Help! the panic has set in

[LazySusan11]

I am hosting Christmas this year for the 1st time for 6 of us. I am a horrible perfectionist and I am starting to panic that I'm not prepared at all.

Because of the type of job I have I am away from home a lot and once home I will have 9 days to organise spare rooms, clean, shop for the Christmas food I haven't already ordered, plan meals for Christmas week except obviously Christmas Day wrap presents and get festive. I get anxious because of my weird need for everything to be perfect because I want it to be amazing for everyone else which is completely irrational I know. I really want to relax and enjoy not drive myself and our guests nuts with my OCD!!

Can anyone help me break down the tasks I need to do so I can get over myself!!

Ooh that sounds like a great challenge.
I would wrote very specific lists so you know what u should be doing on each day. Also ticking them off will feel great.

I think 9 days is plenty.

How long are your guests staying with you?

I agree 9 days is loads of you plan it out now. Whenever you have a quiet minutes. Plan what you are serving when, bookmark reviews online, write a shopping list. Wrap a little each evening in front of a trashy Christmas film. You will get it done.

You know, Christmas will not be amazing for your family and guests and you are all worked up over everything being perfect. It is a recipe for a great deal of stress. Christmas is supposed to be fun and relaxing. O do understand, I used to be like you but have learned to relax into it and I am so glad I did, It is my Christmas too and I want to enjoy it and nobody will ever think they had a rubbish time if the crackers looked a bit wonky on the table or the gravy is a little to thick. 9 days is plenty, lists are the way to go, and try to relax a little or people will pick up on your anxiety and feel awkward. Easier said than done I know.

Excuse the typos - see I am chilled!

Thanks for the replies, I'm making lists. Wish everyone would cancel I don't feel at all in the Christmas mood.

I have a big list of tasks, including planning the menu (will leave a whole night for that), I set a date for each to be completed by and just blast through, if I can make the next nights load a little lighter I will.

Set a time to do something for you too, read, do a facial, bake, just something that you enjoy. You've got loads of time so breathe, boil the kettle and grab a pen.