What will you do differently for 2020

[PinkJam]

What will you do differently next Christmas?

I am going to be better organised and wrap as I go rather than wrapping everything in one go.

I have already decided to buy less, the kids love it just as much with fewer presents. I cut back a bit this year but am going to reduce again next year.

Instead of buying lots of smaller presents for family, I’m just going to buy one present for each person.

I don't know yet.

Well, I know I want to be more organised. December is always a mad month quite apart from Christmas:
at work (closing out the year);
Cubs (as we operate calendar year, the older Cubs are moving on to Scouts so get responsibility for organising their Christmas party (eek, that can be, let's say, interesting at times!) and preparing for newer Cubs to arrive in early January);
Sailing (end of autumn coaching, annual junior awards night to organise, planning the spring coaching, dealing with parent complaints etc);
School (formal exams, lots going on, DD in meltdown as her ASD kicks in with the extra stress);

And then Christmas means that all the family want to see us, a lot. We live 250km away, and have activities both days every weekend until the weekend before Christmas, and work until Christmas Eve (have to turn up on Christmas Eve for a couple of hours or lose a whole days' leave) - so actually have very limited time to see people. And have a few social engagements of our own with friends, colleagues and neighbours as well.

So I need to be better organised this year.

Presents not only bought but WRAPPED before the start of December.
Cards written and ready to send before the start of December (I usually write them on planes on work trips over the autumn, but had been doing interview prep on those trips....)
More food prep done in advance - I didn't make the cake I'd planned, and the only baking I did was a batch of mince pies (I managed that pastry), and some sausage rolls made with shop-bought pastry. But no cookies or cakes or Yule logs or anything....

I also got way behind on my crafting efforts this year, so I want to get stuck in much earlier this year (for presents). Cos I have the ingredients/materials, I just need the time to MAKE them.

And make time for decorating better - I got the tree up on 14th, but never got the garland up at all in the hall, and had a good few other things I wanted to do.

I also want to actually have a meal for family in our house - others in the family changed plans around me so it had to be cancelled this year. But at least I had talked DH around - so it might actually happen in 2020.

And I also want time, over the holidays, to sit and watch at least 1 movie in peace in the daytime, and to have time to read over the break as well. As I have a stack of books I want to get through....

Buy more "The Snowman" loo roll from Aldi
Definitely 70 l only bought 1 x 4 pack and couldn't get anymore either

I put the decorations up the first weekend in December, it was lovely having a Christmassy house all through December. We always have lights on our outside tree, but this year we hung large sparkly baubles too. They looked lovely and so welcoming. Definitely will do the same this year.

I bought a Waitrose Christmas pudding (the one in the ceramic pudding basin) and it was delicious, very moist and stuffed full of fruit. I would definitely buy it again.

We had friends to supper between in the week between Christmas and New Year and I was all cooked out. So we had quiche and salad, cold meats and cheeses. It went really well and was much easier than cooking another special meal.

This is what will be different this year.

We will actually attend a proper mass service in church. And we will hang a few pine cones on the Christmas tree this year as well. This year Christmas tea will be lighter.
No cups of coffee or mints late at night as most of it unfortunately got wasted last year. All torn wrapping paper will either be recycled or used. I want to start a yearly family photoshoot in addition.

I am going to finish the shopping at least a week before Christmas as I was still picking up the last few bits on Christmas Eve. I am also going to wrap things much earlier - I was still wrapping on Christmas Eve🤦‍♀️
I am going to deliver some presents early in December or late November as I didn't get to visit some relatives until after Christmas this year.

Was lovely reading this thread and I'm full of hope things will be better by the 'ber months so we have some sort of a "normal" Christmas!

I'm due baby number 2 in October so planning on getting a start on presents before then and try and have it all done and wrapped by beginning of December! I try to do this every year but for some reason it all goes wrong and its the weeks leading up to Christmas we end up having another mad rush.

Last year we were still cleaning and organising on Christmas eve and never again! I felt sad I couldn't enjoy the Christmas feeling on Christmas eve due to rushing around :(

I’m trying to be positive and hope we can still do our traditional Christmas trips the Santa train and a pantomine.
If I not I’m going be looking for some new traditions which could still be fun. I’ll be looking at this board for ideas.

This year I really want to celebrate Christmas with my parents or with in-laws.

I'm going to start saving now. I find the money aspect of it very stressful.

