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Yes, the holidays can be stressful but it doesn’t mean your sexy life should suffer. Ho ho ho no! You can easily perk your spirits, and libido, with these tasty and creative cocktails created with aphrodisiac ingredients. So drink up and be merry!

Chocolate Truffle Coffee

Pomegranate Christmas Cocktail

Hot Chocolate Shot

Bananas and Milk

Adult Vanilla Milkshake

Blend the liquid ingredients into the blender. If you want the shake thicker, add more ice cream. Pour the mixture into two glasses and top with fresh whipped cream. You can even dust some cocoa powder if you wish.

We hope you try out these special aphrodisiac drink recipes this Xmas season! What’s drink does the job for you? Comment and let us know!

Procrastination. The scourge of the Christmas shopper. We all do it year after year. We wait until the last minute to do our Christmas shopping. I’m sure you’ve experienced the following scenario before. You keep telling yourself you have time to get your shopping done until you it's Christmas eve and you've got nada, niets, zilch, zip, squadoosh!

Then the frenzy ensues and you are among the psychotic mob of people who have come to complete their last minute Christmas shopping or risk spending the new year divorced and alone. But there is hope.

Break the cycle! Here are some tips to stay ahead of the crowds and stress and be ahead of your Christmas shopping.

Shop online.

It may not to the end all be all answer to your Christmas shopping, but it does help get rid of a large chunk of your shopping all at once. There are so many benefits to shopping online, especially during the holiday season. Many websites offer free expedited shipping, discounts, and even exclusive items you may not be able to find in store. Plus you can even get them gift-wrapped!

Start shopping the year before.

Usually the next day after Christmas, stores will have massive sales to get rid of their inventory. Why not start your Christmas shopping then? You’ll be likely to find some great steals and bargains that are too good to pass up. Like that ugly Christmas sweater that would be a great fit for your quirky uncle!

Budget.

If financial woes plague you year to year, change up your pattern and figure out a budget. Set a certain amount of money for each person you need to shop for and don’t go over that limit. If you really want to get technical, you can even set aside a certain amount of money per paycheck for your Christmas shopping. Put the money away and don’t look at it until you need it to shop. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save by doing this.

Get creative. 

Let’s say that even with your budget, you still are running out of gift ideas for people. Instead of giving something they really don’t need, want, or have a use for, get creative and make something for them. There are plenty of crafting ideas that can be found online. Usually crafting materials are inexpensive and can be found all year round. Not only will this get your creative juices flowing, it also expresses to the person how much they mean to you. If you aren’t good with crafts, baking is another option. Who turns down delicious treats?

Get people what they want.

If your family or friends want gift cards to their favourite stores or restaurants, get it for them. They will appreciate you listened to what they wanted and it’s definitely less of a headache for you. Plus, gift cards eliminate the need for gift receipts and return headaches. While they may not be the “ideal” Christmas present, it’s the thought that counts.

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a headache every year. With some planning, budgeting, and creativity you won’t need to deal with a massive shopping headache!

We all say that we’re not going to try and not overeat during Christmas but the next thing you know, your pants are fitting a bit too snug and your ugly sweaters a bit too tight. While the holiday season may be a great way to bond, socialise, and spread good cheer, it doesn’t leave us unscathed in the weight department. We know you don’t want to gain any unnecessary weight but we also know you want to enjoy yourself as well. So here is 6 tips on how to avoid overeating during the holiday season.

Plan ahead.

If you know that you’re going to be eating a big meal or dinner later on in the day, don’t starve yourself. This is how you gorge. You wait all day for this glorious meal and then eat too much. Instead make sure to eat nutrient dense meals that a lighter than usual. You can pace these meals out so you aren’t feeling hungry.

Don’t schedule events back to back.

One way to pack on the calories is to go from party to party and eating large meals. If you know you’re going to be tempted to overeat, don’t double book. Plus, I don’t know about you but I’m definitely not comfortable going to another place after I’m stuffed.

Wait before refilling your plate.

Sometimes we get ahead of our own bodies and eat more than we ought to. I know you love Grandma’s famous whipped potatoes but you should wait at least 20 minutes before deciding you want more. So take your time and savor each bite. Take mini breaks in between and talk to your friends and family. By the time you’re done with your first plate you’ll realize that you’re already pretty full.

Choose what you want to splurge on.

If you’re currently sticking to your diet, don’t deprive yourself. You can enjoy moderate samplings of some of your favorite things. Just don’t overdo it. Think about the quality of the food before you go to town on it. For example, there’s a difference between homemade fudge from your favorite cousin and store bought packaged sugar cookies filled with processed ingredients.

Don’t stick around the food.

If the party you’re at as a buffet bar or platters of hors d’oeuvres, make yourself a small plate and then move away from the station. We don’t realize how many calories we can consume through mindless nibbling from those little platters. You should also choose healthier options they have available. So pick one or two things that really interest you and then load your plate with veggies or some kind of lean protein that will help keep you fuller, longer.

Don’t load up on the booze.

There are hundreds of hidden calories in mixed drinks. Enjoy one glass of your favourite sugary beverage and then stick with water after.

It’s not easy to not overeat during the holidays but it can be done. Just be diligent with what you eat and when you eat it. Your body and your pants will be thanking you no end come January.

WINTER IS COMING!!!! And if you just want to get away for it, why not book a Christmas holiday and give yourself a little bit of rest and relaxation? For those of us who live in the... shittier climates... sometimes a change of scenery during the dark season is just the ticket to ward off those winter blues.

If you are, in the words of Harry Nilsson,

Going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes

Then grab your favourite Christmas shirt and check out some of the best sun holidays money can buy. Your holiday doesn’t have to be expensive either. Here are some of the best warm and sunny places to be during Christmas.

The Caribbean.

You can book yourself a fantastic deal at a resort in the Caribbean. Often times the rates are lower to entice more people to come, especially during the holiday season. Not only will you be booking at a lower price, the trip itself will be financially reasonable since many resorts are usually all-inclusive.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Another beautiful tropical destination, Punta Cana has all you want in their majestic and luxurious all-inclusive resorts. Plus the beaches for these resorts are much more secluded and quieter since only resort members are allowed on sight. The best time to book your trip is in November when prices drop on average $100 per night.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Known to be a popular tourist attraction, this is a great place to spend your holidays. The resorts are considered authentic and also very safe, making it ideal for families to go. The weather is perfect during Christmas time and even chain hotels have reduced prices compared to peak times.

Montego Bay, Jamaica.

This island has weather similar to that of Mexico during the holiday season which makes it another ideal candidate for a holiday vacation. Montego Bay is not only beautiful, but it is also where the main airport is, which makes it a better option if you want to stay close. It’s best to look for resort package deal early since they do sell fast because of low prices.

Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

Another place known for its resort life. Located along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, you are bound to enjoy beautiful sunny weather even in later December or early January. Tamarindo is a great tourist place filled with culture and history in the Guanacaste province. You also have volcanos and national parks you can visit as well to take in the entire beauty of the place.

Caye Caulker, Belize.

Not as tourist friendly but much quieter. This is a great place to go if you want to snorkeling or spend long hours on the beautiful sandy beaches. This place is a little pricier compared to some of the other locations listed. Many resorts start at about $200 a night.

Sometimes you just want to take a break for the holidays. Why not book a vacation with your family (or solo) and take a break from the norm and experience the festive season from a different cultural perspective? All your friends will be green with envy from the great tan you got laying on those beautiful beaches.

Whatever it is you decide, remember to do Baz Luhrmann proud and... pack your feckin' sunscreen!