Tell me what you’ve done already for next Christmas

[HNY2021]

Looking for prepping tips, let’s all hope for a better one next year 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

I write a short post Christmas review for myself - What went well, what I’d do differently next year, what not to get food wise, what we needed more of.
Xmas decs still up at moment. But when I pack them up, I try to box them up logically, rough list of contents, makes it easier to know which boxes to get down from the loft first. Outside lights all together, wrapping and cards, tree decs, light up ornaments, general decs, and so on.
I also have a Christmas card list, who I sent, who I received from. List of presents I bought - so I don’t get the same next year!
Buy a few bits in the post Xmas sales usually - but not this year.
I have a Xmas pudding not used, which I’ll keep for next year.
It all sounds very organised, but in reality I don’t often keep to my plans!

Very organised everyone! I've sorted out the leftover cards and stored together. Ordered wrapping box and will look for any sale offers. If anyone is looking for cards, whistlefish ones were lovely quality and they usually do a good January sale.

Decided to go away next year in our caravan. Just us and the dog in the middle of nowhere.

I’ve started a new list for presents and know what I bought for last year so I don’t duplicate. Not buying any more cards or wrap until ve used up my old stuff but need bags. Usually reuse what I can but less people used bags this year for me to recycle.

I have a new small notebook every year, I wrote present ideas, presents I've bought, what we receive, cards lists to and from.

Then I note what decorations went where if they looked lovely, what to do differently next year.

I note down what we ate and dos/don'ts for next year.

I've listed what I have to make (this year a long coffee table cover, next year a table runner for a new chest of drawers).

I've also binned/recycled old or crap decorations that have broken or are just plain ugly!

We still have Kings Day to celebrate do I have a couple of leftover gifts to give DS on Tuesday evening, after he's left out breadcrumbs for the camels unfortunately no parade this year.

I made crackers on news years Day out of: cut in half pringles tube and wrapping paper. Make little holes around the middle of the cracker so when you pull, it tears on the middle nicely. Big enough to fit in a pen, woolly hat, sweets, jokes etc. Fabulous and I will go them again next year, only out of fabric.

We'd already taken all the past it , scruffy things out last year so didn't have to when everything was put away this time .

I write in my year planner things like "buy batteries" , when to book things .
(If we get a chance to do that in 2021)

I didn't make trifle or buy loads of fridge foods .
Did make 2 cakes (one is wrapped up , plain, one is marzipanned/iced and delicious ) but they'e small ones 6" square . Only I eat them.

I put the leftover The Snowman and M&S Christmas toilet roll in the attic -but I;ll still buy more for Christmas , we use Christmas loo roll all December .

I want a couple more serving dishes , not Christmas ones but just nice table ones .

I’ve written notes to myself on what went right or wrong and what was appreciated and not so much. I find these invaluable a year later when I’ve forgotten that no one eats Christmas pudding.

I also write out any recipes I’ve used or tweaked. And update addresses on my Christmas card list.

I haven’t put the decorations away yet, but when I do, I put them away in order so that I can reach the boxes I need easily, starting with the advent crafts box and ending with the top secret, Christmas Eve props.

Usually I pick up crackers, cards, wrapping paper, a few bargain gifts, turkey foil and Christmas puddings (nicer for sitting around another year) for pennies this time of year.

I have started a shopping list on my phone, and this is the best piece of preparation of all. I put in everyone I have to buy for and any ideas as they occur to me. It’s always with me and easy to check when I spot something perfect or a great bargain. I use the same list for birthdays too. It helps prevent over buying or buying twice for the same person.

A section of my list has reminders by month - sales dates to watch for, or a reminder to buy gingerbread houses as soon as they come into stock. I actually start next years list in September, jotting down sales dates etc then copy and paste in sections of the old list in December (when my Christmas prep is finished) and just delete the irrelevant parts.

And I save throughout the year to ease the pain.

