It’s December. You’re wrapping presents, RSVP-ing to four different Christmas lunches and convincing yourself pavlova counts as a balanced breakfast. Money is flying everywhere - gifts, flights, cocktails, Uber rides - but when it comes to booking a check-up or using the last of your health cover before it resets? Suddenly… silence.
We’ll drop $80 on a novelty tree skirt but won’t book a $110 dental clean. Why are we like this?
The Festive Spending Frenzy (Featuring Selective Priorities)
December is the month where budgets vanish, calendars explode and your brain quietly whispers, “It’s fine, it’s Christmas.”
And yet:
|
Spend |
No Questions Asked |
Major Internal Debate |
|
$25 Christmas candle that smells like “Sugar Plum Fairy” |
✅ |
|
|
$40 platter of cheese you’ll forget in the fridge |
✅ |
|
|
$23 cocktail in a jar with rosemary in it |
✅ |
|
|
$18 Uber for a 7-minute trip |
✅ |
|
|
$110 dental check-up |
😬 “Maybe in January…” |
|
|
Booking a physio for that shoulder you’ve been ignoring |
“It’ll fix itself… right?” |
Why We’ll Pay for Presents But Not Prevention
Because Christmas feels urgent. Health feels optional. Because “my skin looks fine” feels easier than “I should get that mole checked.” Because future-you doesn’t get a say, and she’s somewhere in February with tooth pain and a stiff neck.
How to Be Festive and Functional (Yes, It’s Possible)
You don’t have to cancel Christmas to look after yourself… just be a tiny bit clever:
- Use what you’ve already paid for.
If you’ve got benefits left for the year (dentist, glasses, chiro, physio…), now’s your time to use them before 1 Jan rolls in and resets everything. - Book the appointment before everyone else does.
January appointments vanish faster than mini sausage rolls at Christmas lunch. - Call it a gift to your future self.
Prevention doesn’t feel exciting. Until it is.
Festive Health Hacks (For When You’re 60% Shortbread and Stress)
- Hydrate like it’s your job – Water, electrolytes, watermelon.
- Sleep – Not just 20-minute naps between parties. Actual sleep.
- Sun protection isn’t seasonal – UV doesn’t stop just because your holiday did. Keep the SPF going.
- Skin checks aren’t only for “older people” – Melanoma doesn’t care if you’re 25 or 55.
A Final Thought (Wrapped with Tinsel and Logic)
Buy the gifts. Cheers with your mates. Wear the paper crown. But also… book the check-up. Use the cover you’ve already paid for. Because presents are great - but long-term health? That’s the real reward.
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