xmas tips to help with the day run smoothly.

[ChristmasSendsMePsycho]

I just put a tip on another thread and thought of maybe doing a thread on them all (altho sorry if that has already been done)

my tip........make a list of all the jobs that need doing on xmas day to ensure it runs smoothly, and then tell everyone/ask everyone if they would all mind choosing (at least) one each to do and then tick it off once done.

Alchol & lots of it

she does that already Scooby

Don't have a set plan - tis like labour - if you don't plan it, you don't get all frantic and disappointed when it goes tits up

ah now alcohol is not a tip......tis essential

my tip- go to your mothers house and get her to do it all!! haha!! no...seriously....um.....er.....

erm....seriously, when the kids open the presents make a note of who got them what for thank-you's after xmas as kids tend not to read labels and will then forget!!.....and try to (when kids can read) get them to open one at a time and read who its from first, thry appreciate it more.....

oh and keep a few bin liners in the living room for the wrapping paper!!

another one......always make sure you have a spare pressie under the tree saying 'especially for you' for the maybe instances of forgetting someone.

make sure it is a universal/non gender specific one tho, and also one you can keep/re use should you not need it after all.
I'm gonna do a book voucher cos should it not be needed, I will take great pleasure from it myself after xmas!!!!!

Don't forget its just another bloody day .

The Queen isn't visiting.

You're not in the finals of Masterchef.

Or modelling for the Family of the year catalogue!

Try not to stress.

lol flame.....me thinks me will have to do TWO spare pressies then (or even three with one adressed to me from me to ensure I get the perfect xmas gift should Mr Psycho carry out his threat to buy me new pots n pans)

Before you wrap presents open the box and take all that bl**dy annoying plastic straps, wires etc of so you don't have a frantically over excited child bouncing in front ogf you whilst you try and get new toy out of box.

CV....GOOOOOOOOOOD tip!

HATE HATE HATE those plastic ties. am sure that the job description for that jobs reads.....

"only apply if you enjoy the sadistic thought of making parents swear lots while trying to do something nice for their kiddies"

and am bloody sure they do it extra tight while also adding sharp edges to ensure the maximum pain to fingers.

sadists am sure (or, maybe well trained in torture technics)

Keep at least one present, wrapped to the whole family, until later in the day - a board game is a very good idea, so that you've got something new to do together after you're stuffed on choc and can't face grandma or grandad singing Jingle Bells (or worse- In The Bleak Midwinter) again - or you want an excuse to miss Her Madge on the box. Choose something multi-age appropriate like Pictionary or Cranium.

Oh - and try and get everybody outside for a quick walkies, even if you haven't got a dog and even if it's just down the road and back. Amazing what fresh air can do.

At some point in the day, leave them all to it and disappear for a loooong bath with (hopefully) all your lovely new bubbly stuff.

Get pissed

If you peel veg on Christmas eve and put it in saucepans of water overnight is it ok the next day or does it go all funny?

Went to do the removal of ties thing before wrapping up DD's present last night only to find it was SCREWED to the cardboard box wtf surely this is taking things to far!!

so spare batteries and a screwdriver in case others are not prepared for the nightmare that is childrens toy packaging

santasetc.....yup, fine to do just refresh the water, and also make sure all the veg is covered in water too as I have made that mistake before and it does go brown otherwise.

Thanks Psycho - Am going to amaze myself with my organisational skills this year and do veg on Christmas Eve then.

good plan!

or, do as I do a get tesco or M&S to kindly prepare them for you in the way of their ready done veg

Ah yes, I've heard of that service but think I'm too late round here to order it for Xmas from M&S. Someone I know got the last pick up slot.

Delegate well in advance

I have delegated the following:

Starter - MIL is bringing smoked salmon, my brother is making his famous game terrine

Ham - My dad is bringing

Mince Pies and Brandy Butter - my mum bringing

Champagne - FIL bringing

Xmas Pud - SIL

Crackers - SIL No2

Have yet to devise something for my brother's gf and my niece.

Dh is doing wine
DD is setting table (at her request)
Ocado are delivering the food apart from the turkey which I will get from butcher.

DH and I will peel stuff in the morning

Then there is sod all to do really!

Everyone pitches in with the washing up that won't go in dishwasher.

Piece of piss

that should be slurp not slur

tesco is ready and and ordered and and is gonna be delivered friday 21st. am hoping that any dates will be long anough but need it for then as am having lots people round from the saturday.

M&S am gonna brave myself for the special little extras if time is available, and finances too.

if all else fails, MIL and SIL are ready and willing to top up my shopping for me as they been really good since the car accident at helping out with the heavy/long walk/ driving stuff!

countessD.....you sound amazingly well prepared......

Well I am a project manager!

I work and can't face the thought of doing it all myself tbh!

The night before if you've time chop up a pile of fresh fruit & get it covered quickly in dilute apple juice!

At some point during the day -we find in front of a new DVD helps- give it to the kids with a glass of milk/juice/water. Just helps a LEEETle bit in redressing the balance of all the crap...thus preventing sugar crash just about the time when you're all,too stuffed & pished to cope with it!!