Simple Christmas checklist? Help please!

[anonymousbird]

I always leave everything (and I mean everything) to the last minute. I am determined to be in good shape by the beginning of December this year so I can actually relax a bit and enjoy the build up rather than panic and stress until 23rd! So I am trying to come up with a simple list. We are not a big family, even with parents and cousins so it really should not be a big deal!

I am up to:

Decide venue DONE - at ours (as usual!)
Establish numbers DONE
Rough main meal plan (ie. turkey and the trimmings for the first time in a decade, feeling brave)
Christmas Eve plan DONE - going out for dinner
Presents - outline list started
Cards and stamps to buy
Addresses to find
Tree (second weekend in Dec)
Decs and lights IN LOFT
DC lists/letter to Santa
Christmas Cinema trip
Trip to DH's office for kids' christmas party
Food list and order
Wine order
Boxing Day - go out/activity?

What else blindingly obvious am I missing (without going overboard!?)

Wrapping paper and tags are best bought early... I usually forget and then by the time I go to buy them, I can never get matching/co-ordinating ones!

Good call. Cards, wrapping and tags will be bought this week hopefully! I figure if I start small and regular now, I should be ok. I even have ordered one gift from Amazon and because I am ahead of time, i can get free delivery on everything rather than panicking and having to pay for express delivery!

I would also find the addresses early. Then you can write the cards and have them ready to send. I have had times before when I havent had any addresses, found them on 23rd and sent them the 24th, then blamed the post!!