Christmas is lovely in theory. In reality, it’s a zillion things at once: family stress, work deadlines and a to-do list that keeps growing in what feels like an ever-shorter month.
There’s the annual family diplomacy. The teenager who wants ‘stuff’ but can’t be more specific. The meet-up you agreed to back in October when you were a different, more energetic person. The cards you definitely meant to send by now. And the creeping fear you’ve forgotten something important, but you’ve no clue what.
So I’ve been handing some of the chaos to AI. It won't solve family politics, or the bit where someone asks what you’re doing with your life. But the impossible gift list, the relentless admin and the mental load of keeping everyone happy is just about manageable with help.
Sorting last-minute gifts
When I first asked ChatGPT for present ideas back in 2022, soon after the chatbot landed, it suggested candles, chocolates and vouchers. Spectacularly uninspiring.
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But I’ve learnt that you need to be really specific when you’re struggling for inspiration. The more detail you give your chatbot about the person’s personality, their hobbies and what they already have, the more useful the suggestions.
So instead of typing, say, “gift ideas for my elderly dad”, give it more to work with.
For example: “My dad’s in his 70s, lives alone, loves cricket and history documentaries, already has too many books. Budget £40. What might he actually enjoy?”
If you know what you’re after, try ChatGPT’s new ‘Shopping research’ tool (click the ‘+’ in the chat bar and scroll down to find it). A friend’s daughter asked for a mini wireless projector. ChatGPT duly asked her budget and found options, saving her baffled scrolling.
Chatbots don’t know the people you love like you do, but they’re a great starting point when you’re stuck.
Planning ahead
December isn’t just Christmas. It often feels like dozens of competing demands that can’t seem to wait until January.
For the bigger picture, try: “I need to get through the next few weeks. Ask me what’s actually happening, then help me work out what needs doing when.”
It‘ll ask about work deadlines, personal commitments, who‘s visiting and what can actually wait. You‘ll get a clear timeline with priorities, capacity checks and a weekly plan.
For Christmas Day itself, you could tell your chatbot the numbers, dietary requirements and what time you want to eat. If there‘s a child who hates Brussels sprouts with surprising intensity, add this too and you‘ll get a prep plan, timings, so you’re not eating turkey at 9pm, and a shopping list.
Borrowing some diplomacy
When declining invitations to parties you’re too tired to attend, and chasing that one person who still hasn't confirmed whether they’re coming, it’s easy to lose your rag, or say yes to things you’ll regret.
You could hand over the awkward bits to AI: “You’re a diplomatic friend helping me write a kind but clear message. I need to tell my neighbour I can‘t make their Christmas drinks because I‘m genuinely exhausted and have so many other things that week.”
The trick is treating it as a drafting partner, not a ghostwriter. It gives you the shape of what to say, then you add your personal touch. It’s often simpler to edit something than stare at a blank screen when you’re already frazzled.
Clearing your mental clutter
Hit the microphone icon (you’ll find it by clicking the ‘+’ button in the chat bar) and just talk. Brain dump everything rattling around your head: presents still to buy, cards to write, relatives to see, work to finish, the tree that still isn’t up, the MOT’s overdue and the name of that friend whose birthday you nearly forgot falls in December.
Speaking reveals details that typing strips out. Just saying it all out loud can free up the brain space to work out what actually matters.
Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m stressed about.
I just ramble at ChatGPT for two minutes, then ask: “What am I actually worried about here?” It reflects back something I hadn’t consciously realised.
I did that this last week, asking ChatGPT to help me think clearly. It sorted everything into three things that genuinely mattered, four that could wait and two I should probably just apologise for and do in January.
One useful tweak
Chatbots are designed to keep you hooked. They’ll offer more suggestions, ask follow-up questions and keep the conversation going. This can be annoying when you need a speedy solution.
So, try adding a line to your chatbot’s settings (click your profile icon, then ‘Customise’), such as: “Keep suggestions short and actionable. Don’t ask follow-up questions unless I ask.’ This also keeps you in charge of the conversation.
December will, of course, still be December. But, with the mental load a bit lighter, there’s more room for the sparkly good bits. I'm calling that a win.
Harriet Meyer has spent more than 20 years writing about personal finance before becoming somewhat obsessed with artificial intelligence.
Illustration by Charlotte Durance