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

[IWouldBeSuperb]

For presents, lots of tick lists, and being determined to stick to a budget helps - otherwise last minute purchases mount up and lead to last minute panic!

Spreading the food shop over a few weeks and making sure I have enough freezer space to prep is also key!

[FantasticBadger]

Meh, one trip to M&S for all the food, one hit on Amazon for presents (logging in through Give as you Live so our favourite charity gets some benefit). Son's new school sells trees so we are buying that from them. Christmas is calm in our house.

[starlight36]

I start the children's present buying in mid-November. Any earlier and they keep chopping and changing their minds. I look out for reductions around Black Friday but we've also trained them not to ask for too much - Santa's sleigh isn't that big after all!
All of the food that will last I pick up whenever I see anything on offer. Turkey and veg is bought a few days before locally.
We have a spreadsheet which lists our all of the cards / small gifts we need to send. I put a note on this of last listing dates for overseas.

[dancemom]

Lists everywhere! Apps on my phone, regular updating and a wing and a prayer!

[theredjellybean]

Remind myself it's just one day and it doesn't have to be perfect.
Ignore all the magazines peddling images of perfection and I write a list for presents and a list for food and a list for anything else.
I buy most online in late November and wrap everything as it arrives.
I have one nice day out shopping but that is more a social thing for my elderly mother.

[fishnships]

Confine it all until December! Christmas starts far too early, in my opinion and it just adds to the stress.

[SweetestThing]

Lists
Work back from Christmas Day to make sure I meet last posting deadlines for overseas
Manage expectations of everyone as to gifts and food
Prep beforehand
Make and freeze as much as possible
Enlist other people to help
Accept any help offered!
Don't stress - it's only a big roast dinner when all is said and done
Find time to relax - go for long walks when I can, or for a run
Chill plenty of champagne
Remember it's just being with your loved ones.

[aggga8]

I started making biscuits week ealier , gift i buy 2-3 weeks before Christmas.

[Diane1952]

My Christmas 2018 started in 2017. By the 30th December I had brought all my Christmas cards, wrapping paper, decorations and PJ's, socks, pants etc in the sales. Christmas Eve, no cooking, all of us off to McDonalds. Have done the same every year. It's tradition now.

[thatmustbenigelwiththebrie]

I just don't think Christmas is that stressful.

I buy a few bits online, wrap them when they arrive and buy some food to eat and that is it.

I don't really see the need for lists and stress.

[Badtasteflump]

Probably sounds really sad but I have a spreadsheet to keep a track of presents, how much I've spent, if parcels have arrived, been wrapped, etc. If not I wouldn't have a clue where I was with all the online shopping, etc. And having 3 DC, I also want to keep a track of keeping the spending fairly equal for each.

I also start the wrapping a few weeks before Christmas Day, tick off what I've wrapped (on my spreadsheet!) and hide them in my secret storage place.

I buy presents throughout the year because frankly if not it would be too expensive

Decorations go up around the 1st December - I need a few days to get them all up properly because we go totally OTT! I always chuckle to myself when I hear about people putting up their decorations on Christmas Eve - if I did that I would still be decorating on Boxing Day!

[Alanamackree]

As a mum, making the Christmas magic happen, falls largely to me. Whether that’s the magic of Santa’s visit, the alchemy of cooking a feast, the illusion of a spotless home, or the minor miracle of family harmony, while it’s satisfying it’s also hard work.
Each year I write myself a note for the next year, noting what was worthwhile, and what not to bother with. Those notes are worth their weight in gold. Over the years I’ve simplified what I buy, what I do, and what I stress about. I forget these things quickly but reading it in my own handwriting, underlined twice, is very compelling. I don’t waste energy cooking a pudding no one eats, but I do remember to get sweeteners in for the diabetic uncle’s tea, to sit so-and-so nearest the door for quick access to the loo, and to put an obscure Christmas carol on the playlist for my mil.
The notes help me focus on the people that I love, and the things that matter to them, rather than getting swept up in the hype and commercialism.

