HOW TO PLAN AHEAD FOR CHRISTMAS


It’s hard to believe it’s the middle of November already.  With time flying by so quickly you might like to start your Christmas planning now – hopefully, the more organised you are the calmer you’ll be during the festive season.  It’s so important to be able to enjoy good times with your family and friends, but so difficult when there’s so much to do in the run up to the big day.

In my experience, a bit of forward thinking makes a big difference to a peaceful and relaxing Christmas.  As well as reducing mess and stress with one of our Christmas oilcloth tablecloths, try these tips this year, I hope they work for you too!

Write lists

Lists for Christmas food, lists for gifts you want to buy/make, lists of people you want to send a Christmas card to – make a list today of all the things you want to organise in time for Christmas.  Don’t forget to enlist members of your family and add their tasks to the lists. The simple act of writing a to do list can remove much of the pre-Christmas stress.  It also feels good when you can tick off a batch of items!

Book your shopping slot asap

Ordering your Christmas food online means you can avoid the supermarkets at one of the busiest times of year.  Many supermarkets give regular online shoppers preferential treatment when it comes to reserving a delivery slot in the run-up to Christmas, so check your emails regularly so you don’t miss out!  If you don’t have this facility, keep an eye on your supermarket’s website so that you get to book the most convenient delivery slot when they come available. 

Put the fun back into gift shopping

Online shopping is all well and good but a trip to the shops at Christmas-time can be a real treat.  You’ll no doubt be aware that gift shopping can be difficult when you don’t know what you want to buy.  Make life easier for yourself by deciding what gifts you are going to get BEFORE you get to the shops.  You can even reserve your item for collection, so you don’t run the risk of it not being in stock when you get there.  Being organised in this way hopefully means you can slow down and enjoy the shopping experience, stopping to listen to carol singers and to gaze at the Christmas lights instead of racing around from shop to shop like a headless chicken.

Update your calendar

Either keep your calendar up-to-date or create a family calendar for the festive period.  This can be used to remind you of Christmas occasions – Christingle services, drinks parties and other social gatherings – and deadlines you have set yourself for the tasks on your to do list.

Think of ways to make life simpler

So many of us tend to take on too much at Christmas, leaving us frazzled and unable to fully enjoy what should be one of the most fun times of year.  There are lots of ways you can simplify Christmas:

  • Don’t take it too seriously – lighten up and keep perspective.  If you can’t get the perfect gift delivered in time, remember, it’s not that big a deal!


  • If you stress about Christmas dinner, enlist the support of people who are good at cooking and who will help you keep everything under control.  Most people are only too glad to help.  The same usually goes for last minute shopping/cleaning etc!


  • If you’re hosting Christmas dinner or entertaining, use a Wipe Easy PVC or oilcloth tablecloth, at least there will be less washing to do.  We have some fabulous Christmas tablecloth designs now in stock to make your table look fabulous during the festive season. 


SHOP CHRISTMAS TABLECLOTHS

I hope these tips help you prepare for a fabulous Christmas!