-warming slippers.

Avoid the horrible hangover this December by swapping your boozy beverages for alcohol-free drinks as often as possible

6. Cut back on the booze this party season and feel seriously smug instead of horrendously hungover…

Christmas – the weeks leading up to it and that weird in-between week before the New Year – is no doubt one of the most alcohol-fuelled times of the year. The NHS advises that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day, and for women the number is 2-3.

Over Christmas it's easy to fall into the trap of drinking excessively as party season gets underway, but it can elevate stress levels, and nobody is calm and collected on a head-cracking hangover. While cutting out booze altogether isn't necessary (or fun), it always helps to swap some of those overfilled glasses of sugary mulled wine for an alcohol-free drink, like a mulled apple juice or a virgin cocktail.

Find out more about cutting down on drink on the NHS website.

7. Ban the Christmas music!

Come the first week of December you'll be well and truly done with Jingle Bells and we all know what Mariah Carey wants for Christmas. So, in your own home have a cheesy Christmas tunes embargo. And on the day itself? Create your own playlist of mood-elevating tunes you might usually listen to in the summer and see how your stress levels lessen, not least because you won't be having to listen to tinkling bells, oversized choirs and fusty old hits from the days of Christmas past.

8. Buy for your man… with yourself in mind

Buying for the man in your life can be tricky – what DO they really want?

Make it easy on yourself this year and treat yourself when you treat him. There's a real trend for ladies wearing menswear this season, so buy him something that you can both get use out of. A crisp white shirt is a winner for everybody – why not try this Oxford shirt from House Of Fraser. FROW regular Camille Charriere champions the idea of unfastening a few buttons to show a little skin, while style blogger Susie Bubble suggests: 'The baggier, the boxier, the better' when it comes to nicking men's clothes.

Other manly buys for the special gent in your life (that will work well on you when you get a chance to raid his side of the closet) include this on-trend denim jacket with a shearling collar, and this timeless timepiece.

Find out more about how to steal your clothes from the boys and work their togs in your way with tips from Susie Bubble and Camille Charriere, here.

Make it easy on yourself when buying for your man this year - get him things you'll be able to wear later, but in your own special way, like the Levi's trucker jacket (left, £95) or this classic white Oxford shirt (right, £80)

Stretch your stresses away - it's tough fitting in a healthy fitness and eating plan into the busy Christmas period, but managing just 10 or 20 minutes of exercise a day will do wonders for your mood

9. Keep fit and healthy over the season

Everyone knows that regular exercise keeps you happy, and eating a balanced diet keeps your body ticking over, no matter how stressed you are. But in between shopping late after work, the ongoing social engagements and scoffing mince pies, eating right and getting a sweat on is the last thing you want to do.

However, it's necessary to keep your stress levels down and the happy hormones elevated - a little bit of exercise and healthy eating will help give you a stress-free Christmas. Do a quick 20 minute workout whenever you get a chance, or just 10 minutes if you can in the mornings, and eat as much seasonal fruit and veg as you can in every meal. Apart from when nothing but a Christmas sandwich will do.

10. Step outside on Christmas day for some fresh air… wrapped up in luxe textures

Many of us stay holed up inside on the day, feeding ourselves senselessly and arguing over who is going to get the last 'good' Quality Street. Why not take a break from this 'lock-in' tradition and take yourself and your family out for a brisk walk, get the blood pumping and burn a few calories before your next delicious meal.

And if you're worried about being cold, don't! House of Fraser has ways to keep you warm and toasty while looking glamorous and cosily elegant, such as this of-the-moment faux fur stole and this envy-inducing leather jacket. Kids can keep cosy and will love this girly colourful scarf, while and boys can stay cool while staying warm in this thermal jacket.

