by wes

I sat down this week to plan something truly unfamiliar. Not work. Not a campaign. Not a deadline. The holiday season.

Immediately my brain short-circuited.

How many bottles of wine do you need for six people? Is six people actually six people or is it secretly ten once partners, cousins and that one friend who “just pops in” arrive? Who do I really need to buy Christmas gifts for? And who can I safely downgrade to a heartfelt WhatsApp? What are we doing for New Year’s? Where are we going for lunch? Who is booking it? Why does everyone assume it’s me?

Honestly, these are the kind of problems I like to have.

Then come the big family lunches. Too much food, not enough chairs, and at least one uncle who has decided that this is the year. The economy is about to collapse. Property prices will tank. Absolutely tank. Don’t buy. Hold off. Wait for the crash.

Same speech. Fifth Christmas in a row.

And because we are Australian, and it is basically a national pastime, the conversation inevitably turns to property. Who bought what. Who overpaid. Who is secretly a genius. Investment properties are dissected between mouthfuls of roast potatoes with the confidence of people who last checked the market sometime before streaming existed.

Here’s my take. The holidays are actually a great time to pause. Not panic. Not spiral. Just pause.

If you are thinking about buying, whether it’s a city apartment, a coastal bolt-hole, or a house that can survive Christmas lunch without emotional damage, use the downtime well. Pour a drink. Sit on the couch. Scroll listings without pressure. See what’s actually out there. See what good value looks like. See what excites you and what absolutely does not.

Property decisions are a lot like holiday planning. The loudest voice at the table is rarely the one you should listen to. And waiting forever for the “perfect time” usually means missing the time that was perfectly fine.

So have a great Christmas. Enjoy the family. Don’t get too worked up about strange conspiracy theories served alongside gravy. Spend the day how you like best, with people you enjoy, doing things that make you feel good.

I’ll be around this season if you need anything or want a quiet, no-pressure chat during the downtime.