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

[cookiemonster66]

I use a spreadsheet, so I list ideas for presents, then move it over when bought. I save up all my loyalty points/offers/money cashback and redeem in November, so Christmas does not really cost me anything much!

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Start present buying around start of nov. Keep a spreadsheet to record what’s done and what’s still needed. Wrap presets once a week on day off so not too many to do at once and store in loft. Lights up earlier but tree in dec. lots of lists and planning.

[WheresTheCoffee]

I plan ahead and make lots of lists. We have quite a communal meal so most of our guests contribute which cuts down on the cooking!

[tigercub50]

Just to say it’s “ cue” not “ queue” - sorry!
I buy presents through the year & try to pick up the special cards eg Mum & Dad, brother etc in the sales. Another vote for lists. Couldn’t function without them! This year I am cutting right back on food as we waste so much. There’s only 3 of us, except on Christmas Day when my parents join us. Less shopping means more time to organise other things.

[Wishonastar77]

I start adding treats to my monthly shopping in September. I also have a present notebook - essentially a notebook filled with lists of gift ideas/purchases for my family. Helps me keep a track of money spent.

[notdancingbutplodding]

Cut back on everything. No presents for adults, minimal decorations. Wait for supermarket offers for shopping. Get shopping delivered. Offer to host if foodie relatives will cook.

Find one or two things that really mean Christmas to you and make a few moments to enjoy them. I love listening to carols by the light of the tree with a glass of something in my hand.

FaceTime rather than visit!

[Snog]

I have stayed organised this year by really cutting back on what I do - delegating tasks, simplifying Xmas, agreeing with friends to stop exchanging gifts.

I'm just picking a few Xmas things to do rather than trying to do all of them. And most of all ditching the guilt!

[Jux]

"cue the Christmas films...." surely? . Tut tut MN!

[Ceecee18]

Christmas shopping and present wrapping gets done by December 1st. Then it's just decorations up and making ahead (and freezing) some food bits (stuffing, gravy, pigs in blankets and cake) in December and lots of Christmas themed events and activities!

[NastyCats]

I can recommend a books called Unplug the Christmas Machine - it helps you work out your priorities at Christmas and avoid overload and relationship tensions.

[Lulabellx1]

I'm NOT organised! Not this year. I usually have it pretty much sorted by now but haven't really started... panic, panic.

[MargoLovebutter]

The endlessly rotating and refreshed list in my head gets fuller and longer in the run up to Christmas.

I know who I've got to get gifts for, so I do that online in the evenings after work.

I know what food I'll have to get, so I order that all online well in advance.

I also order in lots of wrapping paper, gift tags and cards.

I have a list of labels for people I send cards to, which I update during the year when addresses change.

Christmas decs all in a huge box in the shed, including the tree. Will all be pulled out and put up the first weekend of December.

Press repeat every year and get hugely excited about 27th December, when I can actually relax.

[Bumblebeans]

I never get very flustered by Xmas. I enjoy shopping for gifts and DH organises food /drink delivery. We use a large calendar and everyone keeps it up to date

[Gazelda]

I am notorious for my organisational spreadsheets! They have dates, events, meal plans, gift lists etc. And I save them to refer to the following year.

[iwillkeepthishouseclean]

Lists, lists and more Lists!

Mainly though an excel spreadsheet that calculates all the budgets for 5 children how much I've spent and how much more I need !

I know what I've spent 10 years ago for Xmas !

[Sammyislost]

Apart from present buying throughout the year, I must say I am really unorganised right up until the last week! And then I start wrapping, food shopping etc, and go through everything, making lists in my notepad as I go.

For Christmas dinner, using the Amazon Echo is a life saver - I tell her to set timers, and she really helps keep me on track!

[Bebe03]

A large list with reasonable amounts on. Aim to get everything done December the 1st, make any food- stuffing, red cabbage etc in advance & freeze. Same with mince meat for the pies & the Christmas cake

[lololove]

I've been looking for a Christmas planner for ages that covered what I needed it to and there was nothing that covered all sections that I wanted to keep on top of - I also wanted to cover birthdays and anniversaries and other special occasions too.

