Oh goodness. OK disclaimers: ds1's birthday is in December do I ahve that to sort as well, plus my timings are often dd because as i said, I only get p[aid once between now and then, and also things like decs go up early for ds1's birthday OK?
Right....... August (don't shoot me!)
Start amking lists of things I know I have to get- eg, if tehre's anythng particualr someone wants or ideas I may have ahd during the year.
By September: aim to have chosen main gifts for the boys, discussed with aprents and In-laws (FiL and stepmum) what theya re getting, sisters will also have e-mailed same questions so Will need to have a list to answer them.
End September / Start october:
MASSIVE AMazon shop, mainly so I can my text books at the smae time and save on postage LOL! Cover all books, DVD's etc as they ahev let me down in the past if ordering in november.
october- order any meat, from Butchers or M&S. I don't always cook chrsitmas day, but i do contribute say, a dessert and will often cook Boxing day for FIL.
Order any presents that i'm getting mail order- eg personalised gifts. make sure wrapping apper stocks etc are up- we always wrap gifts as they come in, as it is a chore we both loathe. As they're old enough now they're each getting a pre-filled stocking from Hawkins bazaar on their beds as wella s the normal gifts.
October half term- write out all the cards, make a list of what's still to buy for gifts. make sure any decorations etc are already bought. make cake. make menus for any special meals I am in charge of, or anything i am contributing- eg to Mum's dinner, or school gatherings. make large amounts of cakes for school autumn fayre.
November- a busy month for us as we are involed in PTa and carnivals back home, so we try and leave the month light as we know its really a write off. Pick up teahcers gifts and order the Oxfam / Unicef gifts we give teaching staff.
December- 1st- tree and decs up for the birthday boy. cards go out, or they get forgotten under the birthday cards and thank you's etc
At this point I keep an eye on our riverford scheme as we needto otrder Christmas veg etc early, they close the orders earlier at Christmas.
3rd- his birthday
by the 10th ALL gifts ahve to be in place! I always ahve a batch of assignments to complete for the 8th or thereabouts, and Dh isn't allowed leave in December. cake iced.
We ahve a silly stocking tradition in our house (well, mums)- we each ahve a stocking into which everyone else palces a gift under £1 and funny (eg bottle openers that make silly noises). We buy all the stuff for this in one trip, and maybe have a nice lunch out (probably just Dh and I).
15th or thereabout- new outfits and new pj's for the boys, everything wrapped, ready to go. Concentrating on baking mince pies, making crackers, chutneys etc. Ice cake.
20th- big shop yto get everything in, lots of time as one of us is gluten free so it does ahve to be a bit mroe planned- i prefer to do alone if Dh babysits.
help boys to make gifts from them or wrap any, all thats ort of thing.
24th- mum gets up at six am to buy her fruit and veg before the rush which apaprently starts at 8am! We apck up the car, go to Church, then head down to Somerset where we all take over a restaurant for a huge family get together )big fmily!). may stay at mums and celebrate there, may come back Christmas Eve- I cant drink as PG. Won't know ofr a while fo Dh working, always ahs Chrsitmas off as newspapres dont go to rpess that day, but 50/50 for Christmas day (he works nights, so goes in 8-ish).
That's about it- its not difficult and always seems to work.