Tell me your Christmas organisation tips!

[quirkycutekitch]

Will be getting a tesco slot ASAP (why didn't I think of this before)

What other tips can you wise MNrs let me in on that make it all a bit easier?

[Mojito100]

Also awaiting tips.

[Pollywallywinkles]

Lists, lists and more lists works for me. I used to have a little note book that I kept in my bag, but have moved to electronic lists.

Lists for present ideas for each person, including myself including ideas about where to buy from. Lists of what I bought and how much I spent on each person (we stick to a budget). Food and menu ideas. Food shopping list. Notes about what worked or didn't (such as only buy x amount of whatever for x amount of people).

Put any events or must do by dates in calendar. I also note when flash sales were held the previous year.

It doesn't take too much time to make or keep the lists up to date.

It makes christmas a breeze for me.

[tanya1312]

Lists , lists , lists as well a little notebook to jot ideas down, and phone app to log what presents I hot/price x

[Mrsgrumble]

I know this might not work this year for you but I always get paper and crackers in jan sales

Make address labels on your pc to save writing each year

I know someone who puts their decorated tree (covered in a sheet) in the garage each January

[scurryfunge]

Run your freezer down now and leave space for stuff you can prepare and freeze in the coming weeks.

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

I have already had my festive celebrations but will do it differently next year. Was stuck in kitchen cooking so plan to cook & freeze ahead.

Start wrapping, labelling gifts and writing cards out in advance.

If you are visiting/seeing people before xmas, you can give their gifts early to save on postage.

Plan your dinner menu & start to buy food items on offer

Sort through your decorations & lights and replace anything if needed

Book tickets for any events & pantos

Declutter your house to get ready for the new toys.

Sell any old toys & clothes and save the money for the sales!

[SteveBrucesNose]

I have a spreadsheet with huge amounts of info, including dispatch dates and delivered dates, where delivery is to (eg work, parents house, ILs house etc), hyperlinks to copies of confirmation emails and prior to ordering, websites with ideas on.

Anothe tab is bookings made, for restaurants, shows, dates of Christmas fayres and things

Another tab has my waitrose shopping list, which was created a few years back and added to/ taken off each year. Another tab with cooking times and approx timings for the day.

One additional thing for this year - I'm going to print my delia online recipes - on Christmas Eve last year someone doing roadworks accidentally hit the fibre optic cable to our estate so we had no internet for 5 hours (and my iPad SIM card wasn't getting good enough coverage, I think everyone in the estate was doing the same!!) so we nearly had all our side dishes messed up or had to Make them one the day.

My outlook calendar is full of reminders too

[Chottie]

If you are entertaining, make sure you know if anyone is veggie or has food allergies so you can plan.

Get advent calendars early, so you have a wide choice.

Put your tree and decorations up early, it gets everyone into the Christmas spirit early.

If you have a separate dining room, set the table on Christmas Eve.

[WantAnOrange]

Simplify as much as possible. I only send cards to people who I am not going to see, who live far away (so that's about 2!)

It's not about presents afterall so I have agreements with siblings/aunts/uncles that we only get gifts for the children. My kids get one main present from us each and a stocking. Plus, something for DH and a little stocking and something for the PIL. That means I can get all main presents in one big Amazon shop and then get all stocking fillers in one shopping trip, in October. Sorted.

Rather than try to fit in everything Christmassy, just do the things you really enjoy. There is only 2 weekends in December before Christmas and the kids are at school right up to the 19th so there isn't that much time to fill with pantos and visits to Santa. Just do on or 2 things that are special for you so you have less to organise and more time to really enjoy those few events.

Most of xmas dinner can be prepped and frozen ahead, or prepped all in one go on xmas eve while listening to cheesy xmas songs. This year I will be simplifying what I cook too, with a lot less. It is one roast dinner and there was so much waste after so much effort. Only make one pudding (I'll be doing sticky toffee pudding in the slow cooker).

[MERLYPUSSEDOFF]

keep a list in you bag (in code if needs be) of what you have already bought gifts wise. I do this with Lego set number so that if anyone asks I can say 'dont get them set 12345'.

