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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Show us your your Christmas planner

35 replies

crochetmonkey74 · 10/10/2023 20:47

Was chatting at work earlier and a colleague said she always knew when Christmas was coming as her mum would get her 'Christmas book' out of the drawer next to her bed. It was a small red cover notebook like the type you can buy at post offices and it had each year's planning in it going back a few years. How do you guys plan? Do you have a book? Or a little folder? I want one but don't really know how to do it

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Franticbutterfly · 10/10/2023 21:09

Every year I put a note in my phone about things that worked, what cards and paper I still have, things I want to do with the children, food (what I liked and what I didn't like), where I've put things so I can get them out on 30th Nov...that kind of thing.

TellerTuesday · 10/10/2023 21:23

My boss has one and every year when she tells me about I think what a good idea it is and that I should start that myself, then never do.

She has addresses for cards, list of gifts that she bought & received, food etc and the costs and also what the weather was like on the day.

One year I shall start it

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 10/10/2023 21:35

Yeah I definitely want some sort of paper one as I am not a digital person . I was thinking of printing my own and keeping a little folder

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ChristmasCrumpet · 10/10/2023 21:40

I have had this Cath Kidston one for about ten years and it's all in little segments. I love it. It's like a piece of my life now, looking back over lists of DC presents from when each was a baby.

Show us your your Christmas planner
Squirrelblanket · 10/10/2023 21:43

I have an Excel spreadsheet. Well, several. It's functional but not fancy. 🙂

7Worfs · 10/10/2023 21:49

I have a draft Word file, waiting to be transferred onto a nice book. Sections cover:

  1. Festive food recipes
  2. Festive foods (to buy)
  3. Menus
  4. Ideas for presents -one-offs and repeats (e.g. a particular bauble or an animal figurine in children’s stockings)
  5. List of shops to check out for ideas
  6. Events to attend
  7. Ideas for days out and keeping children busy over the whole Christmas period
  8. Hosting and visiting family, friends, neighbours
  9. A list of who needs a card, a letter, a present, a tip…
CrazyBaubles · 10/10/2023 21:57

I have a Christmas planner and a separate Christmas journal.

Planner is the one below (pic). Has card list with addresses, gift ideas/bought/wrapped and budget. Recipe sheets, monthly calendar sheets, gifts received and a few other things.
I've only had it for 2 Christmases but it's been great dog far.

The journal is just a nice red notebook. Predates my planner so it has a few years of planning noted.
Now I just put in a list of what we bought for people, then a few pages about what's going on in the world, the weather and how we spent Christmas each year.
It's quite nice to look back on Xmas Smile

Show us your your Christmas planner
2jacqi · 10/10/2023 21:59

I would have to do a frontal lobotomy to do that!!

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 10/10/2023 22:02

2jacqi · 10/10/2023 21:59

I would have to do a frontal lobotomy to do that!!

🤣🤣 wrong thread?

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SabrinaThwaite · 10/10/2023 22:05

Who knew this was a thing?

Broodywuz · 10/10/2023 22:05

What an excellent idea, last year I did make a few notes of things to do/not that did or didn't go well last year. It's just on a piece of scrap paper in with the decorations, am actual book would be much better!

TheSpikySpinosaurus · 10/10/2023 22:09

I have a Word doc going back 20 years of what we have bought friends and family and what they bought us...

oneuponedown · 10/10/2023 22:11

You can buy Xmas planners, the last two years I've actually picked up cheap and cheerful ones from home bargains which have done the trick.
Has card and presents lists, food planning, idea of things to do over the festive period, calendar etc x

Thelifeofawife · 11/10/2023 00:25

I have always done a gift and card list on Excel spreadsheets, but I do like the idea of having a little book to note down events, gifts received, etc

soupweather · 11/10/2023 06:42

I just have a note on my phone that I update each year, particularly for food. We don’t eat Turkey so have a different meal on Christmas Day. I always note down what worked and what didn’t and I always have in capitals not to buy too much chocolate!

HappySonHappyMum · 11/10/2023 07:39

An app called Santa's Bag - I have gift lists set up for every recipients but I also have Christmas food, Extras and things todo lists within there which have unassigned years and roll over every year. It's brilliant :)

mondaytosunday · 11/10/2023 08:42

Gosh I now wish I had one from when my kids were born!

Littlegoth · 11/10/2023 08:44

I have a spreadsheet 😬

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 11/10/2023 08:48

I love the idea of having a little ringbinder with each years lists archived etc and all the favourite recipes etc

Digital is not the same for me

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Broodywuz · 11/10/2023 08:50

I agree *@crochetmonkey74 I love a spreadsheet but for this sort of thing there's nothing better than little scribbled notes

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 11/10/2023 10:08

Mine is just an old fashioned exercise book, several years old, and I’m not sure ATM where it’s lurking, but it’s just pages of lists.

What to do, and by when. (Cleaning, decorations, advance cooking, shopping.)

Cards, presents, ideas of what and for whom.

AdoraBell · 11/10/2023 10:15

I have a note on my phone and update it each year. I’ve written what dishes everyone liked, things I want to try and what I bought for DDs and DH the last few years.

IAmHeartless · 11/10/2023 11:32

Oh that looking back at what you bought kids etc sounds a lovely idea! I might start that

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 11/10/2023 11:44

The really simple exercise book is kind of what my colleague was describing- but filled with her mums handwriting. A bit scruffy after years of use, brought out year after year- kept in her handbag from September onwards. Some of the most treasured things I have from my MUm are her handwritten lists and recipes- this sort of thing would be lovely

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