With only weeks until Christmas, it’s time to reconvene to see where you are with your Christmas prep. Some of you will have been ticking off the to-do list for some weeks (months even), but for the rest of us, the first week of December truly marks the countdown to festivities. Whichever organised camp you are in, we’ve pulled together a Christmas prep guide, including a FREE Christmas prep checklist, to help keep you on track this December.
Plan your festivities activities
Whether you are spending Christmas with family, going abroad, or hosting Christmas at home, make sure your plans have been arranged in advance, along with any hotel or travel bookings you may need to make. Now is the time to tie up any loose arrangements. The same goes for any festive activities or family outings – ensure restaurant bookings, visits to Santa and community events, especially ticketed ones, are pre-booked to avoid disappointment.
Decorating the house for Christmas is a highlight during the festive period and a treasured tradition for many families. If possible, make a checklist of your decorations before you put them up, checking to see if anything has broken and if they still suit your décor style. Early December is a great time to decorate your home for Christmas, with tradition dictating that Christmas trees should be up at the start of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. Whichever date you choose, be prepped with everything needed for a festive spruce.
Gifting
Shopping for Christmas gifts can be an overwhelming task, especially if time isn’t on your side and you’re not sure what to buy. We recommend writing a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for, setting a budget aside, and exploring gift guides for inspiration. We always find dedicating at least a couple of days to shopping, either in person or online, a great way to tick off the gift list fast, avoiding the stress of last-minute shopping closer to the big day. However, if you haven’t managed to tick everything off by mid-December, make sure you note down final shipping dates to avoid missing out.
When it comes to wrapping presents, doing this as you shop helps to make the process quicker – just don’t forget to add labels to avoid confusion! Another task you can easily complete early is writing Christmas cards, a job we often put to the side for a later date, but it’s best to do it sooner rather than later so you don’t forget. Posting gifts or cards overseas? Don’t forget to check the final postage and get them sent before the deadline.
Food
You will have ideally planned out where you are spending Christmas Day and whether you’re the one hosting dinner or not by early December. If you are hosting and like to do your food shop online, make sure you book your delivery time slot in advance to get the ideal date. However, if you plan on food shopping in person, carve out dedicated time in your diary to conquer the supermarkets. Planning you Christmas menu and writing a shopping list is key to ensuring you don’t miss anything. Remember to also order any meats or seafoods from butchers and fishmongers in advance so you don’t get caught short.
When it comes to food prep, there is a lot you can do in advance to make life easier. Sunday 26th November is known as Stir Up Sunday, the traditional time to bake your Christmas bakes. If you missed out, don’t worry there is still time. You can make and freeze pastry ready for mince pies and biscuits, and Christmas puddings and fruit cakes can be made ahead and ‘fed’ to keep them moist. When it comes to Christmas dinner prep, start cooking things you can freeze or keep chilled in the refrigerator ahead of time, such as cranberry sauce, pickles, pigs in blankets, and roast potatoes.
Entertaining
If you’re entertaining over the festive period, we recommend having a deep clean of your house a week or two before the event. If you’re hosting Christmas Day dinner, there’s a few things you can do to prepare your kitchen which you can explore here, but a clear-out of the fridge and freezer is key, making room for fresh groceries and any leftovers. We’d also recommend doing a little inventory to make sure you have everything you need, allowing enough time to order more should you need them, such as:
- Crockery – plates, bowls, side plates and dinner plates
- Glassware – wine glasses, champagne flutes, tumblers
- Serveware – platters, trays, bowls and cutlery
- Cookware – roasting trays, loaf pans, cake tins
- Accessories – placemats, tablecloth, napkins, candles
It’s also a good idea to make plans for overnight guests in advance, so you can decide where everyone will be sleeping and ensure you have all the extras you may need - bedding, toiletries etc.
When it comes to setting the table for Christmas Day, if you have the space, we highly recommend setting it before the big day to give you one less thing to worry about on the day and to ensure it’s exactly how you like it. If you’re not sure where to start or need a little inspiration, take a look at our tips for styling a Christmas table.
We hope this guide has been helpful in setting you up for a smooth and stress-free Christmas, but to keep you on track for the rest of the month download your FREE Christmas Prep Checklist below.
Simply download, print off, and keep somewhere handy.