[AllThatGlistens]

Definitely lists. I have a book full, and mark off every gift I've ordered and when I've received it so I can keep track. I also list where I've stashed the gifts, eg. Dh = bag in attic, ds1 & 2, bags in cupboard under the stairs etc.

Keep the stocking fillers in a carrier bag in the bottom of my wardrobe so we can just fill them up on Christmas eve. Also open toys and undo the plastic ties, put batteries in and put back in boxes so minimal assembly on Christmas morning.

I also keep my Sainsburys receipt each year from my Christmas Food delivery, and mark off whatever wasn't used or what we could have done with extra of, makes it much quicker when re-ordered the following year.

[TheFantasticMrsFox]

Just being started early is enough for me, though these threads have me yearning for a dedicated Christmas planner :o
I already have things like cocktail sausages and packs of streaky bacon sashed in the freezer as well as a burgeoning drinks haul in the spidery cupboard where nobody goes because of the webs
I keep amazon wish lists and have some odd notes on my phone that I need to remember.
Otherwise it's all in my head :o

[DaisyFlowerChain]

I use October half term for as much prep as possible so I try and ensure everyone is done present wise by then bar DS and DH, make my cards and write them, de clutter and sort out winter clothes shopping if needed.

I have a list running so I know what I've bought so far and always buy wrap and cards in the January sales plus any gifts I see.

Food wise, I just book an online slot and keep adding to it as I remember items.

[BiddyPop]

Lists!!

I have an excel spreadsheet going back to 2001 (I skipped 2006 as I wasn't at work) with a separate sheet for each year to do presents ideas, purchases, budget etc. With 45 to buy for, and having made the mistake a couple of times of repeating "great" ideas for the same person, it's vital. (And I do the new sheet either in December, or early January, for the following Christmas, with a very rough indicative budget but also allows me to pick up things in sales and put them away but not forget).

I do the Holiday Grand Plan on Organised Home (a US website) which allows deep cleaning the whole house, 1 room per week, from the last week of August. And also does lots of reminders of prep for the holidays too (like - remember to buy baking ingredients, or get batteries, or check smoke alarms are working).

I have learned to simplify the Christmas celebrations themselves. (Sort of). We do a full turkey dinner when we are at home (rather than travelling and eating MILs turkey at midday, and DM's turkey in the evening, then rolling into bed!!). But only a couple of side dishes that we like, not 6 kinds of potatoes, 4 kinds of stuffing and 20 kinds of veg.

I generally prep the veggies and potatoes the day before, and boil the neck for turkey stock. And cook the spiced beef for DH. He makes the stuffing (he uses sausage meat, a la MIL, but DM never used that so I cannot do it - DH always has a lovely chat with MIL for about 20 mins each 24th as he reminds himself of how to cook the sausage meat and the seasonings needed!! ).

I have to work for a couple of hours on Christmas Eve (or take a full day's leave). It's a nice morning in the office, and I get parking in the city centre (public car park behind that I pay by the hour for - but it's mobbed by 10am whereas I get in early enough to get a space). So DD comes to the office with me and DH goes for nice coffee. Then we meet up once I can escape, and go get lunch and to M&S to pick up a birthday cake and a handful of boxes of nibbly things to use for DD's birthday on 26th. I only make sandwiches fresh, cook the nibbles, and we have plenty of soft and alcoholic drinks for neighbours and visiting family that afternoon (26th).

on 24th, after we get M&S stuff (the mad rush is usually over by lunchtime in city centre - still mad in our nearest suburb branch mid afternoon, we have tested both options over the years) and anything else needed from the shops, we head home. Potentially via the local park if the weather is nice enough and we are organized enough. When we get home, we light the fire (DD reckons Santa has magic to put it out - I'm not arguing!) and pop on nice music while I do prep in the kitchen. DD helps by making cookies (either from scratch, or just helping me slice off a roll of an earlier batch in freezer) for Santa later. We ALWAYS have a spare half batch of cookie dough in the freezer by mid-December to give us that flexibility.

