Anybody following The Organised Mum Method at Christmas?

[AnotherCountryMummy]

Long time lurker but new poster! This is my first thread as I'm feeling very christmassy and in full preparation mode!

This year I am giving the TOMM at Christmas method a go. There's a special Christmas tab in the app with weekly to-dos and we are on week one.

This week I've booked theatre shows for the family and a special concert just for DH and I. I've added local events to the diary and am waiting for dates to be released to meet Father Christmas.

Christmas wrap (brown paper, Christmas stamps and coloured string) is arriving today and I'm planning to wrap presents as I buy them and stash them in my secret attic.

My Christmas planner has made an appearance and I'm making a long list of things to cook and make.

What has everybody been preparing, planning, doing or making?

Exactly the same situation here! Returned to work after baby and have 2 DSDs here, 9 and 12. Its mayhem 😂 I'll take anything to help me get organised.

I don't have the app but I am looking to start getting organised before Christmas so I'll tag along to see what you're all doing if that's ok

You can follow along on Instagram as well.

I forgot to add earlier - for those of you looking for present tracking apps, I use Santa’s Bag - it’s really useful, you can add if presents are ideas, ordered, need wrapping, wrapped etc plus you can mark ones that are stocking fillers. I would really recommend it - and I’ve been through a few on my search for a good one!

I don’t know why but I find the thought of starting Xmas prep this early a bit depressing 😒

@AceSpades54321 then perhaps the 🎅🏼 Christmas Topic isn't the one for you 🤣

I'm backing out slowly too, just not in the right place for it just now. I can't even get my head around Autumn 🍂

I'll be wishing I had been in the mood though 🙇🏻‍♀️

I like the Organised Mum but this plan just doesn't work for me. I used to follow the House & Holidays Plan and then just adapted it and ended up with my Big Christmas List which I use every year.

For me, a lot of the things on the TOMM method are just too late. Panto Tickets we're booked months ago to get good seats on the day we wanted. Hair & Beauty appointments have to be scheduled much earlier and I think the budget should always be the first thing checked.

I follow along on the Facebook page, I don’t have the app.

Well today I'm going to sort through DD1 and DD2's clothes I think!

Get rid of anything too small/tatty, it'll leave them looking bare but I think the days of summer clothes are over so they're only taking up space. I didn't do it last year and they were both given so many clothes/pyjamas for Christmas, it was a nightmare sorting through everything. I vowed to do it early this year

Yes! I've booked our santa visit and looking at other local events.

Our school hasn't listed any Christmas dates yet though. I feel like writing an email saying I need to get this checked off my list 😂

I'm tempted to phone and book our Santa visit too, although wondering if I'll need to pay now for it 🤔

We've got a lot coming up next month and I could do with keeping the cash!

Yes, my dc's primary school is dragging its heels on dates, they clearly aren't aware there's a schedule here 🤣 Meanwhile the secondary dc's school had published dates right to down to Xmas jumper day last term - amazing.

My kids seem to break up super early this year 15th/16th and they're back on the 3rd Jan. I much prefer this than those years when they break up later and the holiday extends longer into the uneventful days of January.

Does this mean I’m behind. I’m iff to check week 1.

How's everyone doing this week?

I've already done a toy cull over the summer but there is a group of them that I really should do something with but cant bring myself. Will need hubby to help! 😂

Not the best. This week is my nemesis. On the upside, week three isn't very taxing because the freezer isn't a problem here - I have three ganets boys keeping on top of the food turnover in the freezer ( left over vienetta - as if!) so I'm giving myself two weeks for the toy and clothing cull.

We started a toy cull but I need to get it out of the house now! Clothes is ongoing for the dc. Will do it again as it's getting colder now so we need to go through long sleeved tops etc.

@FourTeaFallOut thats a good way of doing. I know what you mean about the freezer! I might use it as a chance to try and not buy more freezer stuff for next week so I can defrost etc.

@RunningKatie I don't know if you've ever watched the Home Edit but they talk about putting stuff straight in the car (if you have one!) when bagging things and sorting as if it stays in the house more chance of it not coming out 😂

Yes, I'm doing this! I've booked Santa and a theatre show (and pumpkin picking while I was at it!) I do think it's a bit ambitious to expect schools to know when the nativity will be in the first week of September though!

Budget made today and I've signed myself up to the Yoto player points club as I'm planning on getting DD that as one of her presents.

I posted earlier in the thread but think I've NC since then!

I've sorted through one child's clothes, and have booked brunch with Santa at a lovely local hotel, so it's a start not sure what to do next... Are you all strictly following the plan? I don't even know what's on there, just trying to do things that I left too late last year!

I always start Christmas prep even if just mentally the second week of school being back. I think TOMM is a great cleaning method and I also think nibbling away at Christmas stuff means you get to enjoy the season. I am usually all done Christmas shopping wise by the end of November so that December is leisurely.

I don't know if this helps anyone but we have a menu plan starting the Saturday the children break up from school. I have an google sheets (same as excel) with the menu on and then all the food items, some as buy aheads, some as store cupboard checks that we should already have in and then what I need to get a couple of days before Christmas. It is separated under different headings like fridge or freezer and every year post Christmas we review and say what we liked or want to change for next year. I add notes and then come back to it around this time.

The shopping list doesn't need to be written out, is accessible on my phone if I ever did forget it and I don't need to re-write one every year.

Last year I tried to strictly follow the method and got stressed when I didn't tick it all off! This year I'm being more laid back about it and using it as a check list but not feeling like I need to tick everything off each week - nativity as an example! I'm trying not to look at the weeks in advance though as don't want to get overwhelmed 😂 as it's still only September.

No, but I vaguely follow the Holiday Grand Plan from Organised Home (a US organising system), as I've been following that for about 15 years now.

I never manage to do the entire "deep seasonal clean" of the house - but every year I manage some deep cleaning (cleaning windows or getting rid of cobwebs as spiders settle to hibernate) and annual maintenance jobs (like getting chimney swept or clearing gutters).

And every year I manage some of the seasonal prep jobs over the autumn, getting quietly organised for the actual festivities and also for keeping the family going when the madness of December comes (putting a few lasagnas or other easy meals in freezer for easy dinners etc).

But I learned over time to not stress about doing everything on the plan - that week or at all. Some are not relevant to our house/family/traditions. Some years have more going on so capacity for extra things is reduced (can be money, time, family events etc or combinations that cause it). So do what works for tou. Get a bit ahead where you can to relax and enjoy the festive season. But don't make the plan to help reduce the chaos cause you more stress.

Okay, all the clothes are done. Toys in the youngest's room are culled...just the deep breath playroom to go.

I think we'll all get standard chocolate advent calendars this year so no rush on that front. I do need a gluten free one for ds though - preferably one that doesn't have gluten free emblazoned over the entire front on the picture - so I will be keeping my eyes peeled from now.

I've got a (totally unnecessary but still amazing) Christmas planner coming tomorrow - so that'll be ready for week 4 and budgets and list making.

It's annoying I can't tick off week 1 because our school doesn't release nativity dates yet! One of those things you just have to sort out then the letters come home.

However, clothes cull is complete - as is toy cull. Got loads of stuff to leave out for charity collection this week.

I have ticked the box anyway so I can get the sticker 😂 By way of compromise, I have put a note in my diary to check in October. How are you going otherwise?