Already started thinking of the festive season?! Want to? Share your top tips to beat Christmas stress with Lidl: chances to win vouchers NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

We KNOW it's early but lots of you (and Lidl) are already thinking ahead to December and we're sure MNers have a whole wealth of fab Christmassy tips to share. As great as Christmas is, we know it often comes with a world of stress, whether that's the pressure of entertaining, avoiding cooking disasters, or managing it all on a tight budget! So please share your top tips for beating these battles.

Tell us what do you do to ease the stress of Christmas? Is it the art of preparing early, finding those great value-wins or quick cheats like great tasting and great priced party food?

Add your tips to this thread and you will be entered into a prize draw where 5 MNers will each win a £50 Lidl voucher.

Thanks and Happy Christmas

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

I love Christmas and start getting excited in September.

Christmas cake must be made by 1st October at the latest and fed with lashings of brandy up until the day of decorating (usually the 22nd)

Start thinking about Christmas presents in September and buy as much as poss using sales and discount codes. By starting early, I have no stress over it.

I buy my DS a new bauble for the tree every year - my plan is he has a box of baubles ready for when he moves into his own house. When he's a bit older, he can choose a bauble but for now I buy Wedgwood or Harrods.

We usually host now as we're the ones with a toddler so I like to have lots of snacks that can be put on platters and plenty of wine ready for people dropping in over the Christmas period. We host NYE too and that's great fun - we usually play Cards Against Humanity

Life has changed massively since having DS - we used to be in the pub every night over Christmas and NYE was always at a hotel. Wouldn't change it now though

No way Jose! Its still summer - talk about wishing your life away!

I buy presents all year round so I just need to worry about wrapping them in December (I also have to remember how much I've bought and what I've bought!).

My DDs birthday is New Years Day so it's a busy time in our house and we have a large family to visit and make sure we see for Christmas and her birthday so we try to have people over to ours together, or go out as a big group. Fitting in with bust schedules and shift patterns can be a challenge so we try to fix dates in the diary as soon as we can.

We've also been lucky enough that for the last 4 Christmases either myself, sister or sister in law have welcomed a new addition to the family so we've had 4 first Christmases in a row.
Buy early, spread the cost and try to stay on budget. Times worth more then gifts.

Oh just for god sakes start early, buy a gift if you see something someone would like, leave enough time that it's still decent to casually ask what someone might like if you end up short of ideas.

DP leaves it until right before xmas and then hates it all and has to pay through the nose because he's got no plan B.

Have it almost done by the time the shops are heaving and there are no more pay packets between you and a good piss up at NY.

THEN DO NOT TWITCH!

Listening to classic radio or audio books. Candles and a front room picnic of different foods.

The Hitchhikers Guide, Harry Potter, LOTR, maybe a tradition of telling a Ghost story.

It's the front room picnic and the candles that makes it so special. Cheese and biscuits, maybe a special pie.

Christmas is a bit frantic for kids. Listening time is time to chill.

I love Christmas. Mine were crappy as a child so I like making it an exciting, fun family day.

I plan presents really early - my main tip for that would be avoid character/branded stuff as that's more likely to change.

The other thing I plan early is the family board game! We always get a big game at Christmas, DH and I take it in turns to choose. TBH the DCs get games as presents anyway (smaller/card games) but the big one is the main present really.

1. Christmas cupboard - fill with non-perishable things from November. Then refill regularly as I eat them!

1. Start buying presents (little and often) from summer.

1. Go for a run first thing on Christmas morning - sets me up for the rest of the day.

Remember it comes round again quickly and there is no fun in stressing. Make sure you have enough mince pies and a lot of good videos and just enjoy being off work and school.

Plan your Christmas dinner in advance and make a schedule of which items need to be cooked when and for how long. Do as much prep on Christmas Eve as possible!

I always start fairly early in September. That gives me nearly four months to spread out the cost, the first 3 months I will spread the cost of the gifts and then in December I pick up extra groceries each week when they are on Special offer. This saves me from having a really expensive shop at the end! I also find it cheaper to buy the little christmas cake slices and a small christmas pudding as everybody likes different things and it cuts down on waste.

