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

I have a book that I record Christmas presents in each year and that stops me buying the same thing again.

I also do all my food shopping online and most of the presents too due to not having time to go shoppin

Keep it simple and do one thing/activity per week in December.

I have a simple diary that from January I start Christmas prep.

January
Buy Christmas themed items with long or no use ny date
Things in sales that will fit next Christmas such as children's Christmas pyjamas.

In August
Start putting money in my other bank account for bigger presents.
Shop in places like Poundland, B&M's and home bargain for stocking fillers that are on offer.

September
I buy non perishable items such as dry foods, jars and tins.
Keep an eye out on second hand sights for Christmas outdoor decks at low prices.

October-November
Get children to write Christmas lists and order personalised things that will take time to make and things on sale that will be on children's lists.

December
Get decs out of the loft, put up, wrap any un wrapped things I haven't during the year.
Put feet up.

Merry Christmas

I start early and write lists for everything!

I'm pretty relaxed about it really. I start buying presents early and don't go overboard with food buying because the shops are open again straight after Christmas. We usually eat out on Christmas Eve so that everybody is relaxed for the big day. Christmas is for everybody - and nobody deserves to get stressed out about trying to make it perfect.

Lists, lists and more lists! I start cooking and baking early with as much as possible being freezable, & I have a list on my phone of who I need to buy for, so I can't forget and duplicate!

we make a list and try to have gifts bought by end of November. Try to stick to the list and budget and do all the shopping in a couple of trips.

I have to say I don’t feel organised at all! Ever! But I always manage to wing it each year, somehow! I make lists upon lists and I try my best to sort things out each day but the lists just seem to get bigger and bigger! I think I must secretly enjoy all the buzz and rushing about!

I start buying gifts from August so that I have time to find bargains and put thought into the gifts I buy people.

I make lots of lists and use Christmas apps to help me stay within my budget.

I start making my pressie list (what we get for others) early so that as soon as I have the money I can go buy a load, wrap them and tick them off. That's my main headache so it really helps me see progress.

The rest of christmas is fun as I like to make food/bake for it and do a few craft items each year too. It's the best part as it doesn't matter if it goes a bit wrong - reminds me of the 'christmas vulture' from The Good Life - where Barbara tries to make a 'robin on a yule log' centrepiece and it goes wrong and gets bigger and bigger!

lay on the sofa, close my eyes, have a snooze and leave it all to the wife

We often do batch cooking and prepping on one day and put then in the freezer. Then throughtout the week, we can just quickly serve the meals without the fuss of cooking from scratch . Also we use a slow cooker often and this saves a lot to time as you can do other stuff throughout the day while your dinner is being cooked at the same time.

Try to buy less and less each year. I now plan to have enough for Christmas Day and Boxing Day and pop out to the shops on 27th. However don't usually need to as so many left overs! Easier as children get older I've found. Make sure I have the essentials . it's not the end of the world if something else is forgotten.

I November I start to plan what I want to eat at Christmas and look over my recipe collection. I also start to make a list of everyone I want to buy presents for and decide what I'm going to buy and start to search on-line for the best prices and order. I also check to see dates of local church carol services and mark them in my calendar and also local events such as switching of lights, pantomimes and light shows and decide which I want to take me and my family to.

I have my Christmas notebook handy! I also have a Christmas related email folder.

Lots of lists and a fair amount of badgering family for ideas from November onwards!

I make lists, try and prep things in advance and freeze them and make sure that I keep track of everything that I'm buying!

Plan, plan, plan! We also track what we buy on a spreadsheet and stay within the budgets we set.

This isn't too hard really. We make a list of who we need to buy for, we make a list of what food we need and then it's all plain sailing really. If I'm having guests over I prepare anything I can the day before then just enjoy xx

Plan head! I order a lot online and have it delivered. I use time off to get things wrapped etc

Actually I am one of those people who shops earlier during year
(January sale) and that way I don't need a mad rush on last days before Xmas. Whatever is possible - Christmas decorations, cards, wrapping paper and gifts, I'd buy and save some money too. Then when December comes I would shop for a few extra prezzies and closer to Christmas - for food. I don't like all manic shopping trips in last few days. My food would be ordered online just in time. I think is more enjoyable to spend more time with family rather than in busy shops.

I have a little notebook in my bag which has everythi g i need to remember in it