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

Lists, lists and more lists! Food shopping, meal planning, present buying, wish lists for relatives to buy presents from, Christmas card recipients to name but a few!

Plenty of lists, usually start buying one present a week starting in September.

Plenty of lists! Try and start buying as early as possible - it does help!

The massive tidy / declutter before the influx of visitors takes days and is probably the most stressful part of preparations!
I tend to view the dinner itself as a glorified roast dinner with all the extras rather than just a few. Seems to work well for us

I do begin my preparations early I usually start at the end of November, that's early for me. I do make several big lists and write down everything we all need to buy and do. I don't split the responsibility out across my family. I order some presents online to save time but not food. I will buy decorations and presents throughout the year if I see anything that I might want. We do sometimes stop off at McDonalds for a quick snack while we are out shopping.

I start my preparations early! I try to buy cards and wrapping paper in the January sales and then start buying gifts in about September. I aim to have all the presents bought by the beginning of December, which means I can then focus on the food shopping.
A shared family diary on our iPads helps to keep a track of Christmas festivities such as parties, work ‘do’s’ etc

LISTS. Also setting deadlines for myself ridiculously early as I know I'll miss them.

Lists, lists and more lists. I also start early so that I don't get too stressed by it all.

I make lists and cross things off as I go and I set reminder alarms in my diary to do things on specific dates so as to stay on schedule

All about multiple spreadsheets!

One for costings for our home in December. Food, general shopping, etc
One for gifts for family and friends.
One for Boxing Day sale needs/wants & musts!

I write lots of lists of what needs to be done and make certain fridges and freeze them

That way we aren't spending all of Christmas cooking but are instead spending it making memories with the family

I make a list, crossing out and adding as I go, doing it little and often as time allows... :)

I start early ordering presents online & buying luxury food items when they're on special at Tesco to make up hampers as presents for my family

Really really bad at this to be honest. I write lists of everyone who needs a present, but that’s about it!

Make sure I've done my Christmas shopping by the end of November

We dont go mad but make a little effort to make it special - we use our old decorations (once in a while i buy something new) but i only put them up two weeks before so we dont get sick of them! I also like to pick up bits for christmas week in my shop from end of october onwards, especially things like chocolate that is on offer but is always full price near the festive season - I hide it all in a clean pillowcase in the tumble dryer - no one EVER looks in there (so keep it ssssh). I find then its not as much money to do the christmas food shop as i normally already have in the pudding, choc, snacks, drinkiepoos etc its mainly the turkey and fresh veg for the last week along with our usual shop. We dont give lots of presents and usually its only the kids in the family we buy for - its not that we are mean or humbugs we just would rather spend the money having fun between us all or buy something that we would all enjoy rather than one person.

I dont panic and buy and wrap early no point in stressing it. So long as kids are sorted

Lists, Lists and more lists

I buy most presents online in the 3 months leading up to Christmas.
I buy a few bits any time I go out (not often).
I order a few non perishables every week with my grocery order to spread the cost.
We spend Christmas a my parents but we all take stuff to contribute. I'm going to order the turkey this afternoon!

i am very disorganised but it works in as much as my children change their minds a million times before christmas so i tend to leave shopping til the last minute.

By making list of tasks to do and when they need to be done by .

I love lists and I love preparing as soon as possible.
I buy things in the sale after Christmas (wrapping paper, decorations, etc) and put them in the loft for next year.
I don’t tend to buy presents then as interests change so much but I will buy presents from October onwards to split the cost.
I also make a lot of lists to keep me on track - lists of presents, jobs, etc

We keep everything low key and generally eat a Christmas meal on new years eve freeing Christmas day up. I have an extensive list and work my way through it ticking something off each day. I only send cards to a handful of people having made an agreement with other friends/family not to bother.

I buy as many Xmas presents as I can throughout the year, but also buy online in the sales, so I have a stock ready to go! I also cook meals when I have spare time to freeze for that manic pre Xmas period.

im not sure i do stay organised , i used to be but now i just hope for the best