What Christmas tips worked well this year and what will you not be doing next year?

[Monroe]

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas
I've picked up lots of tips over the years from these threads. This year we tried the lottery present opening for the 2 dc's. We had a jar filled with numbers that corresponded to the ones stuck to the bottom of the dc's gifts and they took turns pulling out a number then both had to find that gift. It stretched the opening of them out and they really enjoyed playing the "game"

What I won't be doing is buying loads of stocking fillers just for the sake of it. Most of them were opened and discarded within the first couple of minutes

[wonderstuff]

weaselwords I did the same, was fantastic.

Turkey crown rather than a whole bird, much cheaper, quicker and fed 9 plus left overs.

Slow cooker mulled cider is genius, I'll do that.

I didn't lay the table until the last minute, and it would have been nice to have it all laid looking lovely.

[Llareggub]

We were ill so I cooked nothing. Apart from the ill part it turns out Christmas is greatly improved by vegging out and doing nothing.

Next year I plan to be well but similarly chilled.

Christmas in our house in future will be relaxed and unplanned affairs.

[trixymalixy]

Best stocking filler I bought was a cheaper version of jenga. It cost £2.50 and was a big hit. Also minecraft key ring to go on DS's school coat. Those snap things you throw on the ground were popular I'm going to get them for DD next year too. Silly drinking straw in the shape of glasses. Then just the usual toothbrush, socks, pants, DVD, chocolates and a giant lolly from Poundland. So plenty to open but not stuff that will lie around and get chucked.

[Taffeta]

We went out on Christmas Eve to the cinema and for lunch. This was excellent - it wasn't busy at all. Really enjoyed it.

Didn't cater Xmas lunch myself this year. Prob will again from next year but will def go the turkey crown route and minimal veg so there aren't leftovers. A beef and a ham have done us well this year, will do again with small joints. Will make Xmas cake and mince pies again, but buy in other stuff eg bread sauce, brandy butter that I've made in previous years. Just CBA these days.

Presents become less is more as the DC grow, thank goodness. New BopIts were a big hit, good to have games they can play with rellies etc.

Started buying in Oct and was done by early Dec. Will do this for majority of stuff again next year as its online, but for actual RL shopping I may buy some stuff on Xmas Eve next year - it looked fun.

[Taffeta]

Biggest hits here on the "small" present front:

• Tetris and Smash Bop Its
  
• Bluetooth mini speaker
  
• Hedbandz
  
• Flashing jelly ring
  
• Kimidoll notebook and pen with message from Santa inside
  
• Sound machine
  

DC are 8 & 11

[Guitargirl]

Don't book theatre tickets for Boxing Day, we were all knackered, it was pouring down and the DCs just wanted to play with their toys. Don't book train travel for Dec 27th (yes, am referring to the total misnomer that is First "Great" Western).

[MERLYPUSSEDOFF]

Different wrapping paper for each twin.
FC bought one huge box of lego each. (they'd mentioned this in the summer) We bought smaller, crapier, but useful stuff like PJs smaller compatible lego, minecraft books and sticker books.
Split our presents over two days and took the sticker books to sisters for boys to play with.
Silicone paper lining the roast potato pan. Too heavy to use foil ones.
Cover dining table with brown paper and supply guest with colouring pens. Don't buy crackers but spend what you would've spent on £1 gifts. I found character appropriate Mr Men books for 10p. Shame I didn't have the balls to give my BIL 'Mr Try To Look Like You Are Enjoying Yourself and Put Your Phone Away at the Table'.

[inconceivableme]

stargirl - I like that 4 gifts idea! (Want, need, read and wear) That's a keeper!

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

We had the big Christmas meal on Boxing Day, and the small buffet type nibbly meal on Christmas Day. It worked well for us - less stress all the way around.

Stockings had useful needed things like a watch (Aldi 4.99), fun pirate socks, small lego toy. New pyjamas is always a present, usually they get them on Christmas Eve. They always get one or two books as presents. Still a lot of presents though, so next year it's being cut down.

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

Oh, and watch those dates for returns for electrical items. I bought a games console 36 days before Christmas, and when we opened it Christmas Day, it had a fault. The toy store initially said only exchange within 30 days, and I argued a bit with them before the manager finally said yes, they would extend the 30 days and exchange it for us.

[trixymalixy]

Merly, I put the foil trays inside the proper dishes in the oven to support the weight of the potatoes. Then the dish is hot to serve the potatoes to the table but just needs a wipe rather than scrubbing.

[LIZS]

There is no time limit for faulty/damaged returns.