DH puts the little Advent Tree and the Christmas Textiles (in clear space saver bags) nearer to the loft hatch so we know exactly where to find them.
I buy things for my DC Dec 1st Hamper from Sept onwards and hide in my wardrobe .

The Christmas Pudding will most likely get put in the pantry (it;s fine till March 2022) we didn't eat it this year .

Decided which beach (hot one) I want to spend it on (hopefully!)

I feel the need to ask what these "what went wrong" notes in books are!
What went wrong for me this year..... I bought DH some Jurassic park game for his PS4...... he's been on it the whole festive period. Literally took no part in any festivities or Christmas telly. So next year I plan to get rid of the DH

I've bought my Christmas cards in the sale and put them away, have piles of wrapping paper so that will do for next year.

I'm going to clear out a load of decorations rather than put them in the loft, as some are getting quite battered looking.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget you putting the loo roll in the attic reminds me of the year my mum picked it up in m and s for £1 in January... she won’t clear the shelf of a bargain but no one else seemed to notice and she picked a pack up whenever she went in...

Had a party in June and someone was admiring the christmas loo roll we were still using

Actually done? Sweet FA

Mental notes?

Put money by monthly
Make list of things to remember

I write a letter to myself and my family each Christmas and hide it in the decoration box. It makes me so happy reading it each year as I always forget what i've written. Also a reminder of how quickly children grow up!

Started to order some stocking fillers from Amazon

Bought and wrapped all the presents

Bought Christmas paper, reduced to 49p a roll in Aldi. Got a box of crackers, new Christmas table cloth and lovely novelty drinking glasses. I usually buy more but obviously things have been different this year and not much stock left. Now with being in tier 4 I won’t be able to do my usual shopping for Christmas reductions in the shops.

I will start present shopping soon, well as much as I can online. I can usually find a few bargains in January to put away.

I've not bought anything yet but I'm taking note of which things I want to change/keep the same next year. Provided my family are all well etc. I would love to start celebrating the Christmas period from 1st December rather than 17th Dec as we did this year; I've realised that Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas to me without both stockings and church in the morning so those will hopefully happen next year (might look for stocking fillers throughout the year) and I'm going to immerse myself in carols/Christmas music throughout December as I really missed it for a lot of this Dec.

I just took down Xmas cards today and let DS cut them into gift tags for next year and hole punch too so will just need to thread through gold or silver thread for using next year. This year I have not been out do not even got wrapping paper in the sales for next year as I normally do. I did pack 3 new rolls of selotape away in wrapping paper containers though and some scissors. Hopefully make it a bit easier for next year. Our decorations don't come down until 12th night but I will try to wrap lights around piece of cardboard as less tangling.

I've bought some lovely paper and beaded decorations to hang from the ceiling. We will be moving at some point year so new house new decs (to go with decorations I've had since chikdhood).

Cut up my Christmas cards for gift tags.
Packed away the unused crackers and candles.
Packed away Christmassy toiletry gifts to regift next year to work colleagues - ideal gifts for them which I would hsve bought if I had seen them.

Despite already posting on here DH and I do fancy going abroad this year if adult dc don't mind. Nowhere fancy maybe a city break.

I’ve just been packing up the Christmas decorations and had a ruthless declutter. I put up less than usual and the house felt much more peaceful for it. I feel I’ve found the sweet spot.

I’m not sure what to do with the donation bag though. I can’t see a charity shop wanting them in January so I guess they have to go back in the attic. Sigh.

I’ve purchased some bits in the boots sale, stocking fillers for DH & DDs, perfume for my sil & mil, some happy socks in the online sale for DD & some lovely scarfs from love Lolo that are made from recycled plastic. They arrived today and are really soft.
I’ve also restarted Santa’s bag app for 2021. I won’t buy anything for a while now but keeping an eye for ideas.
I love checking the boots sale though they had some decent bits this year.

I now have a list on my phone.

What to buy for DDs next Christmas based on comments while opening presents.

Beginnings of shopping list for good.