Best christmas tips

[starwish]

Would love to here other peoples tips for christmas... great ones I have come across on here are:
buying two stockings to make the swap easier
wrapping up a box to put wrapping paper in so you don't have black bin bags in photos
buying wrapping paper and cards in sales
I am sure you all have many more you could add to the list,

Wrap all stocking gifts in the paper Santa uses (it buys you 10min to wake up in the morning) then put each persons stocking gifts into separate carrier bags with their names on ready to tip into the stockings on Christmas eve. I couldn't justify having two identical stockings each - that would be 10 stockings and a lot of £££!

We also eat out on Christmas eve as it exhausts the kids, keeps the house tidy (no dishes!) and then when we arrive home the elf has left our hamper so it is time for pj's, hot choc, treats and a film then bed.

Similar to the wrapped box for old paper. I use those giant gift bags. Saves wrapping ( lazy!) and can use the bag again. Easy to get in poundland.

DH is rolling his eyes as I keep interrupting GBBO to say "Ohhh, we have to do this", "We are definitely doing that"
I second paper plates (particularly Christmas breakfast) as it saves so much time in the morning before the hell Christmas lunch dishes start.

I have a Christmas kit and made my sister one when she had my nephew
It consists of
Black bag and recycling bags
Scissors
Wire cutters
Screwdrivers
Batteries
Camera
Notebook and pen

Love your idea Trumpton of making boxes with the kids for the their presents :) I need a Christmas organiser to write all this down :)

Another fan of the decorated boxes for opened presents, that's inspired and would make a huge difference to the chaos here on Christmas morning : ) And I know I'd have loved it as a kid; even with new library books I spent the first few days carting the whole stack around with me 24/7, never mind Christmas presents!

I like the pretty box for wrapping paper too, though we usually have a plastic bag so it's contained anyway, even if it's not pretty.

I highly recommend assembling big things like kitchens or dollshouses early in December. And Playmobil - I've heard a few too many stories about people staying up till the early hours wrestling with that. I aim to be in bed by 10pm on Christmas Eve!

Another fan of the decorated box or bag to put presents in, it usually takes us a few days to put presents away properly. i like the toolkit idea for under the tree as well.

Ooh yes Builder. You have brought back memories of building coupe cars and trikes late Christmas Eve after wrongly assuming very big box = already assembled!

We our stockings early in the morning and then don't open our main presents until after lunch. Because this is a long wait for the children we now make sure Father Christmas brings one main present and puts it next to the stocking. This keeps the children happy until lunch.

I second different wrapping paper for each person.

My tip would be to remember to breath and relax. Christmas is a time to enjoy. It's not a competition. Most people will not notice or remember the small detail, so don't overthink it and don't overspend. You can create a magical, memorable time on a very small budget.

In order for me to achieve this I rely on lists for everything so that I'm organised. Lost of thinking and planning which makes the doing much quicker and simpler.