How do you stay organised in the run up to Christmas? Share with McDonalds - £300 voucher to be won

[EllieMumsnet]

For the majority of people the countdown to Christmas has already begun...queue the Christmas films, carol singing, decorations, gift giving, Santa Claus and Christmas dinner. However it can also feel a little overwhelming trying to get everything sorted all before the big day, especially if you’re more of a do-it-all-the-week-before-Xmas type of person . Which is why McDonalds would like to know all your tips and tricks for staying organised throughout the run up to Christmas.

Here’s what McDonald’s has to say: “We know it’s a hectic time of year for families, so if it’s a quick coffee when you’re out shopping or popping in on Christmas Eve for some free Reindeer Treat carrots, we are here to help you get #ReindeerReady on your way to Christmas 2018!”

In order for you to stay organised do you have to begin your preparations early and if so how early do you start? Are you a big list maker and write down everything you need to buy, plan and prep? Do you split the responsibility out across your family? Maybe you order all your presents and/or food online to save time? Or do you buy decorations and presents throughout the year when you see a good deal?

However you stay organised in the run up to Christmas, tell us on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

lots of lists and anything i can organise in advance i do!!!

I’m a great list maker and this helps me organise myself on the lead up to Christmas. I also believe in delegation and no-one seems to mind helping me out.
I stay clear of the shops and do a lot of Christmas shopping on line however on Christmas Eve, knowing I’m prepared, I love a wonder around the town getting in the Christmas spirit.

Getting all the presents bought and wrapped before December, buying all crackers, wines, table decorations before December. Keeping a diary of evenings out and social occasions, so that in December we can all enjoy Christmas without too much stress.

I start to prepare around end of August by getting all the presents cards and wrapping paper once I have got them I start getting bits of food every time I go shopping like Frozen Sausage rolls, Pickled Onions etc that way I'm not in a mad rush at the last minute, I also put some money on a Christmas shopping card every month when I get my wages, It makes a big difference doing it that way,

I'm a big list maker. I'm also a bit of a control freak when it comes to getting things done for Christmas. Thankfully I have a husband who is quite happy just to do his "jobs" without having to get involved in the planning! I've bought most presents and some food/drinks but know what I still have to get and earmarked when to do it. I have to be organised or I just panic.

I start buying Christmas presents after my kids have gone back to school in September, I’m normally finished by November. I order all my Xmas shopping in November then we have all December to have lots of fun

I usually make a massive list and try to organise it so I can work down from the top and cross things off as I go

I have a spreadsheet! That and lots of communication to make sure everyone knows whats going on

Lots of lists help me stay organised for Christmas. I also start buying food/drink a few weeks early to help spread the cost. I wrap pressies in the evenings once the kids are in bed and start writing cards as soon as I buy them as otherwise it's all a mad panic!

By making lots of lists

I stay organised by writing lots of lists, sticking notes up in the kitchen and putting reminders on my phone, it helps me keep track of outstanding things I need to buy and do in the run up to Christmas.

I start wrapping in October and keep lots and lots of lists.

I'm a big fan of lists in any case, so I start listing things out in the week before December, and get as much as I can organised before Christmas actually happens. I tick things off as I go and get an enormous amount of satisfaction in clearing items off the list. Sad I know - but it gets results!
I have family in Australia so I buy things for them in our summer sales as it's their summer at Christmas time, and the last posting day for parcels is 3 December this year.
I buy and prepare food for the freezer in advance so that I'm not doing an enormous shop on Christmas Eve at the same time as everyone else.
I've started doing cards already, one or two when I stop for a cup of tea and they should all be ready to post and deliver in the first week of December (so next Monday).

Make lots of lists and tick them off once it's done!

I have always been organised and make lists for everything so that goes into overdrive at this time of year. A list on my phone for who to buy presents for, what we want to get for our children, what food we need to get, what jobs need to be done, what time food needs to go on on christmas day etc, the list of lists goes on and on but helps me stay on top of things.

Lists. In fact I have a special Christmas journal.
Get ahead. Make chutney etc for presents in Autumn. Make Christmas cake 2 months before.
Start to buy presents in Setemeber. Aim to be finished by end October/ beginning November so I can enjoy the run up to Christmas / plan some enjoyable things.

I buy all of my gifts online - takes about 2 hours but it's all done fro the comfort of my sofa (usually a few days before Xmas!)
I also take advantage of online wish lists throughout the year if I see something that would make a good gift.

Food wise if I'm cooking dinner I'll prep the night before (no kids to entertain hehe) but tend to err towards ready prepared food like pigs in blankets etc just to avoid a bit of faff on the day.

I try and do as much as I can ahead of time.

Plan ahead and start shopping in November usually.

I don't! Chaos reigns!

We normally go away for Christmas so only need to plan what presents we're buying. I try to have everything bought and wrapped by the end of November.

We try to write out a plan of action with presents, trips etc, but with little 1s it's never fool-proof!

I keep a Google shopping list for food that I share with my partner, so we can both see what's been bought already and what we still need to get.

I keep a spreadsheet of all the presents I've bought so that I don't buy something for someone, forget all about it, then buy them something else!

And I start early - Septemberish.

I get all the presents wrapped at a week before xmas. Order our food shopping in plenty of time for home delivery. When we are invited to stay with relatives I pray and give thanks for delivering me from 90% of the xmas stress!

We keep a list, start thinking of ideas and jot it down, and cross of as we go. It helps stop over buying as some things we see very early in the year and they get hidden under the bed. Then we have a mass wrapping session, and the other bits are in a routine so we tend to know what needs doing when