“Take the stress out of Christmas by making a list and checking it twice, don’t worry about who’s been naughty or nice, because Santa Claus comes to town anyway!”     þ  Organise my Christmas October þ  Book December Hairdressing appointment now    þ  List people you need to buy presents/gifts for    þ  Begin writing down present/gift ideas in my.organiser  þ  Purchase Christmas cards or buy on-line from a charity  þ  Book venues for Christmas parties or Christmas day    November þ  Order ham and turkey  þ  Continue writing down present/gift ideas in my.organiser    þ  Write out your Christmas card list in my.organiser    þ  Organise any magazine 'gift' subscriptions now  þ  Begin writing out cards - start with international friends   þ  Christmas Decorations – do you need new ones?    þ  Christmas Lights – check bulbs and get ready to hang    þ  Cook Christmas Cake & Pudding    þ  Post international Christmas cards   þ  Buy Advent calendars for children   December – 3 weeks before þ  Post Christmas cards    þ  Put up Christmas tree & decorate house    þ  Plan food and drink shopping list    þ  Buy wrapping paper, gift tags, sticky tape, bon bons    December – 2 weeks before þ  Wrap presents - check you have something for everyone    þ  Make a list of batteries required for toys on Christmas day and buy them now   þ  Make a final 'present' shopping list and go shopping    þ  Clean your fridge and oven     December – 1 week before þ  Buy drinks and perishable foods    þ  Write out a 'time plan' for Christmas lunch, to avoid panic on the day. (The easiest way to write a time plan is to work backwards from the time you want to put the food on the table).    þ  Make sure you include on your time plan – when to start defrosting turkeys etc. and when to buy your bread for stuffing etc. allowing time to let it dry out    þ  Freshen up your pot plants if needed    þ  Donate a gift or your time to charity    December – 2 days before þ  Buy some flowers    þ  Wrap remaining presents, check gift list again just in case    þ  Buy final perishable foods - don't forget your $15 punnet of strawberries!    þ  Check cameras and videos for tape/film or batteries charged    þ  Double check you have the required batteries, cords etc for new toys and gadgets     December – 1 day before  þ  Prepare any salads etc. the day before    þ  Set and decorate table if possible    Christmas Day  þ  Get up really early þ  Watch your kids unwrap in 2 seconds what’s taken you months to organise þ  Console kids, who within minutes, have broken something þ  Prepare for the arrival of family who will stay all day þ  Thank your mother-in-law for the ‘lovely’ present þ  Eat and drink yourself silly     Cheers!