Planning ahead for Christmas

[rhubarbhandsoap]

I love this Christmas board!

Fellow Christmas lovers - this is my first year of super-early organisation and I am loving it!

Please share, other than gift buying, what else do you do / buy / plan / organise ahead, and when do you do it?

I've started looking for a new living room Christmas tree this week, I'm planning on moving our current living room one into the bedroom and getting a nice new one. I'm struggling if to go with modern, warm white lights and a single colour decoration or if to go multicoloured lights, mismatched decs to match my 90s childhood memory of Christmas, might even get some of those foil stars for the ceiling.

I've begun thinking about what we want for Christmas dinner as well, what the table centerpiece should be and dessert.

I know someone will pop up eventually with "IT'S AUGUST" but I don't care, I start planning decor and plans for autumn, Halloween, bonfire night, winter, Christmas and new years in August every single year

I make sloe gin and limoncello around now, to let them mature properly.

The years I make it, I start the mince meat around now also (I make a large jar so there's enough for a few years - a couple of years later it is LUSH!!).

I buy my cards in early September, as I bring them on work trips over the autumn and write them on planes (I refuse to work work on flights and I have a lot to send so it's a good chance to get them done).

I also start the Holiday Grand Plan in the last week of August, which cleans a room a week and gets me organised for Christmas over 14 weeks. It's from the Organised Christmas website.

And I take the quieter weeks of Sept/Oct to put a few extra dinners in the freezer for the mad weeks of December. When you're getting end of year things done at work, have school shows to get to, shopping trips and wrapping to do...so time disappears and proper nutrition can become less important - but quieter days in autumn are useful to make proper dinners with loads of veg that just need to be reheated or thrown in the oven on busy December days.

When you have a few minutes to yourself sit and think about what you/your family enjoy most about Christmas - whether that's food, activities, films, whatever. Make a list and plan to include them wherever possible. Ditch anything that wasn't a success. Don't overstretch yourself.

A bit late now but buy your wrapping paper in the sales.

Lots of food can be made ahead and frozen if you have the space. I part roast my potatoes and shove them in the oven to finish off straight from frozen.

I meal plan for December as a whole rather than week by week which is my usual method. I print off a blank calendar page and write dinners on for each date. I can keep track of who is out for dinner and I try to avoid too much repetition.

If ordering from M&S/supermarkets then keep an eye out for when their slots go live and book your order in asap. Don't forget the basics like making sure you have tin foil, salt and washing up liquid.

Test anything technical before you wrap it. Set up games consoles if they are being given to impatient youngsters (my DS wasn't bothered but he might have been in the minority). Make sure you have enough of the right size batteries for anything that needs them.

The last couple of years I have written a time line for Christmas dinner that starts with the time I want to serve the roast and works backwards step by step. We eat in the late afternoon so I usually start after lunch, do a bit of prep for anything that needs it and then just pop into the kitchen when necessary. It's only really the last hour that's full on.

Oh wow this is so helpful (and makes me so happy to read) - thank you!

I have found my people (and the people I aspire to be haha)

@Pineappleprep I put a tree in our bedroom a couple of years ago and it’s so lovely to wake up and put the lights on! What colour are your decorations in the living room usually? That’s a great shout on the centrepiece, last year I made a note to do something new this year, I think I need to revive my Pinterest board! And I completely agree - I think of Christmas as a hobby and this year I’m enjoying it for a few extra months instead of just two!

Now I really want to make Limoncello @BiddyPop!! And I had no idea mincemeat would last so long, DH would eat mince pies all year round given the chance so this could make me very popular. I love the room cleaning idea too! Also planning for the ‘normal’ dinners in December is so clever - and I can combine that with

@TheWoollybacksWife suggestion of meal planning for the whole month - love it. I need to sit down and do the big plan - I always have a planner and multiple lists but don’t usually think about it until 1st November, so there’s some weird part of my brain resisting doing it now, this board is giving me permission to just crack on and enjoy it! This is the first year we’re having Christmas dinner instead of lunch so your timing advice is… timely, thank you!

