Get ready for Christmas now - 10 steps
You might be thinking that it's far too early for the 'C' words but the reality is, it will come round quicker than we think!
Want to have a more relaxed and enjoyable Christmas this year? Getting ahead and planning now is be a great way to ensure a stress-free festive season.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get organised.
Create a budget
Use this time to estimate expenses covering all your gifts, decorations, food, travel, and any other holiday-related costs. It's important to then set spending limits and decide how much you want to spend in each of these different areas.
Make a gift list
Write down everyone you plan to buy gifts for in a handy recipient list. It doesn't need to be anything fancy but can be a place where you jot down ideas and start thinking about potential gifts for each person.
Take advantage of summer sales
One great way to save money is to grab yourself a bargain in summer/end of season sales. If you know what your friends and family want, it might be a good idea to buy the gifts and get a discount at the same time. This also means that you don't have to leave everything until last minute, which would potentially make December very stressful and expensive.
Plan travel
If you are heading away this year, you should book flights, trains, care hires, accommodation ahead to not only ensure a good price but guarantee you can arrange what you need.
Summer is a great time to find good deals on holiday travel for those looking to get a bit of winter sun.
Organise your social events
Planning to get your friends and/or family together to celebrate? With it being an busy period for most people, it would be a good idea to suggest a few dates and start planning the event.
Update your card list
Are all your contacts up to date? Make sure you check that you have the current addresses for everyone on your list, especially if anyone you know has moved in 2024.
Decorations and home prep
Go through your decorations and check what you have and what you might need. If there are any that old and unusable, be sure to get rid of them now. You could also start making handmade decorations if you fancy getting creative.
Menu planning
Plan festive meals and think about the dishes you want to prepare, and also test new recipes Summer is a good time to try out new things without the rush or stress of it being Christmas.
Plan for guests' stays
Ensure you have everything needed for overnight guests and if required, make renovations to the room. Spend time decluttering, tidying and cleaning to ensure it looks its best when people come round to stay.
Self-care
Don't forget to schedule time for yourself to ensure you’re not overwhelmed when we do get to the holidays. As
Another self-care tip is to take care of any health appointments before the busy season (if you can and are able to.)
By planning ahead in the summer, you can spread out the tasks and expenses associated with Christmas, making it much more enjoyable and less stressful when it finally comes around.