Q&A for How to Make Christmas Eve Go Faster

Find ways to calm yourself down. Focus on what you enjoy doing most and immerse yourself in that, such as playing a game, talking to a friend or baking some cookies. Remind yourself that all these things keep you happy for the rest of the year, so they should be able to help on this day too!

Think about what our going to do in the morning if you wake up early. Try counting sheep or making up a story in your head.

Distract yourself with music, books, or some activity. You'll be able to open them soon enough.

Find something fun and time consuming so it comes faster. Play games with your family, or go hang out with a friend.

Just anything that is fun. Try Elf or The Polar Express. Look at other Christmas movies on Netflix.

No. Don't do that. You'll feel sleepy and grumpy on Christmas day if you don't get enough sleep. Just try to pretend that it is any other normal night and stay relaxed.

Try to calm yourself down by listening to music, watching a Christmas film or reading a book. Do something that you know will calm you down and get your mind off of things.

Drink hot chocolate in a onesie watching Christmas movies. Or, have a bath with Christmas music playing in the background and Christmas rubber ducks floating about. You could also listen to female artists singing Christmas music and make your favorite compilation. Another option is to crochet/knit/sew/cross stitch something with a Christmas theme that could be worn or used as a decoration on the day. And wrap up any last minute gifts!

Don't worry. Your parents love you and they will just be happy that you made an effort.

Go to bed early and set an alarm!

Take a bath, listen to soft music, exercise. Do something that tires and bores you.

I am also an only child. I usually walk round and look at Christmas decorations in my neighborhood. I also like baking Christmas cookies and mince pies. Just do anything you enjoy doing that will distract you and pass the time.

Look forward to getting free stuff and chatting with your friends and family. Basically, look forward to having a good time on Christmas. However, you might like to also work out why you don't enjoy the day and perhaps address the reasons why -- perhaps you feel lonely (find some friends) or maybe you don't enjoy the company (single out the person or people you like most and talk most to them), etc.

Most games require you to use your brain. You're thinking about what move to make or trying to figure out some kind of puzzle, or even just using your brain to tell your fingers/thumbs what buttons to push. So your brain is stimulated instead of calm and ready for sleep.

Try to not think about it. Do other things like take a bath, read a book, or watch a Christmas movie.

Take a walk around your neighborhood to relax, or take a bath. Just try to occupy yourself as best as possible, and don't think about whatever is stressing you out.

Maybe bake some cookies and watch a Christmas movie, or look at the lights in your neighborhood.

Sure. It's a great way to pass the time while keeping on top of the housework. Plus, if you're having guests over for the holidays, you'll want your home to be presentable.

Read, write, draw, imagine what you'll get, if another sibling is awake, talk to them, etc.

You could put on a Xmas movie or music, have Xmas snacks, do crafts, make hot cocoa, play games, or even just chat.

If your parents don’t allow it, then see if you can just decorate your room. But if they don’t want to do it because it’s too much work, you could offer to do it yourself without help from them.

Be kind to yourself! Christmas can seem like such a big deal every year with all the preparations that go into it and all the anxieties of wondering if everyone will like the gifts you got them. It's okay if you're sometimes underwhelmed by Christmas. Chasing happiness or excitement will only make them flee from you: you've got to sneak up on your feelings. Do something fun that's connected to your values around the holiday, like playing a game with your family, or practicing gratitude. Try some of the strategies listed in Get-Excited-About-Life .

It's seven days from Christmas to New Year's Day. If Christmas is on a Monday, for example, New Year's Day will be on the following Monday.