With Christmas only just around the corner, it’s all too easy to keep putting off the preparation, thinking that you have enough time! Who else has gone to start organising it all and realised that you are suddenly a week or two out from Christmas?
To avoid that dread situation and rush of panic and stress, here’s our guide on how to beat the Christmas rush!
1. Make a budget
Organise a budget on how much you are willing to spend over the holiday season. Your budget should include how much you will spend on gifts for your family and/or friends, any holidays that you may be going away on, social activities such as going out for drinks and dinner and food for Christmas lunch. If you have more events or purchases planned for this time of year, include this on your budget too! Planning how much you are willing and able to spend over the Christmas time is super important to ensure that you are well prepared for the upcoming and expenses, and don’t leave you stressing about over-spending.
2. Make a gift list
Make a list of every person you need to buy a gift for! Think friends, family/relatives, godparents/godchildren, bosses and teachers! When writing your gift list, try and include what you intend to buy them or any rough ideas if you are not entirely sure. Our top tip for Christmas gifts is to try and be sustainable in your gift choices. Think of gifting an experience, gifting them a donation to a charity/sponsor a child, making something yourself, home-baked goods or something that you know they will love and cherish. Also, a reminder to take note of any gifts that need to be posted, particularly your overseas receivers! Take note of postage delivery times to ensure that the parcel or card arrives before Christmas! Another tip is to wrap as you buy – this prevents any little eyes spying up their gifts early, and also prevents the last-minute Christmas Eve wrapping frenzy.
3. Order the food/drinks & design the breakfast/lunch and/or dinner menu
Make sure you have ordered the turkey, ham and anything else that needs to be pre-ordered well in advance of Christmas lunch! If you know you are hosting something on Christmas day (or days prior or after), design your menu now so you know what to buy closer to the date. This ensures you can have everything pre-bought and avoids the mad dash to the shops on Christmas Eve (only to find that everything is sold out anyway).
4. Organise who is hosting what
Organise between family and friends where Christmas lunch or dinner is being held early on (if this is applicable).
5. Decorate
Get in the festive spirit and enjoy the lights by decorating your home. We love to maximise the festive spirit by popping up your lights and Christmas tree.
6. Prepare your guest rooms
If you know you are having any guests stay at your home over the Christmas period, prepare the guest bedroom or space they will be sleeping in. Put fresh linen on the beds and pop a new towel and face cloth out as well! On the day of their arrival, leave out water and glasses (and anything else you wish) for them to have available. These are our best tips on how to stay ahead of the Christmas rush! Christmas is such a fun time of year, and by being prepared for all the madness that it (really) does involve, our Christmas prep allows you to truly enjoy the season and get involved in the festive spirit!