[Breadfoam]

I have an app on my phone for presents / costs and I keep a detailed sheet of how to cook Christmas dinner which I use again each year! It’s so I can remember what time everything needs to go in the oven.
I also used different wrapping for each child and a different wrap for those gifts that are meant to be from santa.
I start shopping in October so if I don’t write down what I’ve bought I’ve forgotten by December.

[daniel1996]

I usually buy things as I see them in the sales, on Ebay, and on Amazon, I will put them away and start wrapping the first week on December, I have tried lists, but don't usually stick to them. Things usually turn our alright - they only hiccup I usually have is distribution of the gifts - this is usually a last minute dash - so this year I intend to do this as early as I can.

[katiewalters]

I make a big list in november. Wrap presents as I get then, to do it all in one go would be too much. Start writing Christmas cards end of november, to post start if December. My 5 and 9yr old write their own classmates christmas cards, so they start from november, as they have 30 each to do, so can do then a few at a time.

[BlytheSpiritsSpirit]

I have a spreadsheet that I've tweaked over the years that helps me track what I need to buy, what's been ordered, what's stashed away and where. I also track prices so I stay within a budget.

Food wise, we are planning on simplifying this year, as we went way overboard last year and felt quite gluttonous.

[treegone]

I stay organised by not overdoing it. Our house is small so not a huge amount of decorations go up. Don't buy loads of presents and don't stress about what to do. I'm never organised with the food so have probably already missed out for booking a delivery and will have to go into the shop in the week leading up. That's not so good, but I just can't be bothered to think about that much stuff for one day. It'll be fine whatever happens.

[lolly2011]

I have lots of lists, I stagger my shopping from September, everytime we go shopping we add a treat item that is on offer, the stash not being able to touch until christmas day. Make a list of who you need to buy for and what and the start looking for discount codes and deals. Monitor Amazon, Black Friday deals etc and take advantage of these to save money.

[Blazedout]

I have a week to view diary that is listed with all upcoming appointments and plays/parties etc. DH and I have booked our leave. All Christmas presents have been listed and wrapped in different designs of wrapping paper. I've run down the freezer and have started to add the main things for Christmas Dinner to our weekly shopping list. Our Christmas cards have been written and are ready to pop in the post box. All decorations have been checked for breakages and lights bulbs not working. We also have a couple of spare just in case presents. We're quite organised this Christmas (for a change)

[mumsbe]

I start preparing at the end of October. I make lists and put everything on the calender. I start getting all tickets for pantos, christmas discos, meals with entertainment and of course visits to santa/ trips. We don't get too much for Christmas we save our money for the sales we enjoy the social side more and of course the Carol services/ christingle. The kids always get what they want but just not loads or extemly expensive. The kids get all year and we enjoy our holidays.

[MrsFrTedCrilly]

I love Christmas but refuse to get stressed about it. The mantra of “its only a day and a toast dinner” oft pops into my head!
In our family only children get gifts so that eases up things a huge amount. I think keeping things in perspective is my way of coping!

[Montydoo]

I am generally pretty organised, buying and wrapping throughout the year, I love lots of stocking fillers to open as well as the 'big present' but it's the last minute touches - getting the Santa Sack out, the foot prints to put 'snow' outside of, and the glitter for the 'magic dust' which comes out of Santa when he is leaving gifts - I find it quite magical ! I usually make a list of Christmas food must haves (having a Vegan and Vegetarian to think of - whilst not a problem means more searching - I have sourced my ingredients, I just need to make sure they are in my supermarket delivery. Job done !

[ThenBellaDidSomethingVeryKind]

I’m currently list making to keep track of the presents I’ve bought and to plan for Xmas food - I have 8 coming from 24th - 27th! Lists = life!

[Nsmum14]

We go to my mum and dad's for Christmas, so there's not that much for us to prepare! I buy gifts for us all and for friends and family the weeks before, but we don't go mad spending. To us Christmas is spending time together and going places we love and doing things we love. The day itself I personally am not that bothered about.

[stealthsquiggle]

Lots of lists at this point , but as it gets closer, mainly just keeping it simple.

We have no guests, we don’t go anywhere on Christmas Day.

We cook together, eat when it’s ready, and get dressed when/if we want to.