How is your planning/prep going?

[Devo1818]

I'm trying to get organised and hoping for a relaxed December.

Done list:
75% gift shopping done
Little bit of wrapping done
Specific list for rest of gift shopping.
Supermarket delivery slot booked
Freezer cleared out
House (mostly) de-cluttered
All activities booked

To do list:
Get decs etc out of loft to check
Complete gift and misc shopping
Write food plan list and update supermarket shop
Wrap rest of presents

Probably more things I will remember along the way. How are you all doing?

(Anyone tempted to respond "nothing, it's October" you really don't need to, the thread isn't aimed at you personally).

Gif a good chunk of Shopping done. Still need to eat our way through the freezer to clear space. Still need to lose weight to fit into a party outfit!
Not doing cards other than family/elderly people who look forward to them.
Not got wrapping paper and need to sort garage top check on wrapping/decorations.
Not bothering with Xmas cake making this year as no one eats it!

Ask again in a month!

I gonna start planning Christmas from 1 December before is too early for me

Oooh excellent thread OP.

OK bought a (very) few pressies - I don't buy for loads of ppl but do buy lots of stuff for my DCs and I am awaiting their lists.
Unsure re Chr cake - last two years we have not finished it, but it has been a popular present (small version).
Advent calendars (for me!) bought (see thread!!)
No activities to book (kids grown up)
Need to order bird
Don't send Chr cards
Not sure where to buy tree as was not super happy with last year's
Lots of paper in loft I suspect

Need to make a Big List

Not much planning needed here.

Holiday booked, no presents to buy and not sending cards - all done.

Done list:

Christmas activities booked: Santa’s grotto, ice skating, afternoon tea etc..

Presents and stocking stuffers: Ordered and delivered

Food: Meal plan and food list made and M&S delivery slot booked

Tree: Fresh Christmas tree ordered to be delivered the first week of December.


To do list:

Wrap gifts

Address Christmas cards

Order a fresh wreath for the door

I don't bother with Christmas cake either, last year had a shop bought dessert which went down well.
Also have bought DC advent calendars but really want a nice one for myself this year, maybe M&S.
Will buy tree on the 30th Nov - we go for Lidl ones and have never been disappointed!

I’ve booked delivery slot for food.
Bought probably 80% of presents
Bought stocking fillers
Already bought biscuits, chocolates and precooked chestnuts.

Waiting for DDs to find out if they can get time off from work and come home. Both at Uni and working in hospitality. If not I’ll post the stocking fillers but not presents as those are bloody heavy for postage.

Yes we usually get a tree from Aldi and they are lovely!

Oh yes, a wreath. Might just get a Lidl one this year too.

2 kids to buy for, stockings nearly complete and done the majority of their small gifts. A main gift each to buy but I know what I'm getting them and thinking it might be worth waiting for black Friday for the eldests main present (a new tablet). Feeling a bit more accomplished but will be happier once I have the food shop booked (hurry up and release your dates tesco!!).

I've done my Christmas and Boxing Day food order (about three weeks ago now). Delivery slots were already full so I'm collecting on Dec 23.
I don't buy many gifts, just my sisters, one niece and my two kids. I've got one sister done, half the other.
My son wants a telescope so requires research!
I've decided my table theme (Nordic white) but the tree has everything thrown on it. I've found the decorations but haven't taken them out of storage just yet.

So far I have bought:

chocolate coins
marzipan
a chocolate biscuit selection box
stollen bites
hot chocolate

i have booked Brunch with Santa, running group Christmas meal and Christmas dinner out

on Monday I will try and grab a sainsburys Christmas delivery slot

present buying will be first week of november

I have ordered my fresh meat/veg box to be delivered Xmas eve

i have bought all kids (-age 24, 19 and 17) presents and gifts for their partners

struggling with what to get dh. Have managed two random books so far which is a bit rubbish

will prob order a hamper for sil to be delivered at some point. We’re not that close any more and I don’t really know what to get them.

will make Xmas cake with dd next week over half term and then spend two months feeding it a bottle of brandy 🤣

i have randomly bought a new furry Christmas cushion for the spare bed

first time ever last year we had lights on the outside of the house and an outdoor out tree which was lovely so looking forward to putting those up again.

will prob start decorating within first couple weeks of December.

I booked winter wonderland.

That's it

I used to have lots done by now, several event, kids present shopping. This year I really am not feeling it yet

Told my mum I'm going there for Xmas - arrival date TBC but I'll doubt have to submit my meal requirements with at least 7 days notice even though she lives in the heart of suburbia and i am more than capable of sourcing anything I need once there
Booked Xmas lunch out with friends for mid-Dec (ok, technically my friend organised this).
Booked a couple of nights away at NY.
Bought 1 pair of PJs to start the present buying.
Xmas tree and decs are in the loft and might stay there as I'm away over the entire festive season.
I'm not sending xmas cards cos of the price of stamps and threat of more royal mail strikes.
It's still the middle of October, I can't believe people are thinking about Xmas so much!! I've still got 4 birthdays to sort before the end of Nov.

Great thread!

Done

• Majority of gifts are bought (not as good as it sounds as we've cut back massively this year to the kids of the family only)
• menu planned
• food delivery booked
• wrapping paper and cards bought (again cutting back on cards, no one seems to send them anymore)
• family and friends lunches/ nights out planned
• new Xmas bedding ordered for DD.

To do

• buy advent calendars
• buy a wreath
• get decs down and put up last week of Dec
• keep updating food order

Reserved a food delivery slot
Booking a Christmas outing with DH and DS
Bought about 4 presents for DS
Bought 1 present for DB

That's it really.

Booked christmas in laws meal
Booked christmas eve/birthday meal for mum
Date in diary to go shopping for advent stuff
Will start in earnest after DS2's birthday on Halloween

You're very organised, OP

I've written a list for cards & presents, ordered the first two gifts and agreed where/when ds will be, with ex. Oh and I've checked the gable lights work.

This half term, I'll buy cards and stamps, sort out the overseas stuff, and plan a menu.

The rest will get done in fits and starts, when I get a spare 5 minutes.

Done
Most of the kids presents - apart from main ones and stockings
Part of DH's present
Researching presents for adults
Activities booked - couple of light trails and santa visit
Bought baby DD a santa sack

To do
Most adult presents
Wrapping- deliberately leaving this until December
Badger DM until she knits DD a stocking

We're going to DM's for christmas so don't need to think about food other than some nice nibbly bits for December evenings, which I'll get at the time.

Booked in at my brother's so no worrying about shopping or cooking .

Agreed no gifts at all (couple of cash gifts for youngsters).

Love sending Christmas cards so looking forward to that.

Probably not much else to do ... never go to paid for events, will enjoy a couple of Carol services.

DH will sort the Christmas tree.

Stress free ...

Further behind but thanks for the thread. Given me a push and have got niece and nephews present ordered and also a couple of others.
food- not really a worry as will be hosted by DM.

waiting on Xmas rota been confirmed so we can also find some time for visits to OH side of the family.

not doing any baking this year. But will pick up some mince pies and other Christmas treats but not too early or I’ll replacing every week 😂

must also test fairy lights. So shall add that to my list 👍

🤣
Yeah, I'm normally way more organised. I bought for DM yesterday. I have 1 DAunt sorted. I have some sewing for a couple of others done.

But if my list of 54 - I think I may have 6 done.

And seriously lacking ideas as well as purchasing time for most of the rest. Including DD16.