Christmas Survival List
We’ve created a checklist to help you relax this Christmas, a little bit of planning – and we’ve done that bit for you – is all you need and with a little bit of blatant self publicity we can help you with as much or as little of it as you like. This has been updated from last year after feedback we received from readers.
This is also available in PDF format please get in touch if you would like us to email you a copy.
Now
- Book train or plane tickets now if you’re travelling or ensure your car is serviced for long journeys.
- Book tickets to see a Christmas musical, ballet, pantomime or show.
- Invite guests for Christmas Day and/or the holidays.
- Buy presents for international friends and family.
- Write the Round Robin letters if you do one.
- Post international Christmas gifts. (see the Royal Mail Christmas posting dates)
- Book venues for Christmas Parties or Christmas Day.
- Buy Advent calendars.
- Arrange for carpets, windows, chimneys to be professionally cleaned.
- Arrange any DIY or handyman repairs.
- Arrange house cleaning.
- Create present shopping list include people (family, friends, staff, clients, neighbours, teachers) and budget. Write your list in an editable Word (or similar) document or maybe a Notes app on your phone so you have the list with you all the time. For those of you who like the look and feel of pen and paper, keep a notepad and a pen at all time. When you see something you think will be perfect for a loved one, either write it down, ask the shop to ‘hold’ it for you or, preferably but it there and then and ask them to gift-wrap it. Write a gift tag or put a post-it note with the name of the recipient on it when you arrive home and put it with all the others you have bought.
- Don’t forget we also have a range of Gift of Time Vouchers tailored for every need for those impossible to buy for people.
First full week of December
- Write a list of what you’ve got in your diary – arrivals, departures, names, numbers, your, your partner, your children commitments … Make sure everyone keeps it updated & keep it somewhere everyone can access it
- Buy a tree or get one delivered.
- Buy presents for staff; clients; family, work colleagues, and a few extra small gifts for any unexpected guests.
- Write Christmas card list
- Buy Christmas cards
- Think of Christmas menu – order turkey, goose, duck and don’t forget vegetarians.
- Don’t forget to check that the turkey etc fits into the oven!
- Check Christmas lights bulbs & wiring, buy spare bulbs.
- Check Christmas decorations and don’t forget the table.
- Check supplies of candles (trim the wicks of those you have), napkins, glassware and plates.
- Prepare guest room for visitors.
- Plan food and drink grocery list.
- Book supermarket online delivery slots if you shop online, you can always amend your shopping list closer to the date.
- Buy Christmas party outfits if you haven’t done so already.
- Work out what can be prepared in advance and start working on them especially if it can be frozen.
Second Week of December
- Make space in your fridge and cupboards to store your Christmas goodies.
- Buy drinks and non perishable grocery shopping.
- Buy wrapping paper, cellotape and gift tags.
- Ensure enough glasses, cutlery, crockery, glassware, serving plates, chairs, bedding and towels for visitors and guests.
- Buy or have delivered Christmas tree. Remember to measure height and width of room into which tree is going.
- Put up Christmas tree and house decorations.
- Keep your diary (and your other half’s) up to date with all family members events.
- Arrange baby sitters.
- Send out Christmas cards and presents. Ask us for last posting dates.
- Confirm expected guests (don’t forget to ask about pet or food allergies and preferences) and plan accordingly.
- Post gifts within UK.
- Make a list of what can be delegated, people are usually happy to help; include everyone including your other half and children. Don’t think about doing everything yourself, it’s too much and you don’t want to exhaust yourself and on that note…
- Treat yourself something nice and relaxing!
The Week Before Christmas
- Double check you have a gift for everyone on your list, and wrap presents.
- Buy batteries (and spares) for toys that require them and for remotes.
- Ensure any medical prescriptions are filled and you have enough.
- Clean your fridge and oven.
- Deliver any local gifts.
- Write out emergency contact numbers such as chemist, doctor, electricity and gas suppliers, emergency plumber and neighbours…and your lifestyle manager!
- Buy perishable foods.
- Make sure the pan is big enough to hold the turkey and that there is enough foil to cover it.
- Create a time plan for Christmas Day, remember to include preparation and defrosting times.
- Clean the house.
- Arrange suitable times to visit family and friends on Christmas Day.
- Write out a time plan for Christmas lunch so that you won’t be in a panic on the day.
- Make sure your camcorder and camera are in working order and filled with batteries (and that you have spares).
- Get 5p coins (take into account inflation…perhaps 20p) for Christmas pudding.
- Order flowers.
- Wrap presents, check that you have everything.
Christmas Eve
- Buy flowers for the house and table decoration.
- Wrap any remaining gifts.
- Run through menus and confirm you have all ingredients.
- Buy final perishable food items.
- Collect turkey, goose, duck, seafood etc.
- Gather all gifts for children’s stockings.
- Set table.
- Take turkey out of ‘fridge, replace with wine.
- Remove wishbone from turkey.
- Check timings for cooking turkey and Christmas lunch: create timetable if necessary and make sure you know how long things take to cook (yes I am speaking from experience!)
Christmas Day
- Turn on oven!
- Relax
- Delegate to family and friends.
- Enjoy yourself
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll update the blog with hints as to how to reduce stress and have a great and more to the point relaxing time over the holidays.
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As well as shopping, gift wrapping your presents, organising cards, anything on the list, call us on 020 3218 0053 or email us to discuss how we can help you with as much or as little as you need.