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

The toy store specifically told me that they exchange under 30 days, but if it was over 30 days, it would have to be sent in to the company. This was Smyths, but I know from experience that TRU are pretty shabby with their customer service as well. I'm simply pointing out that it's an issue with some stores.

[FannyFanakapan]

Prep everything for Christmas eve dinner in morning. Then go to matinee panto on Christmas eve, and home for much easier dinner. It means that from 3pm onwards, I am in christmas mode, not slaving in the kitchen for 2 hours. If only I could persuade them all to get a take out on the way home...(my mission for next year)

Pressies: I'm going to get DH, DD (18) and DS1 (15) to use amazon wishlists. Im sick of the grumping from DS1.

Im going to scour the Christmas bargains threads - got some great little stocking fillers (zip up earbuds...genius) for all, and some good ideas for gifts for others.

Buy less for stockings and dont forget the tangerine....(kids were most put out)

Buy an office sellotape dispenser, just for me. No-one else may use it. They must source their own.

[Pollywallywinkles]

Keep a christmas notebook (paper or electronic) and use it for lists. I have lists for present ideas along with what I bought for each person. I will jot down ideas throughout the year.

I have a christmas period food list which is used every year and saves loads of time. (It works for us as we eat much the same every year).

I also add notes after each Christmas as to what I need to do differnt the following year. It's very easy to forget when the next Christmas comes round that even the pets got sick of eating meat, so don't buy so much or that you needed more of something.

Use a different wrapping paper for each person; adults and children.

Having hosted Christmas for too many years now we have it down to a fine art and only need to tinker with things depending on how many of us there are and the ages.

[Pollywallywinkles]

Forgot to add, do as much food prep as possible on Christmas Eve morning.

We find Christmas day works better if we eat late afternoon, bt it's not always possible to do this.

[ChristmasTimeName]

Only buy/prepare for Christmas dinner and a buffet later - not for the next 4 days meaning the oven and fridge are crammed with left overs no one wants.

[Westendgal]

Wrap when you buy. Amazed at the difference this makes.

[Lambbone]

Don't do Pernod carrots again. Eugh.

[Safmellow]

Don't buy a cheapo Elsa dress for DD again, been hoovering for 36 hours and there is still glitter EVERYWHERE.

[lemisscared]

pernod carrots?? why would you do that?

[windchime]

I am going to book a shift to work next Boxing Day so I don't have to feed my greedy grabbing inlaws again next year!

[NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding]

I should've tidied up more too - didn't bother because we weren't here for Xmas day but now we are back it's even worse!

[ecofreckle]

keeping a spreadsheet of presents bought with running formula of total spent worked well for me. Never done it before and never had any clue how much I spent. Now I know how much I'll need for next year and I can save appropriately to avoid overdraft (been on maternity leave and now started own business so it's been hard to find the money).

The car boot/charity shop book advent calendar with new book each day, wrapped and numbered, was fun. We saved them. Christmas ones for the last few days and whipped ourselves into a frenzy.

The bargain thread was great...the people on their are so friendly and helpful with present ideas and I got loads of bargains.

Never discovered tkmaxx prior to this year.....I was able to buy quality presents for people at a good price.

We didn't add a note list of hopes for the next year when we packed up the decorations last year and we missed finding that upon opening this year.

We got our real traditional (the ones which drop their needles) Christmas tree the first weekend in December and have just got back from a week away to a tree that looks mint with only the odd dropped needle. The secret? Buy from a farm where they cut them down for you when you've chosen. A revelation!

[elQuintoConyo]

Don't do anything special for Christmas breakfast; porridge and fruit as usualswas fine and meant we got healthy stuff in us at least once that day

If I'm going to make Christmas cards (for older family and a couple of friends), get them made in October. I still sent them on 12th Decembr for USA and Oz this year!

Said I wouldn't make Christmas cake this year and stuck by it. Very relieved.

I wrapped as I bought and labelled everything. I have an A5 notebook every year where I jot down ideas, what I've bought, prices, where I've hidden it etc! I tried doing it electronically - I really did! - but book and pen was easier for me to cope with!

I'll have Fil, Bil and Sil for lunch again next year, it was lovely to have them and they enjoyed playing with DS even though thry nevr told DH what time they were arriving and food was cold

Take away roast chicken Xmas eve was a fabulous idea definitely doing that again next year. And the throw away tin roasting trays, awful wastage, I know.

And definitley buy more Aldi/Lidl nibbles - currently on my last piece of honey and fig gingerbread