Christmas day organisation

[VickityBoo]

I hope this is the right place.

Just wondering what all 'Christmas at home' mums are doing for organising their day.

I plan to wake dd up (3yo) around 7, she usually sleeps quite late. Dp is working when needed so he may not be around long :( Share excitement of bedroom stocking pressies (colouring stuff, clemintine, socks etc) then downstairs for brekkie and more excitement!

It's going to be the first time I've hosted whilst being mummy so not sure what to expect regarding time balance. We have 6 adults and 1 child in total including us. I suppose I want to get organised so I don't waste time messing about. Plan to prepare turkey and veg Christmas eve, as well as make the desserts etc. even plan to have turkey in the oven on timer, buts it's a new oven (haven't got it yet) so I won't trust it!

What are you folk doing and/or what have you found works from experience?

You need a time table to work to, but you also have to be prepared to throw it away to save your sanity

I would focus on, what time guests are arriving/leaving and what time lunch.

Work out what time things need to go into the oven and stick to that, make sure you have allowed enough time to get you and DD ready and have your presents opened long before anyone arrives.

The rest just throw over to luck! Christmas is about chaos, people will entertain DD, you will forget to cook something, wine will be spilled and all will end well

Haha thank you oreocrumbs. Love the last paragraph. It is chaos I've hosted it before but a long time ago, more people but no children!

Everyone except dp will be drinking because as he's working on/off but will be back by midnight, they're getting lifts home! However I have placed in my online basket, a slightly lower alcohol wine box. People can go to the fridge and help themselves but shouldn't get too trolled too quickly. It's about 8%. Including me, I don't want to overdo the alcohol but do enjoy a drop of wine!

Good tips though

It's hard because I like to do chilled-out mornings with pressies, bucks fizz, cuddles, pyjamas...but if people arrive at half 10/11 I may feel rushed. Maybe I'll have a 'take us as you find us' attitude with regards to pj's and no make-up!

Or ask them to come for noon, by which time you've had your nice relaxed morning (and so have they).

I just worry that it's not long enough! I guess they'll be staying for the entire night so really it is. I'll say 11:30 (they'll turn up at midday )

If I'm hosting anything you have to take me as you find me! Have been known to cook and serve dinner in a smart top, pj bottoms and red stillettos. (started to get dressed couldn't find trousers, oven was beeping, pulled on pjs to pop down stairs and turn it off and never made it back upstairs!!) The shoes were already downstairs - I think I looked bloomin great. More so after some wine. Really enjoyed that christmas

That's brilliant! That's the thing though isn't it? If you dress too early it's gets splattered on, dress to late and dinner takes priority and you never get a chance!

Yep and you always forget your apron!

I honestly think the only way to enjoy being the host is to get drunk take it in your stride, I'm presuming your guests are family and friends, in which case they won't care how perfect it is! Perfection takes many forms, to some its a day ran with military precision to others me as long as there is food, wine and people perfection will take care of itself!

If it is important to you to be dressed etc then you will have to get up a bit earlier and be a bit more organised, but honestly the day I embraced chaos as the theme for my events they all started to go with out a hitch

Think through a week or so before x-mas what all are you putting on the table and do you have enough, wine glasses, napkins, place mats etc. We did 20 for x-mas lunch last year and ended up going round on x-mas eve trying to find placemats and table runners to make the everyday table look more festive : )

Set the table on x-mas eve and make it an adventure for your DD to have picnic meals on the floor for dinner and breakfast : )

Write out your menu and cheat where you know your weak spots are : ) I know I can't make good gravy so got the pre-made stuff from M&S and had it sitting in a saucepan ready to heat : )

Make time in the morning to enjoy your DD opening her presents, if dinner ends up being half an hour late the guests will have another glass of wine and not care but you will be cross with yourself if you rush her opening her presents : )

Cook the turkey christmas eve