We've got Christmas wrapped

Too early to start preparing for Christmas in November? I have always thought so, but now I’m not so sure. Having been caught up in the mad stress-filled turmoil of Christmases past where I have almost worn my disorganisation as a badge of honour, this year is going to be very different.

No more frantically searching the shops for the last minute Santa wish list, no more fights over the last turkey in the supermarket fridges on Christmas Eve, and definitely no more 2 am wrapping of presents. I have spent hours trawling through past and present glossy house and home magazines for tips on getting Christmas wrapped early. The general consensus is that  November is not at all early to start shopping for Christmas gifts. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers in store and online particularly on electrical goods plus November sales it’s a great opportunity to get your shopping done. You can always start putting items into your basket inline in readiness for the launch of the sales.

Look at your Christmas budget for gifts and food shopping to make sure there is no major overspend. Sign up for the supermarkets’ discount cards which can offer really decent savings on own brand goods as well as points or money off promotions. Make sure all those Christmas dates are in your diary – I still have a hard copy diary as a fail safe – but set reminders on your phone or laptop just in case. If you have children, December is the month where it is so easy to double book with nativity plays, school fairs and parties dominating the diary. Nothing worse than arriving late in the middle of the school play only to have missed your darling’s one  minute  of fame !

Christmas delivery slots for supermarkets can be booked now. You may not know what you want on your Christmas grocery list just yet, but you can book a slot, put a few basics in your baskets, checkout and revisit nearer the time. It’s also a great time to clean out the fridge and check the store cupboard to make sure you have all the basics to hand so you’re not running to the shops  at the last minute for that liquid glucose you must have for Delia’s chocolate torte.

Christmas trees are either in the attic at this point in the year or still  being harvested. If you enjoy a real tree, you may want to pre-book a specific species or height from a nursery or grower. We seem to put our trees up earlier than ever  before - easy when you have an artificial tree but with a real tree, timing can be critical especially if it is displayed in a warm room in the house. Many of the trees today have been modified to prevent needle droop like the Nordman fir  but they can still get that post Christmas droop if you’re not careful. And while we’re on the subject, it’s worth getting out those baubles and Christmas lights now just to check that they are all intact and working. Goodness knows what they get up to in the attic each year but isn’t it a fact that the lights that worked when you put them to bed on January 6  are no longer twinkling 11 months later. Check the decs too and if they need replacing, there are already plenty of decorations in the shops right now so it might well be time to refresh the look. And while you’re at it, organise your table decorations and theme for this year. You can have so much fun with crafting for trees and tables if you just give yourself time.

If you have bought your gifts why not start wrapping early for once. Get stuck into a film, bring out the presents, paper, Sellotape and all the trimmings and enjoy the experience – it almost feels like therapy when you have the time to make a parcel look inviting and exciting ! And it will stop the children peeking to see if they can find those unwrapped presents you’ve hidden in the airing cupboard.

So there it is – Christmas wrapped up – enjoy !

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