Can I see your Christmas 'to do' list please? Nearly 50 years old and sick of being crappy and disorganised.

[minifingerz]

An old dog CAN learn new tricks!

Every year DH and I are wrapping and shopping on Christmas eve at 12.30am and the house is a shit heap on Christmas day. I'll spend the day tidying up, losing things, and feeling annoyed with myself.

So, starting now, what sort of things (and in what sort of order) should I be doing to get ahead of myself?

I think we're hosting on Christmas day for family. It's our turn and I like doing it (despite the chaos). Will go out Christmas eve for a meal or to my mums, (but will have to bring the food if I go to my mum's - I'm thinking delicious, non-cooked stuff). 3 dc's, all with more stuff than they need and very greedy. DH impossible to buy for as he is fussy and has everything.

The best thing I've ever learned from MN is to shift all Christmas prep forward by one day.

Do that mad midnight wrapping on 23rd Dec. Scrub the house the day before. Prep Christmas Eve dinner the day before too. Wake up to a sparkling house on 24th with absolutely no chores to do.

The first year I did this, I took DC into London on Christmas Eve. We had lunch in a lovely restaurant with a favourite relative, then went on to Winter Wonderland for the ice sculptures, circus and giant ferris wheel. I felt so relaxed and Christmassy and smug. Never looked back.

So my top tip is: move your deadlines forward by 24 hours.

Book something fun for Christmas Eve: panto, lunch in a restaurant, Winter Wonderland, trip to Santa etc to give you the incentive.

If you want beauty treatments, book them now. Good hairdressers will be getting booked up.

I get tree and decs up early. Puts everyone in the spirit.

Buy as much as you can online. Start now so those weird things on their list that you can only get from an individual Amazon seller in Wisconsin arrive on time! :)

Christmas eve dinner is a very simple family favourite. We always have spag bol as they love it and I can cook it in advance. I lay a fire the night before then light it on Christmas Eve and hang stockings up there. (I've never done end-of-the-bed stockings as DC wouldn't have slept a wink. Fireside stockings are much easier to fill. If you buy them from Poundland, just buy two identical. Wrap and pack the second one in advance then swap them on the night, pre-stuffed.

Do nothing for show or tradition unless you want to. I don't make a Christmas cake any more. Kids hate it and it just makes DH and me massively fat. I make a chocolate roulade log with a robin that the kids eat.

Aw I think a bit of chaos at Christmas is traditional! But I know what you mean, it can get a bit much.

So things I'm doing this month - decluttering, and buying presents. The decluttering can be great if you have any stuff you can ebay, as it raises funds. Be ruthless, you'll have a load of new stuff coming in to make way for!

I aim to get all presents bought, as well as all cards written, addressed & stamped in november, ready for sending out on 1st December.

I think if you get all that done in advance, then you can just concentrate on having fun in December!

Can you get DH an experience rather than stuff? Theatre or concert tickets or a 'drive the car of your dreams' sort of thing?

My DH is an ace present buyer. he just hoovers up casual info. If I say I like a song, the CD appears in my stocking, even if I never knew who sang it on the radio. You could do this. If he likes the look of anything when you're out, or notices a book review/music review that sounds interesting, surprise him with it.

Order of planning:

Get DC to sort out their lists now. Give them a budget so they don't get too greedy. I ask mine to asterisk the things they want most. It's not always the most expensive stuff. Lists on fridge door. Take an hour or two when DC are in bed or not around and order as much as you can online.
I keep track so they have the same number of things, roughly the same amount of money.

Declutter now. Use half term to clear out old tat to make way for new.

If you make puddings, do them in November.

Any deep cleaning - do it in November so you can decorate the house early or mid December.

I allocate a task per weekend in the run up to Christmas, starting after bonfire night.

So -

Write Christmas cards and print labels
Book courier for presents (family live quite far away)
Make large batch mince pies and freeze
Wrap presents (my favourite, saddo that I am!)
Organise Christmas decorations
Food orders

In the week before Christmas we have a to do list with tasks allocated. We also pay our cleaner to do an extra hour to deep clean certain areas, which makes it easier.

Menu plan and prep as much as you can in advance. And relax, no one cares if you've not cleaned the oven and dusted behind the sofa!!

My best tip for the day itself is to have a large cardboard box for each family member. They can be covered in Christmas paper and tinsel and shiny stuff. All different and named if necessary.
As each gift is unwrapped and oohed and ahhed over it goes into the recipients box to be gloated over later. All batteries and leads and instructions also go into the stash.
The boxes can be pushed to one side easily and taken to bedrooms later.