So I have made my own in a form where you can add sections in as I need them/think of them rather than in a notebook where I can't remove without ripping them out and can't add in without basically sellotaping them in.

I use a disk bound book that I've created (think happy planner) and I punch my own pages/printables and draw my own tables etc.

It means I have up to date addresses (and I make sure I update it as SOON as someone moves so I know that it's always got the correct details in it) always on hand rather than having to search and search.

I also include important dates, presents bought, present ideas (like if the person has mentioned other things that they want/like during the years), what you've given someone over the years (so you don't double up), food already bought, food needing to be bought (and a master list so things aren't forgotten year to year), important things needed (for example tape, if i'm low on wrapping paper etc), christmas card lists, craft ideas, a regifting page ( - who gave what and who it might be suitable for/has gone to), menu ideas, people info (ie my cousin is seriously allergic to something so extra care is needed if she sleeps over etc), menu ideas, meal plans, recipes to try, folders for important things (cinema tickets, panto tickets), detailed calendar for Nov, Dec, First week of Jan so I can keep track of everything, at a glance calendar for those times too etc etc etc.

Essentially I need to know where I am, where my things are and what I'm doing because otherwise I'm sat their Christmas morning watching people open gifts that i've bought for them and I'm just as surprised by what they've got because I can't remember after wrapping (and after buying too haha!)

Overkill perhaps but I have dyspraxia and I have to keep myself organised and together and everything written down or I'm lost.

[Jasquers]

My daughter's birthday is in October and my son's end of November...so nothing gets organised for Christmas until the start of December! It focusses the mind. Lots of online shopping for gifts and food. No one knows the difference!

[Pipsqueak11]

Keep list of pressies given last year to avoid duplicates .
Do as much as possible on line and also via cash back sites to maximise spending power,
Then sort pressies as purchased /delivered into different household piles . Family a all together . Family b all together and so on

[Livinglavidal0ca]

I have lots of lists, set up a shared calender for me and DP so we can put everything in there like staff meals etc. Christmas lists for everyone in my notes, and a new budget to cover Christmas spending.

[spinabifidamom]

I’m a huge list maker. I have to go place my Christmas food order at my local supermarket tomorrow morning. I’ve made a list of what each family member wants.
My husband is responsible for logs and firewood too. What are your plans for Christmas? Got any nice things lined up or not?

[Funnyface1]

I focus on getting the kids presents all sorted first because they are the most important and it makes me feel prepared.

I make a lot of lists and try to have most of my shopping done by the end of November so that I don't get caught up in all the chaos of December shopping.

I order what I can online because it's hard to do the shopping sneakily now that my eldest is 8.

[justforareply]

I start very early with presents for DC - June usually
Good lists for presents for family- buy stuff people actually want
Decide on menu's early with family so we all know what to buy foodwise over the festivities
It's only a roast meal on the day tbh - not too hard. We like having the same things each year for the day itself
Slightly disorganised informal meals with friends - little planning
I'm so looking forward to it 😄

[Greensleeves]

I keep lists - a lot of lists!

i keep a running tally of what I have for each child in terms of presents and stocking fillers - I have two boys close in age, so balance is important!

I don't send unnecessary Christmas cards. I work out early on how many cards I am sending and to whom, and I get them out in the first week of December.

I am religious about marking commitments in November and December on the family calendar and setting text alerts to remind me of upcoming events; if I didn't, I would quickly be swamped and double-booked with family activities, children's school commitments, family visits and my business commitments which tend to escalate around Christmas.

I start the process of chivvying dh and the children to think about budgeting and doing their own Christmas shopping early, so that I don't end up landed with it all in the week before Christmas.

I meal plan the Christmas week down to the last sprout and check it all off on a list when I've got everything.