Christmas: same time, same place, nothing new. And yet, somehow, we never see it coming and get all worked up, waking at 4 am (oh, all right, 9.30 am), heart-pounding and pulse racing, with all sorts of last-minute considerations such as: ‘Bread sauce. What’s that all about?’

But need it be this way? It need not. Here are 12 stress-busting tips which, if followed to the letter, should help you get through the next few weeks with a Zen-like calm that will irritate the hell out of everyone around you.

You might be one of the millions upon millions of people who enjoy a cup of morning coffee every day to start things off right. You may also need the mid-morning pick-me-up brew, or a coffee break with co-workers before, during or after lunch, or any other time during the day. Maybe you even enjoy a smooth cup of decaf in the evening after the long day is finished. Whether your coffee habit constitutes one drink a day or several, you are not alone in a routine that so many people find not only enjoyable but necessary to get through the day.

What’s your favourite coffee roast? Dark? Light? Somewhere in between? Here’s a “coffee 101” guide to coffee roasts from light to dark.

The degree to which coffee beans are roasted is one of the most important factors that determine the taste of the coffee in the cup. Before roasting, green coffee beans are soft, with a fresh “grassy” smell and little or no taste. The coffee roasting process transforms these raw beans into the distinctively aromatic, flavorful, crunchy beans that we recognize as coffee.

Coffee is good for more than just waking you up in the morning!  Take a look at this list and find the perfect recycling tips and tricks so you can enjoy your coffee again – even after you’ve finished enjoying your morning cup of Joe!