ADHD and Christmas (Part 2) ’Twas the Night Before an ADHD Christmas: 5 Tips to Stay Calm, Spend Smart and Wrap Up the Year

By Michael Ross, ADHD Coach

A Story We Know Too Well

It’s mid-December. You’re halfway through wrapping. You’ve lost the tape again. You’ve bought the same gift twice. You’ve written zero cards, and someone just mentioned it’s Secret Santa tomorrow. Sound familiar?

Welcome to the wonderfully wobbly world of ADHD at Christmas. High hopes, full hearts, forgotten receipts.

To lighten the mood, here’s a poem by Rick Green of TotallyADD.com. It captures the chaos beautifully. And after that? Some real, practical tips to help you survive (and maybe even enjoy) the next two weeks.

‘Twas the Night Before an ADHD Christmas

By Rick Green, TotallyADD.com

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
I’d lost the gift wrap, the tags and the tape (and probably the mouse).
The stockings were hung, though I’m not sure why,
I’d forgotten the stuff that goes in them, oh my!

I meant to bake cookies, I meant to write cards,
I meant to do everything (but misplaced the yards).
There’s paper and scissors and ribbons and bows,
But I bought them last week, and heaven knows
Where I stashed them, or if I even still own
The things I was sure were just under that cone.

I made a great list, but where did it go?
I had it this morning (or yesterday, no?).
There’s tape in the kitchen, or maybe the car,
The tags might be somewhere, but so very far.

I started with energy, joy and good cheer…
But now I’m just wondering what happened this year.

So here’s to the brains that zigzag and zoom.
The wrapping may fail, but there’s love in the room.

(Originally published on TotallyADD.com)

Why This Feels So Familiar

The poem is funny, but it lands because it’s real. ADHD brains struggle with the exact things Christmas throws at us:

• Too many decisions
• Broken routines
• Sensory overload
• Deadlines, pressure, and guilt

Add in festive spending, cards, social plans and finishing work, and it’s no wonder things feel like a runaway sleigh.

But there are ways to steady the reindeer. Here are some tips that actually work, based on how ADHD brains function best.

1. Finish the Year Strong(ish)

You’re not quite off the hook yet. But motivation is thin, everyone else seems to have clocked off, and your focus is somewhere under the Quality Street.

Try this:

• Make a “Must Finish” list: 3 to 5 things that matter. Not your entire backlog.
• Shrink the goal: Don’t “finish the project”. Spend 20 minutes on one part.
• Use short sprints: 25 minutes of work, 5-minute breaks. Two cycles is still a win.
• End the day with closure: Write a note for tomorrow, tick one thing off, then shut the laptop.

You’re aiming for calm closure, not heroic productivity.

2. Budget Before You Buy

Impulse spending is a classic ADHD trap. Feel-good music, bright displays, and guilt gifts can empty your account before you’ve finished the list.

Start here:

• Set a total budget first: What can you afford or feel comfortable spending overall?
• List who you want to buy for: Then assign a budget next to each person.
• Add it up: If it’s too much, reduce amounts or adjust the list. Homemade or shared gifts are still lovely.

You’re not mean for setting limits. You’re being smart. January You will thank you.

If you’re doing your shopping in Tesco, plan ahead using the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app. Add everything you need to your shopping list in the app. Then, in participating stores, you can use the “Scan as You Shop” handheld device. It lets you scan items as you go, guides you around the shop by aisle, and keeps a running total of your spending. It can help you stay focused, stick to your budget, and avoid surprise totals at the till. Just remember, not all stores offer this, so check ahead.

3. Make a Gift List You Can See

That amazing plan you made in your head? Gone. ADHD brains need visual cues and simple systems.

Try:

• One sheet or app with names, gift ideas and checkboxes
• Stick it somewhere visible
• Use it while wrapping to avoid double-buying or missing someone

Bonus: give your list a dopamine-boosting name. “Mission Festive Magic” works better than “Shopping List v3”.

4. Rethink the Cards

Christmas card guilt is real. You start with 50. Write three. Lose the list. Beat yourself up.

Here’s permission to skip them.

Instead:

• Send three thoughtful messages or voice notes
• Write cards for people you want to, not everyone you’ve ever met
• Do a New Year message instead

Connection matters. The format doesn’t.

5. Give Yourself Credit

You’re not just surviving. You’re showing up. You’re trying. You’re adapting. And that matters.

Take five minutes to list:

• One thing you’re proud of this year
• One challenge you handled (even messily)
• One time you kept going when it would’ve been easier to give up

This is how we shift self-talk from “I’m a mess” to “I’m doing my best.”

Bonus Tip: Protect Your Senses in Busy Spaces

Shopping malls and supermarkets at Christmas are sensory minefields. The noise, lights, and crowds can be overwhelming. Some people find it helpful to use ear defenders or noise-cancelling headphones to reduce audio overload and stay calm. You’re allowed to do what helps you feel safe and settled.

Final Thought

This Christmas, you’re allowed to do things differently. You can spend less, say no, leave cards unsent, and still be loving and generous.

You don’t need to finish the year perfectly. Just kindly.

And if you want support building routines, systems and beliefs that work with your ADHD brain year-round, let’s talk.

Click here to book a discovery call, and find out what’s possible.

See here for ADHD Imposter Syndrome: 7 Ways to Turn Self-Doubt into Strength.