Living room tree is usually gold/red with multifunction warm white lights, master bedroom tree is all red with static warm white lights, DD bedroom tree is pink and DS bedroom tree is blue, both warm white lights, dining room tree has built in fibre optic lights but no decorations as it's flocked.

I'm thinking of getting a brand new tree for the living room, putting the current living room one in the master bedroom and the current bedroom one at the top of the stairs on the landing as well as doing a complete decoration upgrade on all of them

I hope that makes sense

I’ve bought some Christmas stamps and ink pads to decorate wrapping paper and gift tags, I’m looking forward to doing this.

Ordering bulbs and getting them planted so they flower at Christmas, I ended up with paper whites flowering by early December last year so I need to rethink the timing.

It's hard to fathom that you and I are members of the same (human) race....

...however I did just today spunk a whole load of money online with TKMAX making a start on stocking fillers.

That is as close as I could ever get to your coat tails @BiddyPop

I do like to be organised ( in theory 😆)

My DC are adults so it’s a bit more streamlined and tailored.
Last year I took a week of A/L after DH and I were on a cruise , my Plan was to do a major declutter and clean and book appointments for me…..except I got COVID and felt dog rough.

Look at any days out or pantomime you want . They get booked up early. Last year we went on a London lights bus tour which was really fun sat on the open top deck. Cold , so wrap up well.

This year , DH, add and I are going on a Christmas Market Cruise to Amster And Bruges. UK Christmas Market in Bath two years ago was festive but I wouldn’t go again. . DS isn’t really bothered by Christmas-he likes presents (money) and a roast dinner but otherwise it’s just a day for him. ( I’m beginning to wonder if he is actually mine , DD is well into Christmas)
I work between Christmas and New Year inc NYE as I’m not really bothered by New Year , same as some people aren’t bothered by Christmas (eyeballs DS)

I have a hardback jotter than I write all my Christmas ramblings in. Anything I think of that I want or just as important,don’t want. Then I write the proper lists.

We have Christmas bedding ( it’s more Nordic and stag type rather than proper Christmas) . Christmas towels, oilcloth, shower curtain, tea towels. Christmas hand soap. These come out Dec 1st and used every year.
I have some random Christmas plates not a full dinner set ( just plain white that is year round)

TKMaxx/ HomeSense are a great searching ground and if they haven’t already started then they’ll have their Christmas stock in soon. Spode and Portmerion often appears there

We don’t have a tree (cats will wreck it) so decorations on the bannister, pre-lit door wreath, LED candles - some really nice ones in The Range which have the faux flicker effect flame .

I do a Dec 1st Box for DS and DD, pyjamas, socks, underwear, toiletries, loungewear .Its not “ more tat “ or “why do they need more presents isn’t Christmas enough”.
DD can use her nice toiletries and skin care through December and do her nails . They need new loungewear and underwear at some point so I buy a years worth. Again TKMaxx are good for brands.
I’ve already made a start on them

Then it’s Lists
defrost and organise the freezers
get a Sainsbury’s slot booked (and go to the Real Life Sainsbury’s or else I get FOMO . I use my Nectar Points to but nice things )
Do my shopping on line if I can and go out the last Friday in November with DH (tradition) and somewhere with DD , usually a late night mid week
Dont be tempted to bake a cake this year , it won’t get eaten

And most importantly ignore the “ It’s August” /. “ Is This A Thing” / “ I leave everything till 18 th December at the earliest” / “Help it’s December and I haven’t booked anything” posts .

and enjoy .

@mouseyowl 🤣 my life is 🤪 all the time, and especially at year end, so all my attempts to be 🤶 have to be squeezed into small pockets of time and that I am well organised about it well ahead of December!!

The other thing is that, while I roughly follow the HGP I mentioned, it is only ever a guide. I have NEVER managed to do it all, in over 20 years of following it. Some years I do some rooms and a fair amount of the prep well - but others are a lick and a spit and staying up into the wee hours for a week before 25th to get things done enough for others to be happy.

I haven't even started on presents this year (I normally have a good few by now as I have over 50 to get). So you are ahead of me!

