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 write lists for everything and buy what I can online.
Saves time around the shops and I usually don’t forget anything or anyone then!

I love Christmas! So try to have a Christmas run up full of anticipation and not too hectic. I enjoy all the prep for Christmas so do a gentle build up starting in October.
(I too buy a few bits in the January sales, cards, wrapping and crackers. )
I only buy for my 3dc and a grown up niece and nephew, so I buy presents through October, November and finishing off at the beginning of December.
During November I have been getting new things for the Christmas dining table, some new glasses, runner, proper napkins etc.. talking to the family about how they want the table, what style tree this year etc
Christmas pudding was made mid November
By the first week in dec all non perishables and pressies have been bought, so we can enjoy some festive cheer!

Oh forgot to say that I use Mumsnet Christmas threads as inspiration, thank you everyone😁🎄

I buy a lot of presents early. Dc are done.. I bought a lot from September onwards. I save money for presents (holidays etc) in another account.

Cards are bought and Santy is wrapped and in the attic. Few vouchers to get - that saves hassle and people prefer them

I make my own mincepies and will make the mincemeat next weekend. Also Jamie's get ahead gravy is lovely.

But I buy a lot already prepped- stuffing and potato gratin.

Santa and theatre tickets were also booked back in September. I booked a days annual leave for the last week before schools break up to spring clean my house and grocery shop without the dc

Lots of lists! Aside from all the present buying and food prep, there are a tonne of Xmas performances between both kids various school clubs and when it's also a busy time of year at work, that makes it quite stressful to be able to be everywhere and not let a child down. So we have a calendar and my husband and I divide a conquer. I would really really love to have someone else wrap all the presents as that is a job that I can't bear.

I stay organised by post it notes on my fridge, and pull one off and put it in my purse when I am shopping I can cross off (mentally) what I have accomplished. It works - it's quick - it's visible - and they are hard to miss. I use this system throughout the year. I love the January sales, and the 75% off are brilliant, and to prevent me forgetting what I have bought, its a list in the loft which I look at around December, so I know who I have bought for and what they are getting. It works, and it saves sleepless nights of worrying and stressing. The big Christmas shop is on-line - so I can see on screen what I have, and it's easy to track and see what I've forgotten. Thank you.

I start shopping early so I don’t have to do it in the run up. I make sure I post early as well to avoid the post office queues. This year my mum is helping me with my wrapping so that’s a bonus. Really busy this December so hopefully will have the gift side mostly sorted by end of a November. Not hosting but have planned out Boxing Day brunch.

Two words - bullet journal! I have all my lists in there for christmas cards and present lists that I tick off when purchased. I tend to start thinking about it in late October and will pick up a few bits and pieces from then onwards to spread the cost. I ask family for ideas for their presents before Black Friday and then grab them if I see a good deal on something that's been requested!

I write my cards from 1st December, and wrap a few presents every night in the week before Christmas which gets me in the festive mood.

Lists! With the addition of a tick for bought, a dick for arrived (if bought online) and a dick if wrapped - all ticks in different colours with a key!! 🤣 only developed after many a disaster!

When it comes to dinner however I can't stand the pressure, im still early 30's so alternate between mine and dp's parents. I have 3 ds and I'm hoping that by the time mum retires from cooking I may have at least 1 DIL who will feed me 🤣🤣

I stay organised by using a gift list app. It shows each person I buy for, their budget, and I can add ideas, then if I've bought it yet and if I've wrapped it, tracking how much I've spent. It's marvellous!

I also have a simple to do list on my phone too so it's always with me.

In my first lunch hour in the new year I archive the spreadsheets from the year just gone and set up the year ahead.

I have one with tabs for all the Christmas presents and December birthdays (columns for budget and actual), stockings and crackers. It also provides a running total. Text is colour coded to show whether it's an idea or been bought, with cells filled once I have an entire present at home.
I also note/ colour code for when presents will be distributed.

