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With the official start of Summer on Friday the 1st of December - the countdown to Christmas really begins. With just four weeks until the most magical day of the year, it's time to embrace the spirit of the season and make the most of every moment. Finalise all your plans, start ticking off all the items on your “Christmas To Do List” and try to make the Christmas journey as stress-free as possible. Here are some of the things to do leading up to Christmas.
4 WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Finalise plans for Christmas day
If it’s at your house, you’ll be in charge. Don’t be afraid to delegate with specific instructions, so you don’t end up with three potato salads and no greens. If it’s at someone else’s place find out exactly what you’re expected to bring – or offer to bring your specialty dish! Find out in advance if anyone has any dietary requirements, Christmas Day is not a day to go hungry!
The essential grocery list
Start a master grocery list for your food shop – list everything you need to buy and where you get it. You can add to it as you remember things you’ll need. Then make a list for each shop – it will make life a lot easier and there’s less chance of forgetting something. You can also divide and conquer – you can go shopping together, arm yourselves with the list for a specific shop, split up and meet again for a coffee. It makes it less of a chore and more of an outing.
Order turkeys, hams and any seafood, so you can get the sizes you need and don’t miss out. Often you can order online and put your preferred collection date and time. Do it early so you can reserve your preferred timeslot.
Mail Christmas cards and presents
Cards in the mail may seem a little old-fashioned, but it’s the time of year that people love to receive a Christmas card – it’s a great way to keep in contact with people. Why not add a family newsletter complete with photos to keep people informed on all your news?
Mail out-of-town presents: Hopefully you’ve taken advantage of all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and have completed your Christmas shopping, and all your Christmas gifts are sorted. The sooner you post all your parcels the better but make sure you have all your gifts beautifully wrapped and in the mail by December 15th at the latest.
THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Put up the Christmas Tree
If you’re opting for a live Christmas tree, now is the time to buy it as it will stay fresh and retain its needles through to Christmas. Or get out your faux tree and pull the branches into the perfect tree shape, then add all your Christmas decorations to create the centrepiece of the living room. Wrap gifts and stack them under the tree to add to the festivities.
It’s definitely time to deck the halls and get the house looking as festive as possible – the sooner you decorate, the sooner you’ll be able to bask in the warm, fuzzy feeling of the festive season.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Now time’s running out, so you want to do as much as possible, to avoid last-minute panics!
Shop for non-perishable items
Buy alcohol, soft drinks and any canned goods or pantry staples you'll need.
Bake anything that can be frozen
It’s an absolute game-changer! Just make sure you make a note of when to start defrosting anything, you don’t want all your hard work ruined.
ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Deep clean your house
You'll enjoy your carefully decorated house even more if the floors are clean, the guest room is ready, and the kitchen is organised.
Clear out your refrigerator
Toss any old leftovers, and out-of-date jars to make room for turkeys, hams and any other ingredients that you’ll be trying to fit in the fridge.
Stock up on batteries for fairy lights and children's toys
There’s nothing worse than a Christmas tree without its twinkling lights or a child receiving a new toy that needs batteries and not having them on hand.
THREE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Shop for fresh ingredients
Hit the shops for all the fresh vegetables or fruit you need for meals.
Set the table
It’s one less thing you’ll have to do on Christmas Day! Take some time and create a perfect, slightly over-the-top centrepiece that leaves no doubt that you are celebrating Christmas.
Prepare the dishes
Get out all the platters and special dishes you’re planning on using. Make it even easier on the big day by putting a sticky note on each platter that states what dish you plan to serve on it. (That also allows people to help you in the kitchen without asking 12 times what goes on which platter, and you get everything just as you had planned in your head).
CHRISTMAS EVE
You may have a tradition or two you follow on Christmas Eve, if not, maybe it’s time to create a few.
If you can’t get to Carols by Candlelight – book a seat on the sofa and invite family and friends to enjoy the televised version with you – you can sing along until your heart’s content! Watch your favourite Christmas movie – again! Or just sit, relax and enjoy your perfect tree with the fairy lights and all the Christmas decorations.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas morning is a time of great excitement, present opening and last-minute preparations. Start the day with an easy, filling Christmas breakfast – lunch is inevitably later than the usual lunchtime. So now you should be ready for Christmas – and if you’ve forgotten something – don’t let it ruin your day – improvise! Probably no one else will even notice. Don’t forget to ask for help in the kitchen – many hands make light work and more fun!
Each of the four weeks of the Christmas countdown brings a unique thread of joy, kindness, creativity, and reflection to the grand tapestry of the season. Embrace the journey, savour every moment, and let the spirit of Christmas fill every corner of your home and life. As the magic of the season unfolds, remember that the true essence of Christmas is not in the presents under the tree, but in the presence of the people who hold a special place in your heart. May your holiday season be filled with love, warmth, and the joy of shared moments.
Merry Christmas!