Some wonderful tips here everyone.

Thanks!

I'm so looking forward to Christmas, and the kids are already getting excited.

Trumpton - I love that idea. I hate the chaos of Christmas morning, and it never occurred to me to get boxes!

I DO have a Christmas paper wrapped box for throwing the wrapping paper in, as it looks nicer than a binbag in the photos.

I am trying to simplify it all this year and get more organised, so watching with interest. I have decided to scrap adult children's stockings, as it costs a bomb, but am dithering over whether to keep one for the youngest DS(12)

I used to be like you until I went to our local Spar for last minute bits one Christmas Eve, in my jogging bottoms and cleaning T-Shirt, looking a total sight and met my cousin's wife looking really glam having just had walk in our local park with her family and lovely lunch in town.

She said she decided the holidays were too short to be some kind of slave/Cinderella and made massive changes with her family, spending more time doing fun stuff. She now refuses to do anything involving hard work after 22nd Dec.

I followed her advice and would agree with Mrs Molesworth - do as much as you can up to 22nd/23rd Dec then stop. It doesn't matter if some things aren't perfect - having happy memories you can remember and not dimly recall through an exhausted fug are more important.

Flylady usually does a 'Cruising into Christmas' month in November with daily tasks so everything is organised by Dec 1st.

Fly lady has started her Christmas cruising. A lot of very simple ideas, but build up to having everything done by Dec 1st. She started with making a rough budget, then finding your sticky tape and any wrapping paper you have left. Then make a list of things you want to buy. It's not my cup of tea (I've been organising since Sept!) But does seem helpful.

My to do list is
-Buy wrapping paper, and pick a day to wrap everything. I like to do it when the tree is up, Christmas music on, and lay out the children's things to get a feel of how it looks. Will do that perhaps 9th dec. Allows for time to buy anything I've forgotten.
-Write cards now, and buy stamps every time I pass the post office. So all ready to post on 8th Dec, and no huge stamp bill!
-Plan what you are going to eat. Be specific. No point rushing around like a headless chicken the week before because you can't think of anything. Gives you time to browse for recipes or try in advance if you aren't sure. I brought nigella lawson choc chop chili to a party last year and it was awful because I used the wrong type of chorizo. And Christmas lasts for 8 days, no one wants to go for groceries. so have a rough idea what to eat during the rest of the time.
-put up your decs early-ish. I do it the first weekend in Dec because it's before all the events start and I'm not rushing.
-any trips or ticket events you want to book, do it now. They book out and its much easier knowing when you are doing what, not trying to slot the only available time into your day.

That's about all I can think of now. Totally agree with any meal prep, getting it done as early as possible. Lots more time for enjoying!

There is a website for organising the run up to Christmas - I think it's called the Holiday Grand Plan - a lovely poster called BiddyPop linked to it last year. Some of it may not apply to your home and plans but it may provide a bit of structure and help you visualise the jobs you want to do.

I am very lucky as I only work two days a week and usually have the house to myself as everyone is at work or school on the other weekdays. So I can do things like shopping and wrapping when I'm on my own.

So far I have picked up a few bits for my teenager and know what I'm buying for the rest of her stuff. DH will usually ask for something specific or wants iTunes vouchers for a magazine subscription. Older DD wants some more driving lessons so it's just the youngest - he has written a list for Santa already but no doubt he'll change his mind a few times before the big day. Being prepared runs in the family obviously

Once the schools go back at the start of November I will make lists - cards, meal planner, presents still to buy etc. I will also declutter in the youngest's bedroom, my DDs sort their own rooms. All deep cleaning is done before the school's break up - after that there may be a bit of light dusting and a quick Hoover of any visible floors. No furniture is moved.

I buy the 2nd class nativity Christmas stamps so have to get them as soon as they hit the post office as they sell out quickly. I try to write my cards as soon as I buy them (late November) but only send them once I've had two or three by post myself, just so I don't seem over eager, but in plenty of time for posting deadlines.

I try to wrap in batches. Each DC has different paper just so I don't have to use labels. They go back in a big bag with their name written on an off cut of the paper taped to the front - just in case I am incapacitated on Christmas Eve and someone else has to do the sorting out. Last year I put the ironing board up and used that to wrap on. Much better than crouching on the floor.

