How organised have you been? Tips?

[1AngelicFruitCake]

This year I did a big tidy in advance so haven’t got the usual panic on Christmas Eve (still needs a good clean).
Ive read on here so many times about wrapping as you go and it’s been a revelation! Why I’ve never done it before I don’t know!
The biggest tip I read and tried this year was to get the stocking fillers in advance (before November) and they’ve been wrapped and ready to go since late October and it’s made such a difference

What are your Christmas organisation tips?

I have a list ready to go so that I can buy the majority of stuff in the Black Friday sale. It means no last minute buying in December for me.

I keep a notebook for lists/menu planning etc. On Boxing Day I make a note of what went well, what was a disaster, things to remember for next year. I love looking back on previous years and seeing how things have changed.

Thanks both. I need to use a notebook next year. I like seeing how other people do things - Boxing Day reflecting on it all or Black Friday organising - neither would have occurred to me!

I buy a few food items a week for Christmas from mid-late October onwards. It means I only need to buy fresh bits closer to the time when the supermarkets are busy!

I intended to do this but never manage it. It’s taken me a long time to realise that an organised Christmas takes a lot more planning and effort than I’m putting in. I will improve!

I start buying in juice, beers etc from September then october is snacks and xmas cakes, biscuits, chocs and November the cheeses so by the time I do the actual food shop its literally just the meals and xmas dinner to get and buffet stuff. All was done by last night. I did the adult dc and teen dc gifts from august to October and wrapped as I went. My friends take the piss out of my organisation but means I'm totally relaxed and embracing the festive season doing it my way.

We don't have guests as we are a big family ourselves. Book M and S dinner in advance so just have to buy extras/treats from elsewhere in normal food shopping on the lead up. Apart from our children we only buy presents for niece and nephews.
Keep photos of presents bought as you go and put in a locked folder on phone so you can refer back when out and about so you don't overspend/see what you actually already have.
Do a deep clean when the Christmas tree goes up so rest of month is easy to keep on top of everything house wise.