A Light-Hearted Guide on How to Switch Off Over Christmas

For many professionals, “switching off” over Christmas sounds wonderful in theory and slightly terrifying in practice. Emails multiply, deadlines linger, and there’s always the quiet fear that everything will grind to a halt the moment you step away.

The good news? Most things won’t. And the ones that do can usually wait until January.

Start by setting expectations. A clear out-of-office message is not an act of rebellion. It’s a public service announcement. Let people know when you’ll be back and who to contact if something genuinely can’t wait. (Hint: if it survived all year, it can survive a few days.)

Tidy the loose ends, not the universe. You don’t need to fix everything before Christmas. Focus on what actually matters, document what doesn’t, and leave a short handover note. Future-you will be grateful.

Resist the ‘just checking’ reflex. Checking emails “just in case” is how holidays quietly turn into remote working. If something is truly urgent, it will find another way to reach you.

Remember why you’re switching off. Rest isn’t a reward for finishing everything—it’s what keeps systems, businesses, and people functioning properly in the long run.

So this Christmas, give yourself permission to log off, step away, and recharge. January will arrive whether you’re ready or not. You might as well meet it rested.

And when you’re ready to start planning events in the new year, Function Fixers can take the pressure off. We help organisations find the right venues for meetings, conferences, and events—saving you time, avoiding last-minute stress, and making sure things run smoothly from the very start. One less thing to juggle, just when you need it most.

Happy Christmas 🎄