Giving my man a list to buy for me this year. Left to his own devices its shockingly bad and sad. To say I was disappointed xmas 2019 is putting it lightly lol.

I buying a hell of a lot less. There a toys that have barely been touched. One of two are still unopened. I wont be going to any parties this christmas eve either 😂 past few Christmas eves I've been visiting family and friends for wine and nibbles and always end up with a sore head Christmas morning, just not worth it anymore

My list has been cut drastically, it now consists of my own 5 children, husband and my parents. That's it! This will be our first Christmas in our new home, and newest baby will be 5 months, so I'm hoping my parents are able to come and stay and join us as usual. Otherwise, I think I'm sticking to my usual plan.

Buying for less people. Buying less gifts but better ones for kids - leave them nearer the time as they are so young their tastes change quickly. Wrap as I go. Put decs up 1st December - it went too quick this year!

Not going to join the choir concert. It takes over a whole weekend and puts more pressure on the other weekends.

I think DC are old enough to be given money this year so will swap out one present for cash.

I will buy more panetone from lidl.

When doing the photo calendar I will make one for DS (asd).

I'll definatly be starting to buy things earlier this year. I'm due to give birth Christmas week so I want everything bought by beginning of december just in case baby makes an early arrival

We usually host but I'm due our second ds at the end of November so while we may still have the day in our house we will probably let others shop/cook

I’ve booked the whole of Christmas Eve off work. Last year I only took half a day and it was manic trying to fit everything in as I’d planned too much for half a day. I’ve got so much leave to use this year as I haven’t been able to take much time off I’m using it up on my favourite day!

While on lockdown, I’ve set my date to retire.

Less than 3 years now, so everything I do from now on will be part of the plan!

I hope we can still have friends and family members come round, even if we have to have them in various small groups.

I want to get some advance food prep done, make mincemeat for mince pies, make the pies and freeze some. I’d like to make more meals for the freezer as well. I make some dishes for the Christmas lunch in advance, stuffing and a veg dish and freeze. I won’t bake too much as it wont get eaten and I’m on low carb anyway.

I will put up the tree and other decorations a bit earlier this year, but I found last year less is more so will not over decorate! Cards to be written earlier too, I always end up helping DH complete his, even if it’s writing the envelopes. Presents - try and pin down DS and DIL earlier if there’s anything they particularly want so that buying it isn’t a rush.

1. Buy a smaller tree this year. Last years was much wider than I'd anticipated.

1. Buy fewer but better quality gifts.

1. Make mincemeat and mince pies this year. Last year I just bought them from M&S but I think I should make an effort this year.

1. Put the decorations up a week later then usual.

1. Try and enjoy the little moments throughout the season instead of cramming everything into the last week.

1. Don't start xmas too early. Just because you can buy the Christmas candles, chocolates, limited edition booze and beauty products in August, doesn't mean you have to start using them. You are fed up with xmas before Halloween begin so.

1. And don't thing that when Halloween ends xmas starts.

1. Remember there are 12 days of Christmas and 25 of December is only the 1st.

1. Buy a smaller tree this year. Last years was much wider than I'd anticipated.

1. Buy fewer but better quality gifts.

1. Make mincemeat and mince pies this year. Last year I just bought them from M&S but I think I should make an effort this year.

1. Put the decorations up a week later then usual.

1. Try and enjoy the little moments throughout the season instead of cramming everything into the last week.

1. Don't start xmas too early. Just because you can buy the Christmas candles, chocolates, limited edition booze and beauty products in August, doesn't mean you have to start using them. You are fed up with xmas before Halloween begin so.

1. And don't thing that when Halloween ends xmas starts.

1. Remember there are 12 days of Christmas and 25 of December is only the 1st.

we're (hopefully!) having xmas in Wales with another family so this will (in theory!!!) reduce my spending overall...

it won't, I'll be worse

Buy fewer presents for eldest DC (who will be turning 5 at Christmas time) and remind others to do the same.

Last year we didn't actually get him all that much, but the accumulative amount from us and all our relatives was ridiculous. We all agreed it was too much and to focus on one present each next time.

I'll also plan stuff a bit better for my DC, as up until now our Christmases have always been very adult orientated.

I have also been saving £50 or so a month since March so I'll have a nice little pot rather than buying everything in December.

Bump for anyone planning for this year who was on last year

Ooh thank you for reminding me