what can I and should I get in advance....

[TiredButDancing]

Money is a little bit tight this year and we're hosting christmas for 12 people. I'm looking forward to it but want to be a bit more mindful and also a bit more strategic. eg, for once I am committed to trying to figure out christmas gifts in advance so that a) I can shop around b) not spend too much money because of panic buying!

But what else can I do/buy in advance to make things easier? I've already bought the DC's advent calendars and I'm browsing things like christmas crackers online at the moment.

I'm collecting jars to use for decorations in various ways or in case I get a rush of blood to the head and decide to do any homemade gifts. This gives DD fun christmas activities and also is a cheap way to do decorations etc.

We don't eat turkey so will probably buy meat once I've decided what we're going to have and then stick it in the freezer in advance. Even better, will look out for a deal over the next few weeks.

I guess if I decide what food/snacks we're having now, things that are long life/freezable I can buy over the next few weeks. So that's probably an organisation thing I can get on top of now.

Any other ideas?

I would say the non perishables, if you have room to store. So yes to anything freezable but also shelf stable stuff which depending on your tastes might include things like paxo, cartons of custard, a christmas pudding. But then also loo roll, kitchen roll, tinfoil, baking paper, tape, batteries, bin bags. Drinks. If you have people staying then any little jobs that might need doing (i.e. we need to paint the windowsill in our guest room).

If you send christmas cards then get stamps now if you're not bothered on christmas ones, check addresses now.

I would make a list of non perishables that you will need and then watch out for any that are on offer before December

Can you ask for contributions eg person a bring table crackers, person b bring dessert and person c bring cheese person D crackers and chutney?

Get any alcohol now. Stuff like Baileys will be cheaper. Then get one or two things with each weekly shop, including sweets for stockings. Just don't eat them (says the woman who scoffed a smarties penguin earlier...)!

Make your Christmas cake and Christmas pudding, told in kids to help even tiny ones can help stir stuff in.. I've started buying stuff to taste test.So far Lidl mince pies, great pastry but fill in only OK but DGS loved them.

Things to buy in advance/stock up on that will be likely needed through the season while hosting: batteries, toilet roll,kitchen roll, bin bags, cling film, tin foil, cooking oil, condiments, crackers, chocolates,sweets.

food- Ask in advance of any dietary requirements from your guests incase you need to get alternatives. And decide on your menu for the days your hosting so you can plan what you need to buy. Do a stock take of all items in your cupboards and freezer as you may already have a lot of what you need.

entertainment- ask guests to bring a bottle and offer to have the soft drinks/mixers covered by yourselves. Also will you be watching a festive film, or are you into games? Rather than buying a board game why not plan a quiz. Split your guests into teams and you’ll have a great time.

gifts-to save money, suggest doing a secret Santa amongst the adults, or agree to only buy for children. There’s no need to spend lots of money on gifts, Argos have toys on offer two for £30 or two for £10, boots do 3 for 2 and Tesco currently have their toy sale on.

also, look at your cal fee to see where else you may be spending money over the Christmas period, ie panto, Xmas jumper day, santas grotto, teacher gift (£5 Costa giftcard, nothing more than £5, if at all) x

Meat-wise if you can hold your nerve, Tesco tend to do half price on almost all meat on their butchers counter from mid December.

Also recommend keeping a eye out for half price on their big "Finest" gammon joints which usually drop early / mid November.

Book in a click & collect or home delivery slot now - even if you just use it for stuff like fizzy drinks and non-perishables or store cupboard bits it's a load of stuff you don't need to to schlep back from the shop (I always get all the mixers, cans of fizzy, tins of fruit for trifle, bags of flour etc this way to save me a job).

Meal plan a bit - if you've got family round or dropping in over several days then have a few things stashed in the freezer (I always have soup, cheese scones, clementine loaf cake, sausage rolls). I also find stuff like par-baked rolls can eek out the cheese and pickles etc and last for ages in the cupboard.

Yes to anything freezable. I always buy the meat in offer and freeze it for Christmas.
Booze. All supermarkets start doing offers now so if you know what you are going to need I would wait for an offer and stock up. (Ie baileys in tesco now £13 vs usual £21)
If you are baking, butter and nuts freeze great.
I started adding around £20 to my weekly budget to stock for Christmas. All goes to the cupboard, out of sight.

All really good ideas. Especially all those irritating but expensive non-specific things - batteries, foil etc. Really good idea so starting to add those to my shopping now.

I haven't seen Christmas slots opening up yet but must take a look - assume that will be soon.

On the non perishables, I think the best way to manage that is in a cardboard box in the loft. Otherwise the gannets will get into them....

Don’t worry slots don’t open for weeks yet.
id also keep an eye out for lidl and Aldi “special” isle.so there themed weeks.at the moment they have a Spanish theme.so there is great items that would fit the bill for over the season.lots of great little tapas style bits in their freezer section that would be great to grab when people come to stay or drop by.
and keep an eye out for when halloween is over.the reduced stuff.could anything be applicable for Christmas?
add a few items each shop.and don’t always go to the Christmas bit.there is often the same product for less down the isles just not with expensive packaging!
lots of places have flash sales too.to get rid of space takers for Xmas stuff so keep an eye out.