To write a list of dos and donts for next year (lighthearted)

[Ekphrasis]

1. Put a small pack of Lego in the stocking to avoid clamouring to open the tree presents by 8:30.

1. Do NOT buy an animal woodcraft construction kit for stocking thinking "how STEM and eco" if you wish to have a swear free morning.

1. Better hiding places.

*don'ts

1. Do put out the Reindeer food that DD so lovingly made instead of leaving it in the hall for her to see on Christmas morning.

1. Don’t drink so much on Christmas Eve that you can’t really cope with putting the presents out and everything gets a bit mixed up.

defo to better hiding places & taking all the labels off to stop the discussion about "why Santa bought so much in Primark/boots/tesco when the elves are supposed to make the toys"

Buy santa presents that fit in the stockings, and actually buy all your good ideas as you have them, instead of panic buying on amazon prime at extortionate prices 2 days before Christmas.

Set a budget and stick to it

Don't buy so much treat food - we still have loads to get through.

Don't forget batteries!!!

1. Don't buy toys that state they take 4-6 hrs to build. I am dreading building it now!

1. Build more storage for the ever growing collection of toys now that I have 2 kids. WAs not a problem with one!

Do: start looking at All inclusive resorts overseas, preferably in a country where they don't celebrate Christmas.

Meal plan. That way you won't find yourself eating food just because it's there, or even having to throw it out. You'll save £s (and maybe even a few lbs!)

1. Don’t get inturruoted when you’ve just nearly finished wrapping all the presents, put them away then forget you haven’t finished until Xmas day. They’re we’re about 6 presents unlabelled, I had to have a quick peek and label them on Xmas morning.

2 Dont buy as much food, especially cheese . We’ve put a load in the freezer.

Do (for those heavily involved in church, especially if you are in the choir): decide carefully in advance which services you will attend, and which you won't, and stick to it. With 25th Dec being Monday this year, there were four services in 26 hours. I declared very firmly that I would not attend all four. I found a reasonable compromise was to go to the special ones, but to skip the regular Sunday ones in December.

Don't: do treat food all the time, especially all through Advent! My system can't cope with so much sugar.

I like your thinking K2.

(This one is for those who next year will have their first Christmas with teenagers)

Don't forget teenagers can be completely delightful

Definitely don't buy too much chocolate. We have enough to last us through until Easter.
Don't spend a fortune on personalised letters from Santa, they kids weren't that excited!
Do spend it at home just us four again, it's stress free and lovely!