Successfully Survive Christmas
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 is also available in PDF format please get in touch if you would like us to email you a copy.
First Week of December
- 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.
- 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
- Invite guests for Christmas Day and/or the holidays.
- Create present shopping list include people (family, friends, staff, clients, neighbours, teachers) and budget
- Buy presents for international friends and family; staff; clients; family.
- Buy presents for work colleagues, friends, family and unexpected guests.
- Buy a few extra small gifts so you’re prepared for unexpected visitors.
- Write Christmas card list
- Buy Christmas cards
- Write round Robin
- Post international Christmas gifts.
- Book venues for Christmas Parties or Christmas Day.
- Think of Christmas menu – order turkey, goose, duck and don’t forget vegetarians.
- Check Christmas lights bulbs & wiring.
- Check Christmas decorations, don’t forget the table.
- Buy Advent calendars for children.
- Prepare guest room for visitors.
- Arrange for carpets, windows, chimneys to be professionally cleaned.
- Arrange any DIY or handyman repairs.
- Arrange house cleaning.
Second Week of December
- Make space in your fridge and cupboards to store your Christmas goodies.
- 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 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.
- Buy Christmas party outfits if you haven’t done so already.
Third Week of December
- 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.
- Post gifts within UK.
- Deliver any local gifts.
The Week Before Christmas
- 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, 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).
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.
- Get 5p coins (take into account inflation…perhaps 20p) for Christmas pudding.
- Take turkey out of ‘fridge, replace with wine.
- Check timings for cooking turkey and Christmas lunch.
Christmas Day
- Relax
- Enjoy yourself!
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll update the blog with hints as to how to reduce stress and a more detailed timetable for Christmas Day itself, so don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to keep informed.
