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).

Although mince meat from 2017 batch is matured nicely for this year!

Done:
Bought all of DS's presents
Ordered turkey and a dessert.

To do:
Buy DH's presents
Wrap presents (plenty of paper in the attic so don't need to buy any.)

That's about it. I can't think of anything else. I like a stress-free life.

I have booked the trip to take DDs to see Father Christmas.

About 80% of gift shopping is done. All presents for the children in the family and my parents, just need to sort DH and a couple of siblings.

Wrapping paper bought and cards bought.

Christmas cake made so I'm just feeding it with booze every two or three weeks up until December when I'll ice it.

Christmas PJs for DDs bought (second hand from Vinted but they'll still be excited to wear them).

To do:

All the food shopping!
Finish off the last of the present buying.
Wrapping....but I like doing this in December with Christmas music playing

Normally done loads by now but this year it's all in bits and pieces, have now bought DS main part of their family present.DH and I have only been spending 2-3 days a week together and from the next weekend (not the one coming) we'll be together for at least two weeks so I'm hoping to get things more organised. We're not at home for Christmas for the first time in how long.

Luckily we haven't put the Christmas decorations in the loft and as DH will be recovering from a heart op I'll be able to put it out,

Done:
Bought DS and DD2's main present and have agreed DD1's presents (they're all adults/late teens so don't have to factor in Santa) but we do still do stockings.

I've bought a few stocking bits and pretty much know what I'm getting for everyone's stocking fillers.

I bought wrapping paper and cards in the Christmas sale.

Started the Christmas cake fruit and I'll bake it after half term. Will also make the Christmas puddings on the same day.

Ordered my turkey etc from the butcher.

Organised a shopping trip with my DDs.

Organised a Christmas light trail.

Booked accommodation for between Christmas and New Year when SIL hosts her family party.

Booked my nail appointment.

Actually feeling quite prepared looking at that list

I’ve been saving up clubcard vouchers to spend in December so we can save a bit of money. I’m up to £14 now, riches! We’ve done some gift shopping but not much more.

Booking in appointments like hair and nails - good one. Not sure if I will this year, I think its only a work Christmas party I've got planned, the rest is all days out with the kids type stuff. Will probably need a haircut though and it'll be busy!

Bought the last stocking fillers today, reusable ice cubes.

Need to ask DDs about advent calendars, can’t afford any other than chocolate calendars this year so if they don’t want them I won’t bother.

I’ve decided what I’m buying for DH but that has to wait until November.

done-
Pretty much finished DS, just want to get him some new trainers and a track suit I’ll get from the outlet place next month.

-all of dp’s present are upstairs hidden away
-mum is sorted
-2 x pantos plus Santa train booked
-hair appointment has been booked since feb 🙈
-going aunties for Xmas dinner so don’t have to worry about that

Still to do
-wrap presents
-secret Santa for the work girls (£25 budget)
-find something for my dad that is equally as good as my mums gift (tickets to go and watch Pink next year!!)

•Most presents bought/ lists written for remaining ones.
•Santa visit etc booked
•I started adding chocolates and other Christmassy treats to the food order each week, last month so there’s a decent stash already (that keeps getting dipped). We’re due DC2 in mid December so I’m expecting quite a few people to be popping in over the festive period so wanted a decent stash of snacks etc to offer.
•A friend and I are going to make our own fresh wreaths at home in late nov/ early dec (will buy materials as our Christmas gift to each other), so I’ll collect foliage/ buy bits from florist nearer the time.
•DC’s Christmassy bits are bought (pjs, jumper, socks etc)
•Meat will be ordered from butcher when booking opens
• I try to make cards with toddler DC each year - got all the stuff but haven’t made any progress yet
Feeling quite in control at the moment 😬

Oh my life, nothing, but this will help me make a list! We moved into a new house in August and are sloooooowly finishing all the rooms. The aim is to have it all done by late Nov and I will then be in Christmas mode but I guess maybe some stuff needs to start earlier!

Most presents bought.
Stockings for 2 adult dd done ( homemade fabric bags so we don’t confuse dgc)
Wrapping paper sorted but need to buy ink pad for stamping.
Cards and stamps bought.
Cake made.
Pudding bought from local business who supply Fortum & Mason.
Flavoured gins in Kilner jars.
Jamie Oliver’s “Get ahead gravy” made and in freezer.
Ditto for veggie gravy.
M&S order done.
Alarm set in diary for 6am 15th November for Tesco delivery slot. ( Only supermarket who deliver in these ‘ere parts!)
2 tins of sweets bought for annual dancing in the streets on Boxing Day.
Lebkuchen and disgusting cheese footballs bought.
Tickets booked to take dgc to Panto.
Freezer still to be tidied and random unmarked food to eat/ discard.
Theme for sunroom chosen and wallpaper bought.It’s traditional to have a new theme every year, it’s where we have Christmas lunch.
Need to fold approx 150 paper cranes as bunting in sunroom.
My lovely MIL died here at home in August so we are having our first Christmas without her. ( That’s 50 years for me). I need to think how DH will be feeling and not go overboard whilst still thinking of dc (adults) and dgc.