Wrap early. I used to spend 3-5 nights slaving over it in late December and hating it. Now I try to wrap loads before the end of November. (And I have quite a few things that I need to post overseas, and also most years have to either drop things off near our house the week before Christmas if we are travelling, or have packages ready to drop off in our families' houses on a weekend visit between mid-Nov to mid-Dec if we are staying put for Christmas). I actually wrapped about 1/3 of this year's presents last Friday. Another poster on the countdown thread suggested using the ironing board for wrapping - genius!!

I write cards from October. Either a few a night watching tv, or if I have any trips, I do a load on the flights or train which is often otherwise "dead" time (and I don't usually want to look at work stuff then). Make sure you get the posting dates well in advance, and buy postage supplies (boxes, bubble wrap etc) and stamps (festive or otherwise) as early as possible.

I also keep a shoebox wrapped in Christmas paper (lid wrapped separately) under the tree. This looks like a present, but actually contains a roll of tape, scissors, screwdriver, spare batteries, spare bulbs for older lights (no need for newer diodes), and a couple of bandaids. Useful emergency things.

I have also learned to try and do the drudge work early, and have that finished by the start of December. All, or all except the last couple of small bits, of present shopping. Try and get non perishables shop done by mid December (when the 50% extra free and bogofs are out) or earlier. Have the house generally clean and decluttered, so that it's only minimal maintenance from mid December (quick hovering, quick dusting, swish of the mop, and a lick over the bathrooms etc). If you are expecting guests, I have sheets and towels clean and on beds early, and the room ready, and spare sets sheets/towels clean and put together ready to swop if necessary (changovers, emergency changes needed, etc). If you need to use family beds, just have the clean linens for guests ready and in a bundle to grab quickly the day you are doing the making up.

No matter how empty the bins are already (we pay by lift as well as weight here), I will put both the recycling bin and regular landfill bin for emptying just before Christmas. Recycling is always full anyway, realistically, but I'll clear out as much recycling as possible beforehand. Landfill, probably won't fill up, but I always want to have the option of space in it. And if recycling is full between lifts, I will either use the landfill one or we may take a trip to the local bring centre (not that local!).

Early December I will also buy in plenty of logs and coal (we had an open fire, now have a stove, and use it lots over the holidays). And make sure I add a pack of firelighters to the food shopping in advance.

I do internet food shopping relatively frequently, and while the week before Christmas is impossible to get slots, I will book one maybe 2 weeks out. This will have lots of things like bin bags, kitchen towel, toilet rolls, cleaning stuff (things that I would be likely to need over Christmas especially - washup liquid, dishwasher tabs, bleach - not things like window cleaner or leather cleaner), drain unblocker (in case of emergencies), stuff to make life easier over hols like part baked bread rolls, a couple of sachets of pre-cooked pasta and rice (Uncle Ben's, Dolmio) for fast solo dinners when there are overlapping nights out and fresh sauces for fast family dinners, and general storecupboard essentials. And heavy things, like soft drinks, fizzy water, washing powder...as well as the weekly shopping needs that week. It leaves me free to concentrate on other things when I do the shopping in store the week before Christmas (both brain wise and trolley space wise) - the more festive things and fresh things.

I try to have at least 3-4 dinners for the family in the freezer to use over the month of December. And a number of single portions too (see overlapping nights out). So I'll make 2 lasagnes sometime in November and freeze 1, a double batch of a couple of curries and a spag bol sauce (freezing half each), and maybe something like a shepherd's pie or smoked fish and broccoli pie. And/or have a few things bought in but frozen to do the same, like a good quiche, pizza, chicken kievs, oven chips, and frozen veg. Make it easy on yourself.

By prepping early, and having solutions for meals etc on hand, it means I can concentrate more in December on the manic work life, getting to enjoy a couple of nights out (work - main night for all staff and a small section lunch extending until late evening, and I might manage to meet up with a group of friends who started work together years back, while the wives on our street all like to go for a meal locally too) and allowing DH to enjoy his nights out as well. And we also get a decent chance to be able to have enough energy left to enjoy a date night ourselves, and a couple of family things with DD (she has a few parties from sports clubs, a Christmas tournament in hockey, my office Santa party, and we always want to do something just as a family too). This year, we are going to a Carols by Candlelight concert on 23rd December at night.

