Regardless of how you feel about it, Christmas is upon us, and I for one, love absolutely everything about it. The store decorations have been up for ages, the carols are playing, and all the retailers are having Christmas Sales – I always thought they were only after Christmas ! Take advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this weekend too.
So often Christmas is more of a chore than a pleasure and when the day finally arrives, all you want is, for it to be over – but not this year, you will be super organised.
This is week one of our Christmas Countdown Planner – nothing too complicated, but it will give you a check-list to work from, which should have you organised on time, to enjoy the day without the stress, because it is supposed to be fun, right!
This will be one of the busiest weeks, print off this list, and put it where you can see it, or download it to your Smartphone.
- Take a good look at your calendar, marking all those fabulous parties you’ve been invited to, and the ones you are planning to give. Don’t forget the school concerts, recitals, work parties, and all the other end-of-year celebrations
- Order your Turkey, Ham or Pork from your local supplier, for collection or delivery on 22nd or 23rd December.
- If you are planning to have a large number of guests on Christmas Day, make it easy, order plates, cutlery, glasses and even table linen from your local Hirer. Put your order in this week.
- Gift shopping is probably the one thing that bugs everyone the most, so make a list now. Keep it handy in your bag, or on one of the many shop-smart apps on your smartphone, and try and get a lot of it out of the way this week. Think about buying multiples of the same gifts for friends. Shop on-line, it’s a real time-saver, but make sure you allow plenty of time for delivery.
- Don’t forget all those small presents for neighbours, teachers, gardeners etc. and Hostess Gifts to take to all those fabulous parties you will be attending.
- If you have stashed a few pressies away during the year. Get them out now. Seriously, I have had many a ‘lost gift’ over the years, hidden in the house……..only to find it long after Christmas.
- I’m not a wrap-as-you-buy girl, but it certainly has merit. I definitely prefer to do the wrapping the week before Christmas and make a ‘thing’ of it – carols playing, mince pies and a glass or two of bubbly.
- Set up a Gift Wrapping Station and put all your supplies in one place – saves a huge amount of time. It could just be a big plastic lidded box, or a whole bench space. Maybe have a ‘signature wrapping style’ this year to streamline the process.
- Action the Christmas card list whether it’s ‘snail mail’ or email. Paperless Post has a divine selection of cards and invitations.
- Post any overseas cards or parcels this week, airmail to the US and UK takes 7 – 10 days, but it’s recommended to allow extra time this year with deliveries slower than usual.
- If you haven’t baked the cakes and puddings get cracking. Click on these two links, for the recipes. If all else fails, just buy them.
- Treat yourself, and book some cleaners to give the house a thorough overhaul in the lead-up to Christmas.
- Another treat for you. Make all your beauty salon and hair appointments now, so you will look fabulous for all those parties.
Here are the quick links to the other articles in this series:
Week 3
Week 2
Week 1
3 Sleeps to Go