I think thats all folks!

@PicsForCliques
Make your dad fake tickets for Pink and stamp VOID on them…his present can be not going!

ROFL

Booked food delivery slot
Booked all activities
Bought 80% of gifts
Wrote a Christmas card list
Done a packing list
Bought all holiday clothes
Settled on Christmas table & bought what was needed
Booked airport parking
Bought Christmas Day oufits for me & DDs
Planned menu

TO DO
Get gift wrap
Buy & write Christmas cards
Buy DS’ Christmas Day outfits
Wrap presents
Add to food shop list
Buy alcohol
But outdoor lights
Get trees & decs down from the loft

Usually I like to start in September but its been chaos here with renovation works. We've spoken with rellies and have decided who's going where for Xmas, my Mum is not eating with us so we can have a takeaway curry as normal. We were homeless last year so plan to host a party either Xmas Eve, Boxing Day or NY Eve.

Giftwise, I have planned what I'm getting family but not bought anything yet. Struggling with ideas for the DC.

Done
booked delivery slot
booked hair appt
booked or put in diary any activities
planed menus and alternative menus (not sure where we will be spending Christmas this year due to hopeful house move - we may or may not be hosting)
bought non perishables
bought the majority of presents

To do
decide where we are spending Christmas Day
fresh food shopping/put on delivery
finish present shopping
put up decorations
wrap presents
write Christmas cards
post small number of Christmas card and hand deliver the rest

For outside of household: 95% of gifts purchased, 80% of those wrapped and 70% sent overseas by surface mail. Rest will be bought, wrapping finished and all despatched by mid November.

For household: 50% gifts hunted, gathered and secreted away or awaiting delivery. Wrapping, ribbons and tags aplenty from previous years. Rest of gifts decided on.

Wrapping to do end of November and throughout December over a few sessions with carols, twinkly lights and festive drinks. It is quite enjoyable compared to wrapping overseas stuff in September.

This years trees and trimming themes decided on (not buying new, we have lots we mix and match with and make/craft some bits).

Christmas cake design and Yule log design decided.

I’m currently changing my mind back and forth on various festive menus. No food ordered/bought yet, I’m overseas and it’s towards end of November when things appear in shops, order forms available.

I need to buy the ingredients for the cake, pudding and mincemeat soon, I make those last week in November.

Need to buy advent calendars. Except for the beauty ones they are not in stores here yet. Think cheaper choc ones this year.

I’ve decided on my outfits for Christmas day. Ordered a new skirt which should arrive next week and will need new lounge wear for the morning this year, need to start looking soon as want a specific style and colour.

I’m supposed to be having a Christmas planning intermission for Halloween and Bonfire nights and here I am reading the Christmas forum. I like to have most done apart from the grocery shop by 1st week in December so can enjoy the season.

I have started picking up a couple of little sticking type bits, and a good list for others. I have a Christmas savings thing that I can access from November so save the big spends until then.

Booked huge turkey from m&s.

We get a tree second weekend in December normally, so around 2 wks before Christmas. From a local tree place that is always reliable.

Oh and pantomime booked

Not really done any! Ive birthdays before Christmas so I focus on those. it’s easier now. Only two of us and child free but with large extended families. The kids in the family are older so get money or vouchers. Other adults are easy to buy for and I only buy for a small number of close friends.I’ve started browsing for ideas. That’s it 😬

I work a lot of it ( healthcare) so we don’t need in terms of loads of food as I’m not home.I do pick up snacks bits through end November/December so we have them in but they last ages!

We do a couple of days/meals out and catch up with families and friends too but it’s all very relaxed. It’s a lovely time with little stress.

Started buying gifts and srocking fillers. Made Christmas cake. Bought Advent calendar and wrapping paper. Will make own wreath nearer the time.

Mine took a step backwards today when DS announced at 8.30 this morning that he wants to take in sweets for everyone in his class for his birthday (today). So 5he cloth calender that I'd filled with packs of haribo got ransacked.

I've got 80% of the kids presents, but nothing for any adults yet, also haven't confirmed where we're going or who we're seeing yet. Normally we get invited by both sides of the family and end up spending half the day driving round trying to see everyone, so not mentioning it and kind if hoping we might get to have a quieter one.

Pretty much done.

Obviously, decorations still need to go up 1st Sunday of Advent.

Cards will need sending.

I might be hosting on boxing day (tbc)

Just the dreaded twitch to contend with 😬😃

Not much.

Done:
Bought some chocolates etc. for gifts
Ordered gift for husband yesterday
Ordered some new cushion covers

Planned:
To buy missing bits for gifts
Buy Christmas cards for family and neighbours
Send parcels to parents and sister by mid-November

FIL is hosting us this year so for a change I don't have to do all the cooking. I will buy some nibbles, bake a pie and make one or two dishes.