It is also very important to organize being sick. Sounds daft. BUT. Have all scripts filled. Make sure you have cough, headache, upset tummy remedies etc on hand to reduce miserableness of anyone afflicted and keep it at bay for the rest of the family. Eat healthily and get some exercise in the run up to be able to keep your own energy levels up. Do NOT overschedule the family so that you keep all the energy levels reasonably balanced. Take a few minutes every day to recharge, have some nice smells around (essential oils or scented candles are great, but even just festive cooking, fresh pine, or nice air fresheners/pot pourri or whatever). Get fresh air!! (Hang washing outdoors, walk pets, bring the kids to the park for 20 minutes to run around).

Nothing is worse than a totally frazzled Mum, Dad, or worse, child (of any age!) on Christmas Day because they have done too much prep work (in total or at the last minute). So simplify the days of Christmas week, and either prep in advance or don't bother. The warm atmosphere with forgotten crackers or 3rd kind of extra sauce is much more memorable than tears, tantrums and frostiness of a "perfect Christmas where nothing is forgotten" but at least 1 person is too stressed out.

[BiddyPop]

I didn't realize I had done such a brain dump. Sorry

[mumtoone1]

biddypop this is great. it sounds amazing round at yours in December... room for 1 please :)

[AlexBaby123]

Found the perfect Christmas pressie for our little ones! An Interactive Kitchen by Plum:

www.mumsnet.com/microsites/plum

And there is a competition to win it too :)

www.mumsnet.com/microsites/plum-competition

[Spindarella]

Ok so will print off the pits from biddypop which will now be my blueprint for every Christmas. WOW!

[girlywhirly]

Well done Biddypop! It would have taken me several hours to type that.

Can I add remember pets food, especially if it is a special diet from the vet, and pet medication prescriptions if they need them.

There is a special plug in infuser called Feliway for calming animals when they are stressed, I often think wouldn't it be fantastic if they could make one for humans! Then everyone would be calm and friendly and relaxed and there would be less arguments and tension over the Christmas period, especially when in crowded houses with family members who can be difficult.

[BiddyPop]

Oh dear, it's a bit disjointed for use as a blueprint.

OK, a Plan.

1. Spreadsheet for present ideas and purchases, and budget combined.

1. Buy early, especially in sales, of things that suit the person. Not just because it's cheap(er).

1. Wrap early, and in small batches. Ironing board is a useful table for this - high, wide, and easy to hang tape off the end.

1. Buy cards as soon as they are released (or keep from previous Christmas), write in small batches, make use of small bits of downtime such as train or plane journeys, or waiting for appointments.

1. Buy wrapping and postage supplies early. Including boxes, paper, envelopes, bubble wrap, tape etc. And either regular or festive stamps. Check latest postage dates well in advance.

1. Try and get internet shopping delivery slot for the main Christmas shop if possible.

1. Whether you manage 6 or not, get a delivery slot in the fortnight before, for a midweek evening you'll be at home, to get all the non-perishables and avoid the chaos that supermarkets become. So all the heavy things and essential things (including non food items) are delivered. And trolley space is freed up for when you do make it into the SM in person - for all those festive goodies!

1. Make lists. Lots of them. Presents needed and budget. Plans for parties/entertaining/going out. A family calendar of events. Shopping lists for supermarket (1 for the "stores" items, and another for the perishables and treats).

1. Simplify the diary, so the whole family can enjoy the events you do go to. And as far as possible, do a few events suited to the whole family and, if your relationships are good, make time for family visits.

10. Simplify the meal to enough for all to eat, the family favourites but cut out the waste that no one wants. And the shops will open again on 27th, so don't buy like the world is ending.

11. Plan ahead for family meals before and around Christmas - freeze family sized and single portions of favourites, and have ingredients for fast but healthy meals on hand.

12. Also find some freezer space for a few festive treats, or to prep some parts of Christmas dinner ahead of time. Consider prepping veggies etc on 24th to give you more time to enjoy the family on 25th morning.

