Does such a thing exist as a list of the main Christmas tasks and when one should ideally do them?

[Ultraopaque]

I am determined to "do" Christmas well this year. I have a large extended family and even if Covid wrecks everything I want to be on top of cleaning, house organisation, card writing, present buying, baking etc miles in advance so I can actually enjoy the Christmas holiday this year.

Before I create my own action plan, has anyone created one who would be willing to share?

The organisased mum method / Team TOMM has a week by week planner. It's really helpful, only started this week.

I was going to recommend Organised Christmas too.

Here's the link to last year as I don't think it has kicked off this year yet.

www.theorganisedmum.blog/christmas/

Thats really helpful thank you RunningKatie and Stompy

This is super! I'm determined to make time to enjoy myself this year. I've done a good bit of shopping thanks the awesome bargain thread!

This is the rough version of mine

September:
Start making gift list
Buy advent calendars
Begin to buy gifts
Stock up on stationery for stocking fillers
Smyths sale
Avoca sale
Check and restock - basics (tinfoil, toilet paper, soap, matches, batteries…)
Check and restock - herbs, spices, oils
Make Christmas cake and pudding if making.
Book outings
Clear out toys

October
Book hair apts
Figure out what clothes to wear. Buy anything necessary.
Firm up diary dates as much as possible (carols, nativity, family meet ups)
Pick up Christmas jumpers if needed
Buy pjs
Begin buying Christmas food
Donate old decorations
Check and restock - medicines
Check and restock - store cupboard basics
Shop for new decorations, crib figures

November

Clear out freezer (eat our way through it)
Finalise menus
Begin cooking and freezing single portions for non-Christmas day entertaining
Buy stamps
Write cards in evenings
Book turkey
Book shopping delivery
Black Friday sales
Check guest linens
Check table cloths, napkins
See to any small repairs, decoration, etc if hosting

December

Week one:
Post parcels and cards for foreign
Decorate
Late late toy show

Week two:
Post local cards
Cook sides and freeze
Carol service
Ice cake

Week three:
Check glasses, cutlery, plates are clean,
Christmas order for milkman
Tip postman, binmen, milkman
Eat up fridge
Nativity plays
Baking and crafting with dc
23rd big shop
24th prep, cook ham

Late Dec/early jan

Drop off recycling
Wash and iron napkins and table cloths and pack away
Pack away decorations
Separate any for donation and store separately

Buy wrapping paper, cards, crackers, puddings

Oh I love this! Planning, admin, and Christmas. It's my dream

Terry Wogan always advocated putting the sprouts on around now if that helps 😁

I keep it simple:
October: check who's coming for Christmas, how long they plan to stay and when.

Early November: buy stocking presents and family presents online.
Buy charity Christmas cards
Order turkey
End of November: make Christmas cake and pudding

December week 1: write and send cards. Put up lights and make wreath.
Week 2: plan menus, buy wine and spirits if necessary. Christmas food shopping expedition 1
Week 3: Christmas food shopping expedition 2. Deep clean of house. Prep guest room and make up any spare beds if necessary.
Buy tree and decorate it. Put up indoor decs. Make table decs. Wrap presents.
Week 4 - Christmas!

Well done for getting started early BigGreen!

Wow you sound like a true Christmas professional thelegohooverer .
If that's the rough version I think I would be terrified of the detailed one! That's an impressive list for sure! Thanks for posting. I always hesitate to write my cards in November in case something seismic happens, but I need to change my ways. Are your cakes and puddings ok being made in September (I assume they are!)? Why do you make them so early if you don't mind me asking? Got a wave of nostalgia seeing the late late toy show mentioned there! . Do you replace your decorations every year? Or do you add to existing ones?

Thanks leavesthataregreen yours is very similar to mine. I wouldn't dare leave my deep clean until week 3 of December in case it didn't get done but I suspect your house is a lot tidier and cleaner than mine and doesn't need the full works!

Thanks for the reminder MrsSouthgate

I had a look and I don't think the TOMM list is out yet. Does anyone know when it appears?

OP, I wouldn't dare do the deep clean any earlier as our family have the capacity to muck it all up in three days!

I'm envious of you all with such busy Christmases. Other than buying presents, baking a cake and ordering a turkey, there isnt really anything different to do for us.kids are grown up, siblings all live to far away to visit. I dont do Christmas bedding and stuff and the flat doesnt take much tidying. How very boring we are

@Ultraopaque fruit based puddings and cakes improve with time. My uncle used to get his puddings made in January, so September would be last minute for him. As long as you keep feeding them they are pretty much immortal.

I don’t like a busy December and most years there have been a few nasty bugs doing the rounds in school so I prefer not to leave too much for the last minute. I like to get it all sorted early at a fairly leisurely pace and then curl up with books and hot chocolate instead of battling the crowds in December. But my list could easily be squashed into a couple of weeks instead.

TOMM started last Monday.

No idea how to do clicky links but shall try!

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