Then I have one with a day-by-day plan from the weekend around 15th Dec until 1st Jan. It also has a tab for food plans over the period and one I've set up so you just enter the weight of the turkey and the time you want to eat and it gives you all the timings from when the oven gets switched on to warm up.

I also have shopping lists and other bits written in notebooks. And a review of what did or didn't work each year.

I book our shopping deliveries for all of December as soon as they open, and I'll plan out when I'm doing bits of baking etc and order the ingredients for the relevant delivery.

I’m a massive list maker. Lists for everything from presents to food.
This year I need to be super organised as I will be working full time by Christmas so much less time for shopping and planning.
I’m hoping to stay on track and get all my presents wrapped and under the tree by the 23rd so I can relax and enjoy the actual days

Plan ahead - definitely lists and then I can cross off what I have got and not buy duplicates (which I have done before!) or forget someone. I also do my food shopping as early as I can and then go shopping again on the 23/24 December for fresh vegetables.

I just don’t make it into a big thing. Bros/sisters get standard pressies like nice wine or food. Oh and I just buy ourselves something we want like a new tv. Also sakes start on Xmas eve so actually last minute can be beneficial.

Plan, plan, plan. I like to have everything done a couple of days before Christmas eve, so I can do Christmas activities with the dcs

I have a scribbled sheet of the important parts of the meal I need to buy.
The DC do Amazon wish lists as a couple of relatives ask for ideas, and I buy a lot of what we get on Amazon or on line elsewhere.
I keep a spreadsheet listing number of presents each for DC and cost so that we make it equal. I also try to add what I've bought for other relatives - more than once I've accidentally bought two things for SIL.

Online shopping for food and presents. Cards and wrap purchased in the January sales for next Christmas. Lists for everything - food, presents, things to do etc.

I also spread the cost by buying throughout the year and adding Christmas food and drink to my online shop every week from about September - and then try not to eat it all before December!

I try and buy little bits throughout the year in the sales but don’t really get stressed by it all. Having lost too many loved ones just being with my family is the most important thing.

Food list
Present list
Decorations list
Card list..

You get the idea!? I also have a list of lists just to make sure I haven't missed one! I take great pleasure in crossing things off my list too. I honestly couldn't cope without it.

Budgets, lists, spreadsheets 😆 sad but true.

I know how much money I have for celebrations/gifts/decorations/special treats, I know what I need to buy and when, and I kept track of how I am doing.

Occasionally extra money comes in andwe can do something off script but generally I stick to the plan.

Lists and spreadsheets are my friends and I keep a note book in my handbag to jot things down or use my phone notes app.
Buy essentials the weeks running up to Christmas so as it's not all in one go and
keep things simple when it comes to the Big Day and other get togethers hosted around the day, if I can make the actual event easier by making ahead I do.

I keep written to do lists and also keep a list of all the presents I've bought and cost so I can keep on top of it. I try and do things early and not do too much - it's best not to overwhelm yourself by trying to sort too many things. I always intend on doing Christmas craft projects but don't always get to it or finish them - but all the essential things get organised and done

I write lists on Notes on my phone.
A list of present ideas per person, which I tick off as I buy, and the amount paid next to it, so I can see what I’ve spent.
A list of food needed for Christmas week, and another for Christmas Day.
A list of jobs e.g. cleaning, changing beds etc.
This keeps me sane!

I start preparing at the start of October. I pick my apples then make and freeze the apple sauce. then Christmas puddings for myself, my mum and sister and a cake for myself, DH and kids. I make a rough gift list list and start buying them from early November. I also pick up ideas from conversations I have through the year for possible gift ideas. I have a spending amount in mind for Christmas for everybody as I have kids with birthdays in November and December too so need to budget carefully. I always try to get something my kids want, something they need and a surprise. Non perishable food items are bought a few at a time and when on offer, Christmas cards, cracker and gift wrap for next year are bought in the sales after Christmas. I wrap before Christmas eve, put my turkey in the oven late on Christmas Eve night and chill with a glass of wine while it cooks; frees the oven up for everything else on the day. Christmas lunch is at home then we go to my parents for tea with the rest of the family.