TOMM Christmas Countdown

[StrictlyAFemaleFemale]

Hello
Is anyone else doing TOMM this year? There weren't any takers on the prep thread. Would anyone be up for keeping each other company or holding each other to account?

I've not tried it before but think I might this year, do I just download an app to follow?

I follow it in principle as I do like to be organised, but I think some are going g totally OTT, moaning because there's not enough Christmas stuff in the shops etc.
I have somehow ended up with the OMM christmas page on my FB feed and I am a bit 😐at the proud declarations of 'no tat' posted at the same time as Christmas pyjamas, elves and all sorts of stuff that falls very firmly into the tat category in my world.
Yes I want to be organised and avoid last-minute rushing around, but do I really want to be the type of person who is so ahead that there's nothing yet in the shops to buy?

No idea what TOMM is so no idea

I like her cleaning schedule, so might have a look! I was v organised and looked in the post christmas sales. I only got dcs some Christmas pj's (yes, it is tat I suppose but meh) for a song in m&s. They look like nice pj's and they'll get some wear out of them when I dig them out in December

I’ve never done it but would be up for giving it a go. There doesn’t seem to be anything for this year on the website yet though?

The organised mum method. The last chapter of her book is a 13 week Christmas plan so that you're ready for Christmas by 1.12.

I don't have the app. I just copied it into a notebook.

I see your point about saving something for later. She doesn't actually specify a time for buying gifts though, does she? Right now it's making space in the freezer, cleaning out toys, making space, putting dates in the diary.

I’ve got her book on audible but I don’t think I’ve listened to the last part about Christmas.

Yes I'd like to join! I follow it but not strictly as certain things don't apply. Some are good though - this week it's looking at stuff in your freezer and deciding what to keep or throw out then defrosting the freezer if need be!

I think @Katypp is looking at the Facebook group for TOMM which is full of posts of what people have bought etc rather than just for people following the tasks. It can be a bit overwhelming.

@PumpkinSpicedTea yes that's right. I think the method is great, but I am sick of reading great long lists of Christmas stuff done so early (some have even wrapped their presents). To me, the point of OMM Christmas is to get those jobs you always forget in hand early on so you can enjoy the nice bits, not to treat the whole thing like a military campaign to get the whole thing finished three months in advance!

@Katypp and @PumpkinSpicedTea what do say to a TOMM OG thread?

So far we have gone through the freezer and found lots of green beans, edamame beans and chicken skewers. Have booket ballet tickets because we live in Denmark where they dont have pantos. Had a bit of a clear out of toys. Still trying to persuade DD to part with the brio tracks and trains.

I'm in, although I don't follow it exactly, more in a vague getting sorted type of way.
So far I have cleared the freezer (by default, my autistic daughter left it open and everything defrosted), got/identified most of the stocking fillers, will probably not book anything this year, ordered a new wreath for our door from Balsam Hill (had my eye on one for years but have a new front door this year!)
Still need to decided style/colour of decorations/table as we have completely changed the downstairs since last year. It's a decision we will live with for years as my decs come out every year) so once we have decided, I will look at what we already have and plug any gaps/charity shop the remainder.

I am, I made last year very hard for myself by leaving everything until near December, missed out on lots of stuff we wanted to do because it was all sold out and didn't get the decorations up until about a week before! Never again!

Yes I'm certainly up for it! Been through my freezer and haven't ordered any freezer food in this week's shop!

The toy cull from last week has been hard. I've got bags and piles of stuff in our study. I've uploaded some toys to Facebook but no interest yet 😆

@Katypp you've just reminded me that I need to identify a new space for my Christmas tree this year as we got a new big corner sofa in January and had to reorganise our living room 😬

@Frodedendron last year was the first year I felt more relaxed about the run up to Christmas having organised a lot of things. As we've established it's not about buying presents and stuff early which is good.

One of the weeks in November is for writing your Christmas cards which I did do but felt strange as that's usually a Christmas music and Christmas tree job but it was good knowing that when December came I had them all done.

Wreath arriving today. Christmas decoration colour scheme decided (staying with traditional red, green and gold/bronze) after a brief swerve of considering silver /grey / white. Our new colour scheme in the house is grey/cream so I thought a more modern festive decor might work but was worried it might date so stuck with classic.
Have come up with a couple of ideas for impossible relatives, so am cracking on here!

I defrosted the freezer at the weekend then realised it was a job for this week so ticked that off! I've got the app and all the weeks are on, but I rarely manage to tick everything off in order.
I shall try again this year!

@RunningKatie I have a tidy mind so would have liked to have ticked them off in order but not everything is doable on the specified weeks, it's too early to book train tickets or some event tickets yet and the school hasn't announced its nativity (are they not fans of TOMM or something?!).

I've just started a spreadsheet (any opportunity) for gifts and also slowly working through the freezer contents, I was glad of the prompt as I'm bad for putting things in and forgetting about them.

@Katypp ooh what wreath have you gone for?

I also wanted to tick each week in the order but I think it'll be easier for me to move about a bit so things still get done.

@PumpkinSpicedTea this one https://www.balsamhill.co.uk/p/white-berry-cypress-foliage

Ordered the festive diffuser refills today too

Personally I let my freezer run down in December. It helps save money on groceries and naturally makes room without being a job as such. The big defrost and clean is something I save for a mid summer heatwave.

I’m going to take notes of these things as I go so that by next year I have my own personalised plan of action.

Tomm in a nutshell so far:
Week 1
Get dates for school events and book time off if necessary
Sign up for priority delivery Christmas slot
Book tickets to see Santa sand research events

Week 2
Toy clear out, sell or donate
Book hotels and travel tickets
Book pet sitters if you are going away
Arrange dates to see friends

Week 3
Clear out freezer
Advent calendars

Week 4
Budget, allow for extras
List who you need to buy for