I share the children's wish lists with any family members who want to buy them gifts (i do tell everyone that we don't expect them and would rather nobody got into debt over us). This helps to avoid receiving lots of things that might go to waste and it cuts the list down for me too.

I try to do a handful of homemade gifts for the grown ups such as bathbombs/soap/homemade decorations/candles, i work out what will be cheapest to make and take inspiration from Pinterest. I will then pair these with a nice bottle of wine or prosecco. We tend to buy the bottles in bulk when Lidl have theyre special offers on. We also find the praline seashell chocolates from Lidl a huge hit with family members and these make great presents too.
Me and my partner don't tend to buy each other much but will save any left over money (if we have it) for sale shopping to get things like perfume/aftershave at a better deal.

Don't go mad. Make a list and stick to it, there really is no need to go crazy with food shopping for a few days. And don't stress out about having the picture perfect Christmas.

Get organised - buy throughout the year in sales, have a running document on my phone of present ideas so I can pop notes in as they come up
Prepare as much of the food you can before the day
Utilise ebay/camelcamelcamel/aliexpress
Essentially I like to be as 'done' as I can for the start of December then I don't have to worry and can just enjoy the build up

I buy all the treaty bits and alcohol early like every week from around october. Christmas dinner is only really us as a family so last year I managed to get 10 pound Christmas dinner from the co op. I hope to do the same this year. I don't have loads to buy for so I budget carefully for adults say £5, £10 or £20 depending on who. And my son is will pick up as and when from October. I stash all the things in a locked cupboard. This year I may do more shopping online as last year shopping with a toddler wasn't the one!

Manage your own expectations; I've spent many a festive season too stressed to enjoy it as I was trying to create the impossible perfect Christmas. I realise now that it doesn't matter if the wrapping paper doesn't match or if the bread sauce is homemade as long as the main elements are there. Remember to enjoy yourself too!

From about September I start to stock up on things such as alcohol, fizzy drinks, crisps and nuts when I see them on offer. I try to add things to the weekly shop to spread the cost and make sure we aren't going to run out of toilet roll, kitchen roll, cling film etc in December.

Agree with the bargain thread natch .

I try to get as many of my presents bought by October as possible and wrapped before the beginning of December. Dds Father Christmas presents are wrapped first and stored in the loft. I've usually forgotten what I've got her by the time it's Christmas Day so it's a nice surprise! It also means that come December everything present and Christmas card wise is done and I can enjoy a lot of the run up to Christmas. I buy Christmas themed crafts in th January sales and then get them out during December for DD and I to do together. We also decorate Christmas wrapping paper (although it does feel weird doing this a couple of months in advance!).

Lists are very important to ensure everything is done in time. With the cooking I'd do as much as I can beforehand (eg peel potatoes and cut ready the day before and keep in water. Same with veg) and a time plan with what needs to be cooked or some at what time.

Keeping it simple with just our family on the day and visiting relatives before and after makes it less stressful for us!

We plan our meal in advance and give the fussy kids macaroni cheese so we can enjoy our Xmas dinner in peace and happiness. And get a tesco home delivery is essential to avoid the nightmare supermarkets!

Tips

Money
If money might be an issue, start a savings scheme start of the year. Park vouchers are very simple to start up and its so easy to save by direct debit each month, you dont notice the money going. You will be grateful come end of the year and you dont have to go without, worry or get into debt.
Prepaid credit cards may also be an idea for you. Just make sure you shop around for a good deal. Transfer ££ over to your card a month and thats the food shop taken care of.
Buy gift cards throughout the year. Sainsburys, Tesco, Game, M&S, NewLook, Starbucks. Just £10 a pop when you are in store now and again and by the end of the year you will have a tidy amount to spend or give as gifts.