And as for well matured mince meat that someone else mentioned, I found a jar at the back of the cupboard last year from 2015 - OMG it was so dark and soooo tasty!! Normally I only get to a 3rd year from a batch, but the 3rd year is always good 🥧🥧

I need to get some gift wrap , one year I left it too late and bought some from Amazon it was the worst quality ever.
Used to get Costco when my DC were little . Four rolls , grids on the back , really good quality . Different paper for DD and DS so didn’t need tags.

Sainsbury seems to only stock habitat now and it’s not to my liking . Add to this the non plastic wrapping but a sticky seal that’s a mare to remove 😒

This is what I’ve got so far…

Christmas Days Out

Camden Food Market with teens to try viral food (December 18th)
Pantomime (December 21st) Booked
National Trust Christmas Light Trail (22nd December) Booked

September - Buy wrapping paper and accessories

November - Book Christmas food shop delivery

December 1st

Bob Baubles the elf comes
Night before set up Christmas trees
Advent calanders
Tempted to do a North Pole breakfast for the first time as the 1st is a Sunday 🤔

Dec 20th

Break up from school

Dec 23rd

Food shop delivered
Clean House

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve boxes
Walk
Matey Bubble Bath
New pyjamas
Bake cookies
Car drive to see Christmas lights
McDonald’s drive thru (keeps my kitchen clean)
Christmas movie
Read the night before Christmas
Bed

Christmas Prep List:

New Christmas Wasgij
Christmas Eve box
Matching Christmas pyjamas
Crackers

Christmas Dinner (£150 Tesco Vouchers):

Beef shin (Tesco £35)
Lamb shoulder (Tesco £25)
2 x smoked gammon
2 x chicken or 1 turkey
Roast potatoes
Parsnips (make ahead freeze)
Dauphinois (make ahead freeze)
Cauliflower cheese (make ahead freeze)
Pigs in blankets (make ahead freeze)
Yorkshire puddings (make ahead freeze)
Carrots
Sprouts
Stuffing balls (make ahead freeze)
Swede (make ahead freeze)
Gravy (make ahead freeze)

We host Christmas Day and Boxing Day in case your wondering why there’s so much food. I make a curry base and freeze it at some point in December then on Boxing Day I just pop it in a couple slow cookers to defrost and add the leftover meat and veg. Very easyand feeds the extra 20 I have on Boxing Day 😊

i cleared out our Christmas storage cupboard yesterday and I’m hoping to wrap presents as they arrive this year. We always seem to be up late on Christmas Eve doing last minute wrapping but I refuse this year!

I’ve definitely found my people on this thread 😂🧑‍🎄

Ohh. North Pole Breakfast 😋

I started doing a Big Brunch on the 1st or the nearest suitable day ( when we’re all home) DD DH and I are vegetarian, DS isn’t but he’ll eat cheese on toast or pancakes

Lucky Numbers - I don’t know if you have an air fryer but they are brilliant at Christmas. I got mine last year. Black Friday bargain. It has a large and a smaller drawer.
Roast potatoes done till they’re nearly ready then they can go in the airfryer while the Yorkshire puddings go in the main oven .
yorkshires are the most important part of a roast according to DS . I did try freezing them , that worked ok but there’s nothing like waiting them rise through the glass door.

We have 2 birthdays at the end of august. After that it's all systems go. I pick up gifts as I go and throw extra in the trolley each week in terms of food and booze. Everyone knows that I need to know by the end of September who is coming for the holidays. We have between 15 and 20 each year. When we know who is coming we all have an evening with a takeaway and decide who is doing what in terms of bringing things. My brother without fail is in charge of wine as he knows his stuff. Regards gifts we do a secret Santa for adults and that will be done that evening too. Last year I decorated the garden room with a tree and will do ot again this year for whoever is sleeping in there. Although it's a lot of people we have been doing this for many years and it's easy to do now. Dh and I go away the start of December every year and this is always just our time to rest and get ready. We don't send cards anymore we gift cash to a charity of our choice and people accept that quite happily. We love our way of doing it but appreciate it's not for all.

I'd love to start getting ready for Christmas but we don't know where we'll be living or who will be there.

