Organised Christmas people - tips for next year!

[1AngelicFruitCake]

Please help
No matter how hard I try I still seem to be shopping last minute, wrapping on Christmas Eve, not having spare presents for neighbours who pop round. What are all of your secret tips? I’ve never shopped in September for example but should I?

@Whatliesbeneath707

This is a great thread OP. Can I ask how do people save for Christmas? Do you estimate how much you need and just set aside so much each month into a normal bank account? Does anyone do anything different- do those specific Christmas savings plans work or I've heard of people buying Amazon vouchers too. Any good suggestions?

I work out how much i need for my own kids' Christmas and try and save towards that at the start of the year. I then keep an eye out for bargains and try and get it bought without denting my savings so as much of my savings is there for next year.

I added up my receipts from last Christmas and divided it by 10 (started a bit later last year) but this year I can do it over 12 months.

This is interesting! I do it the opposite way on and save the most I can without going without or scrimping in other areas.

Then how ever much I have by November I divvy up and decide how much I’m spending on everyone.

This year I started putting aside treats and dry goods like crisps, chutneys and crackers and nice biscuits early on in Dec. Then did the drinks the following week. Meant it was easier to do a last shop without everything to get and it felt less pressured.
I ordered my main meat from the butcher.
Froze nibbles and things like pigs in blankets agin few weeks ahead. Just left the cheese and fresh veg and desserts.
Next year I’m definitely buying and wrapping earlier that is my nemesis.
I’m also cutting down on the fiddly crap with the Dinner as others have said and just do Turkey, stuffing, roasties and 2/3 veg.

Keep a list on your phone of present ideas so that when family/friends drop hints or express an interest in things during the year you remember them.

@fallagain is TOMM Christmas a book? I haven't bought her books but am v interested in Christmas being less frantic.

Start whenever you see stocking or small gift ideas on sale and stash them. Put money away every month.
Cut up this years cards to make next years gift tags.

[quote Apparentlystillchilled]@fallagain is TOMM Christmas a book? I haven't bought her books but am v interested in Christmas being less frantic.[/quote]
Its in her organised mum book but if you search around Pinterest or internet you can find copies of the list

I tend to keep lists in my bullet journal which works really well for me, although have now just bought a specific journal to dedicate to Christmas and bdays planning.
I keep a list of ideas for gifts as Dc mention things or I think of them through the year, then tick off when bought and then compile a final gift list.
I start early - as in I have already now got a lot of my things for next xmas after hititng the sales online! I have got the bulk of dc stocking fillers (rex london, lisa angel, bloom all have great sales on)
Have got all my wrapping paper and cards, christmas pjs bought and in xmas eve bags.
then will get main gifts as I go through the year.
Wrap things in stages, all done by begining Dec
mostly all on line - so mucheasier.

I buy small things and bargains through out the year , i never buy generic gift set type gifts but aim for more unusual / tasteful token gifts.
Places like homesense are great for this kind of thing ,apart from the fact that you have given something lovely no one is going to know how little you have paid.
I am not mean but cannot stand the commercialism of christmas and much prefer to give and receive just a token gift .
As it gets nearer i make a list of what i am giving to who.
I don't buy many cards but aim to stock up on tissue paper and christmas paper that i can use all year ie plain gold in the sales.
I get the main parts of the meal such as meat early, usually autumn and freeze them.
My big kids like cash and my young one is very easy to please which makes it easier to buy through the year ,not so easy when they are younger and ask for specific toys etc.
Over the last few years i have thought about buying gift cards monthly for the shops i like rather than saving cash which is very easy to dip into !

oh and yes, agree with pp - things paacked away carefully in labeled bags. So - one bag for Christmas bedding, one for lounge/dining room decorations, one for advent/elf stuff, one for tree decs, one for wrapping etc. I also note what I have in each bag in my notebook and then note ahead in my bullet journal when to get each bag down from the loft.
I have a space in the gagrage where I store extras of food etc so I start buying some bits from about Oct - such as tubs of chocolates, crisps, breasticks, snacky bit, crackers, baking ingredients, mince meat etc so have all that wort of thing by begining dec.
always order Morrisons food to go and reserve pick up slot for early on 23rd. Also book online shopping order to arrive evening of 22nd for drink and other bits. (I note in my bullet journal when the slots get relaesed so I remember to book them)
I plan various baking on the weekends in December - again I note this in my bullet journal ahead of time - eg mince pies, cookies, florentines, fudge etc and freee some stuff for later such as minc pies.
Christmas cake is made around october half term, then fed weekly till I ice it usually second week of December.

I really have to be this organised as I get so stressed otherwise. I have 6 dc and work full time (and only me to do all of the Christmas prep) Although dc are now mostly older (23 - 13) being organised was essential when they were all little and the only way I survived December at all!

I used to find the food shop the worst part as the busy atmosphere just makes me feel like I can’t think. For years now I have 2 saved ‘core’ food shopping lists that have things we always want/need.

One is for non perishables that I can buy from Oct in our weekly shop and put away. Things like: chutneys, chocolate, alcohol (and alcohol gifts), biscuits for cheese etc.

One is for all the perishables. All the veg, fruit, favourite cheeses, creams, herbs etc.

Once you’ve done the lists once you can just add the extras that change year by year but you’ve got a basic list to start you off and you’re less likely to forget someone’s ‘essential’ Christmas favourite.

Use you’re phone for everything as it’s probably with you most of the day. Set phone reminders for things like food ordering slots opening or for Christmas events ticket sales. Make notes of present ideas when you think of them, when you buy them and where you’ve hidden them. If you use the same recipe for something every year, make a note of the recipe and add all the ingredients to your shopping lists.