The food & goodies
Try and pick up odd bits in the weeks running up to christmas. A tin of chocolates here, few tubes of pringles there... It really adds up and it doesnt feel like you have forked out £££.
But be careful not to over-buy. Its a waste of time and money. Think back to last year, was there lots of waste?
Prepare stuffing balls/pigs in blankets in advance (especially if you make your own stuffing) and freeze them as balls. They taste perfect on the big day and saves you time in the kitchen.

Spending more time enjoying the day
Make sure you stock up on disposable oven trays, silver plates, solo cups and napkins. It feel so amazing to just throw out the trays and everything after dinner. No washing up for me thank you.
Solo cups are a great idea for guests and parties over christmas. I tend to buy the pint ones. No washing up, no broken glass. Save your good glasses for the main meal and champagne.
Line everything with foil. You can thank me later.
Before you go to bed C Eve get a black bag or box for the gift wrap and place it just at arms reach.

Wrapping
If wrapping clothes, fold them over cardboard to stop the gift looking all wrinkled and flimsy.
Rounded things are a no go, just get a box or a large gift bag.
A little old fashioned some would say but good quality gift wrap and some bows go a long way.
Certain colour wrapping paper for certain children makes life easier.

• Couples without children * Christmas eve boxes are a big yes even for the grown ups. Joint ones are adorable. Alcohol minis (5cl) scratch cards, take out menu with money tucked inside, popcorn, sweets, movies, lounge wear, sexy underwear?

Traditions can be important. Its doesnt matter how big or small. Me and my DP always watch Game of Thrones on christmas eve and order a takeaway. We cuddle up with a few light drinks and enjoy.

Christmas day we always buy novelty gifts from the DCat and help him open his gifts. Its a bit of a performance but we love it.

There has to be a really crappy gift for eachother too (alongside the good ones) Last year I got a jumper that come up above my belly button and cat treats. DP got after sex mints and beard baubles.

Stocking are always fun. Maybe make them a bit naughty this year?

My son will be 8 months at Christmas and my sister in law is due on 27th December so this year is all about preparation! I've already bought a lot of presents when I've spotted great gifts whole in town and my mother in law is going to cook the turkey and veg the day before so we're ready for any potential new arrivals and a trip to hospital!

If you have friends with children liking similar things club together for the Argos 3 for 2. My daughter often wants the big new Lego set I find friend who want the same and we order together. Maximises saving and stops you buying things you don't want / are not a good deal just to get the saving!

Make lists and stick to them. I start list-making in early September and buy presents and non-perishable food/ drink from then on.

Years ago I would buy things throughout the year when I saw bargains but the danger with that was sitting looking at a pile of tat that wasn't suitable for anyone! Now I start saving money every month instead but only buy a 'bargain' if it's actually something decent.

When it gets to about October I start seriously looking at the MN Christmas topic to pick up tips and to see what's popular.

Lists, lists and more lists!
Buy any reduced fruit like strawberries, raspberries, it's so cheap to make homemade jam and it makes a thoughtful gift, especially if you throw some homemade chutney and crackers in with it : )
Caramelised red onion chutney is a good one, and is perfect to be made in the next couple of months and kept in a dark cool cupboard ready for gifts or the Christmas cheese board!
Then nearer the time, you can make chocolate drops, tiffin, shortbread, anything!
It costs me around £40.00 but that makes homemade hampers for around 10-12 people with around 8-10 different homemade treats. If you've got the time, and someone to helps pack all the stuff up a week before Christmas, it really does save a fortune on presents, and people really appreciate the thought : )

I try and start mid September for the main shopping and spread the cost out, but I pick up stocking fillers and the odd adult gift in sales through the year.

I also try and plan what activities I want to do with the kids and book in early for anything like panto and Santa visits.

Plan like a demon.
I have a calendar, with actions through each day of December. eg order turkey, get DD to write cards for teachers, last posting day, wrap gifts for Auntie Mabel etc.
It helps me feel under control, and also prompts the rest of the family to take on some of the tasks (which I suspect they assume the Christmas fairy carries out).
Other than that, I try to do as much as I can as early as poss, eg booking panto tickets, booking online shopping slot, take advantage of cashback early shopping sites etc.