Presents obvs through the year. I usually pick up crackers and Dec's in sales as well

Advent calendars are much cheaper in the spring and early summer especially on amazon. If you know what your kids are into

Also if you have kids into make up check out boots £10 Tuesday or £5 Friday st superdrug. Always good for stocking fillers

If you have younger children then check out sweets or treats at b&m. Got mine giant lollies for their stockings

Amazing replies thanks so much! Loved reading all of these!!

I’m usually pretty organised and love to make plans, but still end up with a lot to do in November and December, so I especially love the suggestions for which stuff can be done earlier as that’s my goal this year - I want more time to sew, bake, and sit on my arse with hot chocolate and a cheesy film!

This is the first year I’ve shopped all year round (easier now my two of my DCs are older) and even have some stuff wrapped, thanks to finding this board in December last year (and lurking for ages before getting brave enough to join in)!

I don’t know if this is useful to anyone but we started a North Pole Dinner a couple of years ago (instead of breakfast) as it just worked better for us. Lots of treats, North Pole decor, and a chocolate fondue, and we don’t link it to the elf arriving so we’re flexible on dates for all the DC to be around.

@LuckyNumber6 thanks so much for sharing your lists!! Super helpful to see it laid out in date order! And I would never say ‘too much food’ at Christmas! (Or in general tbf 😂)

@70isaLimitNotaTarget thanks for sharing!! And omg the Habitat gift wrap seal is a madness, I am fully with you! 🙌

So much to reply to, but got to calm my excitement and try to get to sleep 😂🌲

Ps @GettingStuffed hope you’re ok and settled soon x

I'm so happy to find this thread. Thinking about Christmas now is a guilty pleasure as most of my friends seem to regard it as a badge of honour to do the 'oh my God has it started this early?'/'I don't think about it until the week before' thing 😁...
I've started getting hold of little things my (young adult) kids noticed they like while we were on holiday. I log on my phone then track down. In an antiques shop they saw a couple of bits and I've managed to find them on eBay and order now. It's really enjoyable to do it this way, and more affordable than last minute buying Thank you all!

My DD will be nearly 3 at Christmas so I'm expecting this to be the first year she kind of gets it. So I want to start some traditions of our own- I like the 1st dec breakfast idea so adding that to my list.
I don't really want to do Christmas Eve or 1st dec boxes but DD does have little advent bags we will rather than a traditional calendar so starting to think about what is going in them. I have a couple of little Christmas books already that will be too big for the bags but going to wrap and put the little bag on top instead.

Christmas Eve Hampers don’t need to be too full on.

Mine are adults now , I used it as a settling down on Christmas Eve evening tactic,

New pyjamas ( winter not Christmas). primark used to do lovely brushed cotton ones . They can use all through the winter
Bath bomb or bubbles
Maybe a book
Hot chocolate and a biscuit

You can put as much or as little but it’s nice to start the “let’s get ready”

We used to take ours out to feed ducks or reindeer , nice muddy wrapped up walk. I’d sneak in and put the boxes by the fireplace while DH got their wellies on

I really need to start making some lists. I need to be on the ball this year 😁

Ooh me too 😊 I love Autumn and Halloween. Been waiting for this hot weather to 'do one' lol

@Pineappleprep sorry for the slow reply! Yes it makes perfect sense, have you made any decisions yet? 🥰

I moved our flocked tree to our bedroom and put silver and glass on it which looks good!

Maybe if you’re undecided between the two designs for the living room, and you’re planning to change the decorations on multiple trees, you could get one of the new themes you’re wondering about, try it in the living room and if you don’t love it put it on a different tree? 🌲🌟

I Christmas shop alll year! sales? I'm on it lol I do about half my Christmas shopping for the adults in the Christmas sales for the following year. Be that half price crocs or duver sets. I don't really pay full price ever.

My Christmas eve hampers are super simple

Pjs
Book
Bath bomb
Mug
Hot chocolate set between the 3 of them
And then a gift wrapped in whst their paper will be the next day

As there are 3 of them (aged 17, 13 and 9) it's easier on christmas day to have individual paper rsther than reading labels, especially with babychips as he is adhd and asd