Christmas is less than two months away. While that thought will fill some of you with panic and bring you out in cold sweats ("Only two months?? Do I have enough snowflake tree decorations?"), it will probably cause most of you to get quite grumpy, as you don't want to think about the C-word until December 1st, at the earliest. 

Home and Garden on Female First

Home and Garden on Female First

But preparing for Christmas early can be fun: rather than making you desensitised to the fun of Christmas because you think about it too early, it allows you to get all the boring bits out of the way, and be able to truly focus on what makes the holiday special.

How to plan ahead for Christmas

Today (8 weeks before)

Make a list of who you need to buy presents for, and what you want to buy them. If you can't think of ideas for people, ask them what they want now - giving them a heads up so early in advance will allow them time to think about what they really want.

Write a budget for how much all the presents are going to cost, and if you're going to be spending a small fortune on a lot of people, you can stagger when to get the gifts, so it doesn't all fall on your December pay packets.

7 weeks before

Start buying as many of your gifts as you can afford. The brand-new wrapping paper Christmas Collection, from Martha Stewart Home Office™ with Avery™ is available from Staples on November 5th, and with prices starting from 79p, you can get all the gift bags and wrapping paper you need. Nothing beats the feeling of satisfaction you'll get when you have Christmas presents wrapped and ready for giving, weeks before they need to be.

6 weeks before

Write your Christmas card list. If you're the kind of person who sends out tons of Christmas cards, to everyone you know, you'll know this needs planning early in advance. Divide everyone up into family, friends, work colleagues, etc. to make sure you don't forget anyone. Buy all the cards you'll need, and write them out, so you've got plenty of time to find out everyone's addresses.

5 weeks before

Speaking of work colleagues, now's also the time to book the days off you want for Christmas. Depending on where you work, you may have to do this even earlier, as it can be difficult to organise with everyone when they want to be off. Keep in mind you may not get exactly what you want, everyone will have to compromise.

4 weeks before

It's nearly December! Time to get your Advent Calendar. Decide if you want the usual chocolate one or, if you're trying to be good in preparation for Christmas Day, it doesn't mean you have to miss out. You can get plenty of fun Advent Calendars without chocolate or, if you want something truly original, make your own, with a different little gift for every day.

You should also plan what decorations you'll need for your home. Check through the ones you already have, and see if you need any more.

If you don't want to have to buy new ones, you can make your own. Hanging decorations and paper chains are easy to do - and what better to make them from than the Martha Stewart wrapping paper? Obviously the first lady of interior designing has made gorgeous papers that look great in your home!

3 weeks before

Send out all your Christmas cards. Getting them out early means that you don't have to worry about them getting there in time - and it also serves as a helpful reminder to everyone else to send out their cards!

2 weeks before

Put up all your Christmas decorations, and buy your tree. Don't put them up any earlier than about two weeks before, otherwise you'll get sick of them. If you absolutely must have your decorations up early, make sure they're unobtrusive and elegant.

Give out all your gifts! If there's people you won't be seeing on the day, or closer to Christmas, give them their present nice and early. That way, you won't have to worry about getting it to them on Christmas Eve.

1 week to go!

Final preparations - buy all the food you can keep/store in your fridge or cupboards as early as you can. If Christmas dinner is at yours, try and cook a few dishes the day before.

Though Christmas can be a stressful time, it's important (if cliched) to remember its true meaning, and not get caught up with trying to plan too much. Make time for your family and for yourself. Finally, remember to have fun!

Emily Bancroft

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