Be. Prepared. Here at Yuletide Wishes, we believe that planning ahead at Christmas is essential if you want to retain your sanity. We admit that this is easier said than done. We will also acknowledge that we are just as guilty as you are for making big plans and then not following through with them. But we also know that this year will be different! So, what can you do to get organized and ensure that Christmas passes off without a hitch? Read on and find out!
1. Do a stocktake at the end of every Christmas.
We understand that you’ll probably want some time to recover but planning for the next one really has to start as soon as the last one finishes. Make a note of what you have left, how much you used, and what you need to buy. Do you need to buy more wrapping paper, or do you still have plenty? Don’t worry too much if Christmas is long over, and everything is now packed away in the loft. Work off what you can remember, and then stocktake from this Christmas onwards. This is also the time to prepare your gift list.
2. Set a budget.
Once you have worked out what you think you will need, then set a budget. And we mean you set a budget and stick to it. It is challenging to plan ahead at Christmas if you do not know how much money you can afford to spend. You’ll need an overall budget as well as a budget for specific items. Make sure you include a breakdown for gifts, food, decorations, and travel. It is a lot easier to keep track of your budget if you start your planning and purchasing early. Leaving everything until December will mean things will become rushed and chaotic meaning you are more likely to overspend as a result.
3. Buy gifts and Christmas items in sales throughout the year.
Once you have done a stocktake and worked out what you need to purchase, you should start buying straight away. The January sales are a great time to pick up discounted Christmas items such as wrapping paper, decorations, or a new artificial tree. The summer sales are an excellent opportunity for purchasing gifts. Not only will you pick up some great bargains, but you will also be spreading your costs out across the entire year.
4. Wrap any gifts as soon as you buy them.
Getting into this habit will mean you can avoid the panic of any last-minute wrapping the night before Christmas. Have all your presents wrapped also helps prevent children from taking a sneak peek at what you might have bought them. If your gifts are kept in bags instead of being wrapped, then it is easy for them to look and leave you none the wiser.
5. Keep a gift log of what you buy people each year.
This will prevent you from buying people the same or similar gifts. More importantly, it will help remind you of what a person likes. What you bought them last year can also help you decide what to buy this year. No more having to call family and friends to ask which child likes Harry Potter and which one prefers Star Wars!
6. Make a note of important dates.
This may seem obvious, but when are the festive lights being switched on in your town? Refuse and recycling collection days often over change over the festive period. When will they be collecting from your home? When will your local supermarket be opening over Christmas? Planning ahead at Christmas is just as much about knowing when something will occur as it is about taking action.
7. Last date for posting a letter or receiving a delivery.
Although we do not recommend leaving this until the very last minute, you always need to be prepared for the unexpected. If you need to send a letter or parcel at the last minute, what is the final date you can post something and guarantee it will arrive before Christmas? The same applies when receiving deliveries. If you need to make any last-minute online purchases, then when is the latest you can do this?
8. Book any events in advance.
Will you be visiting family or friends any time over Christmas? We suggest that you book your tickets or any accommodation in advance. Are you going to any specific events? Will you be going to see a show at the theatre or taking your children to see Santa Claus? Booking events early will usually save you money. It will also help you beat the rush as they start to sell out.
9. Prepare a food planner.
Think of this as a long-term meal plan rather than one for cooking your family dinner on the big day itself (although having one of those is essential too). Write down everything you will want to eat and drink over Christmas and then use this to work backward and determine the soonest these items can be prepared. What can be made in advance and then stored or frozen until needed? Many things can be made weeks, in fact, months before they are required.
You should also write down a shopping list for the food and drink items you need to purchase. Buying them slowly and early will help you spread the cost. Want to stock up on red wine? Then why not start buying a few bottles at a time over the preceding months. As well as being well prepared, you will get to avoid the worst of the supermarket crush that starts to occur from early December.
10. Check you have enough cookware, crockery, and cutlery.
If you are planning a big party or having people over for dinner, we recommend that you work out if you have enough equipment first! If you are cooking dinner, then why not have a dry run a few weeks before? Invite some friends and family over for a Sunday roast and practice cooking for a large number of people. You will soon learn if you have enough oven space as well as all the other essentials for cooking Christmas dinner. If you do not have enough equipment, then can you ask to borrow some from a neighbor? If your oven is too small, then can you cook your Turkey first and leave to rest while you prepare the vegetables? Will any of your guests be willing to cook something and bring it with them on the day?
11. Stock up on the essentials.
We all love to spend time thinking about the exciting parts of Christmas but, what about the things that are a little more mundane? While it is important to ensure you have a range of homemade snacks and enough eggnog to feed an army of elves, but do you also have enough toilet roll? Think about those things that no one really notices, but no household can live without. Have you got spare batteries to go inside any new toys for your children (including any you might not have bought yourself)? Have you filled your car with fuel in case you need to go somewhere?
12. Create a TV planner.
One of the most disappointing things at Christmas is realizing that you have missed something you wanted to watch on television. We’ll admit that this is not as big of a problem as it used to be because of the number of available streaming services, but it still pays to plan ahead. We suggest that you go online and make a note of all the programs and movies that you would like to watch. Not only does it mean you will not miss anything, but it also means you can plan some downtime, either on your own or with your family. It is also a great excuse to block out your calendar and say no to any invitations and spend the time at home relaxing.
So, these are our twelve tips to help you plan ahead for Christmas. Hopefully, you found this information useful, and, like us, you will stick to your promise to be better organized this year! Or from next year. Probably.