4. Present Planning

For those people trying to save money at Christmas time, it really does pay to start looking for presents well ahead of the Christmas season. Shops do tend to raise prices, and the gift you had in mind could be harder to find as people start shopping in earnest. Now, this can be a little tricky if your kids are constantly changing their minds about what they love and what they want but you can get excellent deals on toys, books, arts and crafts and other items for them that they will love now…or in a few months’ time.

5. Plan Your December

Having a clear to do list is a perfect way to stay organised during what is often a hectic month. The kind of to-do list that you have depends on your personal style. Some people have various to-do lists based on different activities, for example a cooking to-do list and a present one. Others choose to do it by week to break up their tasks and keep them on top. If you aren’t sure what to include, or you’re worrying about forgetting something, remember to add:

Buying and posting your Christmas cards
Confirming all travel arrangements for relatives
Making a list (and check it twice!) of all Christmas gifts
Buying (if needed) and putting up Christmas decorations
Planning Christmas meal requirements, and shopping
Possibly cooking and freezing some meals in advance to make it easier
Purchasing a few small gifts, such as cookies or chocolates, for unexpected visitors who come bearing gifts

6. Organise Your Family

Christmas is often filled with social engagements for the entire family. Make sure everyone is involved in the planning and is well aware of the various Christmas parties and events during the holiday. This will ensure that no one is caught off guard with a party, and that you won’t need to fight to get people to attend when they have made other plans.

Family organisation is also great if you’re worried about the burden that Christmas may have on you. Remember, you don’t have to take on everything by yourself. By allocating jobs to family members, you can take a break every now and then. You might not be in control of everything, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work out for the best. For example, let your partner be involved in putting up the lights, and rope kids into the Christmas decorations on the tree. Make sure they know that if they help set it up, they also need to help pack it up! In this way, you can have more balance in your holidays.