13. Find a tiny corner of the freezer to put a half a roll of cookie dough, so make fresh cookies on Christmas Eve even if time is not on your side. It will keep for another day if you have loads of time and want to do something fun together with the DCs.

14. Eat healthily beforehand and over the season - not ignoring the treats, but making sure you get the good stuff too. And keep getting some fresh air and exercise.

15. Have medical supplies on hand - all regular family scripts filled, and remedies for coughs, colds, upset tummies or guts etc, and things like band aids and antiseptic wipes.

16. Have spare batteries bought and easy to find. And any tools or things that might be needed, scissors, screwdriver, spare light bulbs etc. Matches for fires, candles, and flaming puddings.

17. Prepare for guests, in advance if possible (room made up and ready the weekend before arrivals) or at least clean sheets and towels put together to make up in a hurry.

18. Try to do a good cleaning of the house in advance. Whether that's a room a week, or 1 big cleaning day in late November. But aim to only have to do minimal maintenance from mid-December.

19. Make sure you have empty bins at the last collection before Christmas. Check all bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen etc.

20. Remember the weather. Check forecasts. Have the car ready for winter (antifreeze in system, de-icer and window scraper in the car, and emergency snacks and drinks, rug, dry socks etc) - whether you are going from London to Scotland, or just doing lots of small journeys locally.

21. Have hats, scarves, gloves and other protective wear taken out, clean and easy to find if needed. Waterproof coats, boots and umbrellas. Warm thermal layers. Etc.

22. Simplify as much as possible. Don't overschedule the family. Have nice foods but not the entire supermarket (either in amount or variety). Yes choice is good, but too much is not. If family relationships are not good, choose in advance what you will do yourselves but don't be afraid to say that you won't do all the wider family events as your nuclear family will be doing something else (and don't feel you have to elaborate on that something else). Take time to enjoy playing with DCs, go out and enjoy a Seasonal nature walk. Do a crossword for half an hour in a quiet corner.

23. Make time for magic. No matter how old you are, or what stage your family is at, there is always something special you can do (even if that's not very traditionally Christmas). There are so many types of Christmas music in all genres, find some that suits you - chart hits (or of yesteryear, "Last Christmas" anyone?!), metal, rock, folk, country, orchestral, gospel choir, traditional carols, other choral, jazz. And the same for movies and books - there is a huge variety out there. Go off the beaten track and explore.

24. And take time to remember the season that it is, and why it evolved (whether from the Pagan Yuletide or Christian Birth of Christ perspective). Remind yourself of what has happened during the year. Remember family and friends who are no longer here, and think about the celebrations that have happened too (weddings, new babies, personal successes etc). Allow the family to take time out of the busy world.

[SpangleMaker]

wow BiddyPop

I'm not by nature very organised but I do have a ring binder dedicated to Christmas with sections for food, presents, decorating ideas, etc. I keep the 'Big Shop' receipt from the year before, print outs of any recipes with notes etc. I also include a few notes on what worked/didn't work, eg 'mince pies are only eaten BEFORE Christmas', 'roast potatoes take longer than you think' etc.

I also write in my new diary all the dates for next year, eg to remind me when the Christmas delivery slots are released, to book Christmas Eve activities etc.

[ftmsoon]

I am doing Christmas for the first time as a mum and this thread is awesome! Thanks guys.

[BuilderMammy]

BiddyPop, I think I love you : ) I remember your post on Christmas traditions last year was amazing too. If there's ever a Mumsnet Guide to Christmas you need to write it!

I always write a note to myself on the first of January, telling myself what worked and what didn't. It's been surprisingly helpful.

[SlatternGettingPumpkinReady]

Biddybop that was brilliant. Great ideas.

[currieaddict]

As the big post above says, I tend to you a huge saisnburys shop and have it delivered on 19/20th December. All the booze, snacks, soft drinks and stuff that won't perish for the week.

The meat is ordered from our local butcher who is also a green grocer so on 24th I pick up meat, veg and fruit at my allotted time - they have everything ready - I can even go to the back door with the car.

I have a cleaner so she takes care of the house which I am very luck to have.

I am already done with the parcels that need to go to Australia.

Cards, I hardly write any these days.