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

To get organized for Christmas I try to keep note of what i have done the previous year, and which gifts have been a hit with my children. I’m always keen to try to reduce the amount of accumulated stuff over Christmas so I take note of what is really being played with in our house and try to sell and donate unloved toys. Last Christmas Eve we hadnt planned anything especially Christmassy but my daughter then 4 was adamant we should go to McDonalds which we agreed to do, I later realized she had seen the advert for reindeer food and the trip had been to get some special carrots for Rudolph 🎄 so I think we will make this an annual trip...as it was an easy supper before all the cooking the following day which is a win win for all the family 🤗

I do virtually all my Christmas shopping online now - I generally start putting together a list of everyone we need to get presents for in about October, and start coming up with ideas (gift shopping definitely my domain, the thought fills DH with horror!). Doing the list at that time means I can take advantage of Black Friday sales and other odd sale events here and there, and tick things off the list. I tend to pick little things up when I'm in shops, and update the list so I know who has what and where I've still to get things. There's so much more choice online now, especially when it comes to personalised items - I get a lot from Etsy and Not On The High Street.

We tend to take turns at hosting which makes life a bit easier two years out of three (we rotate with my parents and the inlaws). While we like the big traditional Christmas lunch, if we are having people over, then we tend to go more for the buffet lunch style event - requires a little bit less coordination when it comes to timing as I can just sling things in and out of the oven when the table needs a bit of a top up, and people can graze through the afternoon. I never leave this up to online shopping as don't trust that they'll actually deliver and I'll be left in a panic the day before, so we do a proper run around the shops a few days in advance.

Start the shopping early, couple of months before and make sure you have a list of what people want and what you have bought them. If you have bought it... wrap it as you go save yourself having to do a massive pile in one go. With the dinner less is more prep xmas eve when the kiddies have gone to bed and get dad to help!! Or go to someone else's house haha i think mums live on lists! I have a list for a list!! But remember don't stress you have to enjoy your hard work too! Merry Christmas Mummys and Daddys xx

It’s a pressured time for my family of 5. Emotions are always running high- so my job becomes calming everyone down- and letting the chips fall where they may. All prezzies are ordered online (easier to do with young children). Over the next few weeks Il add the foods into our grocery shop as I go. I try to take the focus off of having a ‘perfect’ day. And keep it more about being a family day- warts and all!

These days with older children I don't have as many presents to buy. I write lots of lists on my phone and set reminders in my phone calendar. I stay up late to book a Christmas online shopping slot with Tesco. I don't tend to start shopping early but do most of my shopping online to avoid the crowds.

Lots of pre planning and delegating to others! Also keeping to a budget and remembering it's all about family and friends and less about how much money is spent.

Shop online for most stuff, anything I need to get in shop I use the notes app on my phone to make lists.

I buy gifts throughout the year and make a list of where I have put them, and who they are for. That way I don't double up later in the year! Like a bargain so I always shop around. I also carry a list in my handbag of who I still need to buy for so again I don't double up.

Lists lists and more lists! I buy everything in advance and tick it off when its ordered, arrived, wrapped..

I don’t think of Christmas as just one day but as a season! However it’s a season I want to enjoy with my kids rather than go crazy over trying to please everyone else and making spreadsheets! Like a lot of people I buy my Christmas wrap and lights for pennies right after Christmas. I take my kids for a Christmas photo shoot in November so I can get cards and other photo gifts printed early. When I receive cards I take a pic with my phone of their return address so I don’t have to write it down or lose the envelope. I plan things so I only make one post office trip to send everything off at the same time. When I do my online grocery shop I make sure I order paper towels, bin bags, dishwasher tabs etc because there’s nothing worse than cooking Xmas dinner and realizing you’ve run out of something- plus we always use more bin bags because of wrapping paper and throwaway tin pans. I usually make all my token gifts (for teachers, babysitters, cleaners etc) the same thing and put them in pretty bags in a basket that’s easy to grab from. This year it’s locally made scented candles in mason jars . When I’m out running Xmas errands I usually grab a cup of coffee from our McDonald’s drive thru- it keeps me going and I can drink it in piece and quite while my toddler sleeps in his seat.

I work pretty hard on minimising the "wifework" associated with Christmas, so I tend to do online shopping a few weeks before, and then I make lists of chores and get all the family to sign up to some. e.g. everyone agrees to prepare something for Christmas dinner, and do a specific bit of pre-Christmas cleaning.
I try and make sure we arrange trips to fun Christmas things or meet up with friends, rather than rushing around madly with chores and shopping.

I keep lists of what I've bought- and wrapped! - to keep track. I've also taken responsibility for specifically asking for practical things from family for dc to prevent a toy Tsunami, eg winter boots and party dresses, new nightlight etc.

For dinner we divide and conquer - we host and do main then have family bring starter and dessert and cheese. This keeps us more organised as we only have one thing to focus on.

Lots of lists & a bit of planning!
As soon as the kids go back to school in September I start decluttering as it’s both their birthdays between then and Xmas so we always need the extra space for what is bought, I can also get a good idea if there is anything I think that they need.
I then start adding Xmas treats to the weekly shop when I see them on offer - but only stuff that I would normally get - and make the pudding mid November.
I keep spreadsheets for present ideas and then tick them off when the item has arrived. I make a week to view diary for December and list some jobs that I aim to do each week. TBH as long as there are presents, decorations up and some food to eat I am usually happy with that and if other stuff got done along the way then great!

I start christmas shopping for presents as early as august/september. And start filling the xmas food cupboard up from october. Just picking bits up once a week doesn't stretch the bank and it means december we enjoy more xmas days out as a family. More prep less stress!

Lists! Lists EVERYWHERE!

I reserve a supermarket online slot and continue editing it up do the day as and when I think of things.

Small presents are picked up through the year as I see them. Wrapping paper is colour coded for each child.

Apart from immediate family I don’t do cards anymore. It’s wasteful. DS will be doing them for school class this year but that is during. His handwriting practice so I can kill two birds with one stone.

Book to see Santa in like October. I did actually forget this year and was limited in choice come when end of November. I do think that is ridiculous. It’s a shame you are forced to do it really.

I try to have all the presents bought before the end of November, look for half-price deals on Christmas food and - most importantly - buy all the Christmas dinner stuff pre-prepared from M&S so it only takes 1 hour or so from bunging in the oven to lobbing on the table.

I plan it very far ahead and have everything on a spreadsheet! EVERYTHING!!!

The fundamental flaw in this question is the assumption that one stays organised in the run up to Christmas! I usually get all the freezable items at least a week in advance, but all the fresh veg is bought from the market as close as possible to the day. The only 'organised' bit is me getting up early enough to be on the market by 8am in order to ensure that there's still anything left!

Lists

We have everything planned out and finished well in advance of xmas