How far have you gotten along?

[Tinypantherinmyheart]

I've done two presents and bought a set of Christmas cards.

We're in October now! By gentle persuasion I found out what two relatives would like for Xmas, I'm not buying tat anymore, I want to get them something they like or need.

So my checklist would be:
20 cards to write
8 presents to buy
Told friends budget of £10 for any presents we get each other. E.g. a friend likes ground coffee so I'll get him a cafetiere and bar of dark chocolate which I know he likes. I want a mini mac lipstick.

I've bought my Xmas present from my family so will just ask for money back

Sound a bit ruthless, don't I. But the older I get the more I want to give something useful rather than random.

Anyway how are you all getting on, progress?

Non-perishable food (all the chocolate, basically), panettone, booze, crackers, cards, wrap, tags, ribbons, decorations - sorted. Presents - DS stocking and all but main present done (he is getting a new x-box ahead of Christmas by prior agreement, so his main present won't be massive. DH - mostly done. Relatives - 8 sorted, 5 to go. I am determined to be done by the end of October!

Santa shop is fully done, have presents for my nephews, my dp, dsis and dbil and Dsil.
Only need to buy for my parents and brother and top up dps stocking with a few small things.
Might buy a small freezer on my next pay day (we dont have one atm) and buy a Turkey and a few frozen bits after that just incase. Would buy tins of chocolates but I'd probably just end up eating them before hand.

Havent found any wrapping paper in the shops yet though so I dont have anything wrapped.

-Updated the Christmas planner in late September and planned events, budget, wrapping and decor themes
-Checked over Christmas clothing and washed and re-packed away

• Purchased wrapping supplies, labels, extra sellotape
• Written gift labels
• Purchased DCs school cards, neighbour and family cards and stamps
• Planned event and Christmas week menus and created shopping list and purchased first few non perishable bits
• All friend and family presents and most stocking bits purchased, other than adult in-laws
• Booked babysitter and (in hope of no lockdown!) booked a restaurant for DH and I for after a late night Christmas shopping trip in early December
• Planned Christmas week craft activities and outings and purchased supplies for those
• Booked pre Christmas haircuts and beauty appointments (again in the hope of no lockdown!)
• Decluttered toy cupboard and wardrobes and charity shop drop
• Decluttered one room. I try and do one and week between now and end of November and then deep clean before the decorations go up.

About 85% of purchasing done. The rest is activities we enjoy anyway as part of the Christmas run up e.g. delivering neighbour cards and gifts, picking out new Christmas cake decorations, making the gingerbread house etc

This sounds so ridiculous written down - but DH and I work 45 hours plus each a week and Christmas is a big thing in our house. I also very much enjoy all the planning