For the last couple of years I have cashed in clubcard vouchers and booked a restaurant for Christmas Eve lunch. Absolutely brilliant - we go to the children's service at church straight afterwards and then home to a buffet tea and a few glasses of wine while watching Elf.

woolly that site is fabulous! I'm rubbish at getting the house clean on time, but that's just perfect!

I do as much prep as I can before December because if you are anything like our family it becomes booked up with social engagements and then the time I have left I procrastinate.

Book any hair appointments for family.
Buy christmas cards and STAMPS, both large and normal.

Move furniture to make room for tree, get down decs and sort these, so not a huge tip to sort out on decoration day.

Prepare menu for xmas eve, day, and boxing day.
clean carpets, curtains and furnishings.

Get rid of as much rubbish as possible so bins are completely empty over xmas, causing less waste disposal management. This used to drive me mad.
Trips to charity shop, if applicable.

Stock up on essentials/ non perishable.

Buy xmas related food/ non perishable.

Try to wrap presents as you buy them, a couple at night when dc are in bed or out.

Watching with interest, i have already had a bit of a clear out of the kids toys but its not made much of a dent - will have to be more ruthless esp with birthdays in the new year.

We have recently moved so atleast a lot of our decorating stuff is in attic and i organised that before we moved so i have bought the bits i need to decorate our much bigger house.

One room to wallpaper prior to xmas. Most of our family presents bought and i have bought some wrapping paper. I have bought a few non perishables and stuck them away in a high cupboard so i cant eat the biscuits!

I love the idea of moving everything forwards by 24hrs so i can swan about drinking xmas drinks, carol singing and looking festive on xmas eve- instead of hot and sweaty(from last min cleaning!)

I am hosting so intend to prep everything on xmas eve morning as we have a family thing in the afternoon and wont be home until late. I will also be using disposable foil trays for the cooking. I intend to lay the table before we leave as well.

I have a few new recipes to try so i must factor in some time to test these.

I have a few good tips thanks, please keep them coming! Christmas hosting virgin here! I want to waft about on xmas day handing out drinks and playing with the kids not chained to the kitchen and getting slightly pissed as i am bit stressed!

I'm so disorganized this year so this thread is fab.

And we are having a new gas stove put in which will involve lots of dirt and dust - hoping that will be done last week in November. And then two rooms will be painted that week too. Although might try and get one done before.

We are home for Xmas and having my sis, BIL, niece, dad and mil to stay. Sis etc all arrive about midnight on 23rd so that is my deadline. And we will prob need to pop into town for a few last minute bits. MIL does her shopping once she gets here to save having to carry it on the train.

I'm doing Xmas cake this weekend.

Oh I love the cardboard box idea, fab, I'm going to use that

I try to have all shopping done by 30th Nov
I've already booked an Ocado shop
If you need your oven cleaned book it now (must do this)

Bought my first present today!

Will try to by a few every week now.

Buy even.

Fab idea for a thread.

My DD has a birthday just before christmas. It's a bit counter intuitive, but we do her party at home a few days before christmas. Means we get the cleaning done in good time and frees up the last few days for more fun stuff.

I make and freeze lasagne, garlic bread and mince pies early in Dec. These get defrosted to eat on christmas eve - nice treaty food with no effort on the day.

The thing I need to crack is gifts for extended family. I'm fine doing DH and the kids but I struggle to think of things for my parents, so I procrastinate and end up getting something last minute under great stress.

Bimbly - i am going to nick your idea of freezing some food for the festive season. I might make a good curry, some soups and a lasagne - i like something a bit different after all the gravy.

I struggle with family - for mine, step mum complies a list but inlaws expect you to guess! Then dont use your stressed over and well thought out gift-ggrr. I know it sounds grabby but i would rather buy something that the person wants or needs rather than just stuff even if its nice.

I am motivated now to crack on with the decluttering now. I have a spare room so i am tempted to start wrapping and assembling xmas decorations. Love the idea of wrapping a box to put paper in.

Can anyone recommend a christmas cookbook with timings, menu plans etc - i need an hr by hr countdown.

I have ordered a personalised Christmas story book and am hunting for pjs.

Must book hair appointments as i always struggle to get in.

To do:

Acknowledge that Christmas is just a couple of months away

Very useful tips. Wil be trying some.

I love this thread. We have to fit a kitchen and do up a house before Christmas (and have a second child on the way in Feb) so it's safe to say I need all the help I can get.

LOVE the two stockings idea!!!!