The holidays are the most magical time of the year. From twinkling Christmas lights to pine-scented tree farms, the season of hot chocolates and cosy films is long-awaited by all of us. To make the most of the festive season, being prepared and organised is absolutely key. So, to make sure everything goes without a hitch, follow our Christmas countdown to prepare for the festivities to come.
Budgeting and Planning
Christmas is notoriously hectic and expensive. With so many things to do, places to go, and friends and family to see, our calendars fill up fast, and everything has a price. To prepare for this, write a list of all of the Christmas activities you would like to enjoy with your friends and family and all of the loved ones you would like to buy presents for, and set a clear budget, split up into categories. This will help you to avoid overspending and be sensible about your purchases.Once you have your lists ready, start organising dates with your loved ones and booking tickets for your Christmas activities. This could be anything from Christmas markets to a trip to see Santa with your children. This is also a great time to start thinking about what you may want to get everything for their Christmas present, in line with your budget.As much as anything else, Christmas is a time to reflect on those who are less fortunate than us. If your children have a lot of unused toys, or if you have anything lying around the house that you’ve been meaning to rehome, don’t wait until after Christmas to have a clear out. Donate to a charity shop near you early in November to give those who have less the opportunity to buy gifts for Christmas.
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Deck the Halls
What is Christmas without fairy lights and tinsel?Before you start to decorate, retrieve your decorations from their storage place and take inventory. If anything is broken or simply looking worse for wear, consider replacing these items, donating anything salvageable to your nearest charity shop. Once this has been taken care of, turn on the festive tunes: it’s your turn to deck the halls!Start big with the larger items, moving onto smaller items towards the end of your decorating spree. This approach will allow you to space your decorations out well through the house, leaving no corner unadorned. Don’t forget the pièce de résistance: your Christmas tree! If you have a faux tree, dust it off and construct it in the heart of your home. Alternatively, don your winter boots and head down to your local tree farm to pick out this year’s pine. Don’t forget to add your star or fairy on top!
The Season of Giving
Whether you’re an online shopper or an in-person shopper, the next step is to start shopping for Christmas gifts. Having a pre-planned list of who you’re buying for and what they may like will make this process much simpler. If you’re a fan of a good deal, consider shopping on the Black Friday weekend to take advantage of companies’ best discounts. Don’t forget to buy Christmas cards and wrapping supplies including wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbon, tape, and perhaps even scissors to facilitate the next step. Turn the festive tunes back on: it’s time to wrap your haul and write your Christmas cards.For any cards and gifts that need sending in the post, get these sent early to ensure they arrive in time for Christmas. Keep anything you’ll be giving in person safely stashed underneath your Christmas tree!
Food and Drink
The turkey is the pièce de résistance of Christmas dinner, so ensuring you place a turkey order for a juicy, big turkey will be one of the most crucial parts of your Christmas dinner planning. When deciding on a size, remember to measure your oven, leaving room at the top for the fan, to ensure the turkey will fit inside. Once you have this settled, move onto making a list for the rest of your Christmas food shop, including any snacks and sweet treats. You may wish to do your Christmas shop online to avoid the infamous Christmas supermarket rush. Before checking out, take inventory of your alcohol cupboard: if you’re short on anyone’s favourite drink, now is the time to stock up!To be really prepared, consider doing your Christmas baking and making Christmas dessert well ahead of time. Gingerbread, shortbread, trifle, and figgy pudding are all crowd-pleasing favourites which make enjoyable Christmas bakes. You could even get your children involved in the fun, too.
Final Touches
In the final days leading up to Christmas, go around your house and give everything a good clean. A fresh house will help you to relax into the Christmas period and fully enjoy the festivities. If possible, you could even set your dining table with linens, dishes, and centrepieces in advance. This will save you a job on Christmas Day! If you are expecting guests, don’t forget to prepare your guest bedrooms for visitors. You could even consider making your guests a stocking to find at the end of their bed on arrival.Finally, prepare the perfect film reel and Christmas playlist to make sure everyone’s favourite Christmas film receives the screen time it deserves and there’s never a quiet moment. From The Ronettes to Michael Bublé, this is the perfect final step to finish off your Christmas countdown preparations and ensure a whimsical, magical Christmas for all the family.