Wrap up warm against the winter chill when you take a much-needed jaunt out of the house on Christmas day. This luxe Label Lab Leather Biker Jacket (left, £199) is a classic winter warmer, while the on-trend Helen Moore Tippet Faux Fur Scarf (right, £35) is a cosy style staple

11. Avoid the family rows

It's inevitable that there will be some butting of heads over Christmas: you're with your loved ones in close proximity and for longer periods of time than is normal. Dr Jo Livingstone, a lead psychologist at AXA PPP healthcare explains: 'It's natural not to get on with absolutely everybody, and sometimes there can be friction between family members. Additionally, if they are coming to stay it can feel like an invasion of your personal space, making you feel uncomfortable.'

But there are key ways to side-step the rows that can leave you feeling stressed. Dr Livingstone suggests a few ways to eliminate the family stress at Christmas. 'Set boundaries: if you have family members staying with you, it can feel like your world has been invaded. Try to keep a room for yourself, so if you're starting to feel overwhelmed, escape there, take deep breaths and calm down, ready to step back out calm and collected,' she advises.

She also suggests speaking to people in as friendly a manner as you can, no matter how much they may rile you, and sometimes a frank and honest conversation to clear the air before it all kicks off is the safest way to avoid the drama.

Glitzy, glittery glamour is key: don't stick to your favourite LBD this season, try some stand-out dresses to boost your Christmas confidence. The Adrianna Papell Cap Sleeve All Over Sequin Dress (left, £189) is a real statement, while the Biba Fully Sequin Knee Length Column Dress (right, £135) is a timeless sparkler

Make like Rita Ora and shun a dress this year - why not opt for a chic tuxedo jacket and trousers for the party season?

12. Go for glamour this season: don't fall back on boring, well-worn favourites

Don't dig out that faithful yet well-worn LBD this Christmas, as much as it comforts you. Now is the time to shun the staples and go all-out with glitz and glamour because, if you can't do it at Christmas, when can you? Glitter is a festive favourite but many people shy away from it because they fear it's too much. Do it right, however, and you can turn heads for all the right reasons. If you want to make a real impact, go for this stunning glittering gown or this leg-baring and confidence-boosting sparkling mini dress.

If you're less inclined to wear a dress, what about a slick yet feminine tuxedo for the party season? The androgynous staple - as seen on the likes of Rita Ora - is flattering on every shape and is a sure-fire way to get you noticed under the mistletoe. This embellished tuxedo jacket needs nothing but a pair of slim-fitting black trousers and heels, and you're good to go.

13. Fall in love with luxurious loungewear

It can't have escaped you that loungewear, PJs and casual at-home togs are becoming more of a 'thing'. On Christmas day, or at least on Boxing Day when nothing else fits after your food blowout, chill out in your most snuggly items with your family: make-up off, hair tied back, fluffy slippers on.

This wrapover PJ top is an elegant way to dress down if you're that way inclined while these fleecy bottoms will keep you so warm and comfortable, you'll never want to take them off. Pass the chocolates!

14. Ta-ta Twitter! Take a social media ban

It's commonplace these days to share every moment of your special days on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. But the stress of having to create the 'perfect' moment to share online often means your happiness is forgotten as you craft an image or a status to create maximum life envy from people who don't matter.

Take a stand and ban social media – if not throughout the period, at least on Christmas day itself. Be with your friends and family, spend time with your loved ones in the present and create memories for the mind, not the timeline.

Pamper yourself whenever you can - it's important you take time out for yourself amid the festive antics. This delightful Luxury Hotel Collection Fig Noir Candle (£10) will transport you away for a while

And... relax! Hop in the tub, put on some music that isn't Christmas-themed and sail away...

15. Make some 'me time' whenever you can: you've earned it!

It's incredibly easy to get distracted over Christmas, and go with the flow making other people happy, buying gifts, wrapping pigs in blankets and watching the kids in the school nativity. Make sure to take some time out - even just half an hour - for yourself to decompress and relax.

Sink into a bath and feel overcome with autumnal fragrances with a splash of Jo Malone bath oil. Let yourself float away in the tub, and then snuggle down in this pure white waffle robe and pretend you're in a hotel somewhere far, far away.

Use the soothing scents of this fig candle to help you escape… until it's all go once again with the festive frolics!