For all the fun and festivities that Christmas brings, it also requires some serious organisation skills, budgeting and more than a little juggling! We know just how easy it is to forget things along the way (teacher presents and working fairy lights?!) so we created this free 8-week planner so you can have a stress-free Christmas and enjoy time together as a family.

Read our weekly tips here, don’t forget to bookmark and you can also download our free printable version if you want too!

• Make a list of all gifts needed/people to buy for
• Set your overall budget for gifts, then allocate an amount per person.
• If you plan on making a visit to see Santa, it is a good idea to book your spot now.

Top Tip: Keep an eye out for upcoming festive events in your area and book tickets as needed.

• Start buying gifts now to help spread the cost. If the kids haven’t settled on their list yet, start with adults and some ‘safe bets’.
• Keep an eye out for pre-Christmas offers and discounts to maximise your budget.
• This is a great time to buy generic Secret Santa gifts, vouchers, etc.

Top Tip: plan for a few extra “just in case” gifts that inevitably will be needed!

• Plan your Christmas Menu and make your shopping lists. Divide your list into non-perishables you can start to buy now, and perishables that need to be bought nearer the time.
• If making it yourself, get the ingredients for your Christmas cake & pudding and make those now. (You might like to try this chocolate Christmas cake for a change!)

Top Tip: Place any Christmas Food online orders early to make sure you get the pick up time you want.

• Get the kids to write their Christmas lists and letters to Santa. (Take a photo of the Santa letters so you will have all the details!)
• Buy or make your own home-made advent calendar.
• Plan out your Elf on the Shelf antics and download lots of fun EOTS ideas here
• Get festive outfits/Christmas jumpers for the family.

Top Tip: Don’t forget new PJs for the kids for Christmas Eve! What about making a Christmas Eve Box?

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• Decorate the tree and house.
• Hang a Christmas wreath.
• Buy your Christmas cards and stamps and check postage dates for sending to loved ones.

Top Tip: Don’t forget to make time for some family fun! We love these Christmas movies or you could try your hand at some festive baking.

• Stock up on drinks, mixers and any party food for the freezer.
• Buy any non-perishable items, biscuits, selection boxes, etc.
• Buy your wrapping paper, gift tags, bags and Sellotape.
• Don’t forget napkins, Christmas crackers for the table, etc.

Top Tip: Buy plenty of tin foil – you’ll be amazed how much you will use over the holidays!

• Set aside some time to clear out or organise the fridge and freezer.
• Get any make-ahead elements of your Christmas dinner done and pop into the freezer.
• Wrap as many gifts as possible and hide them away. Don’t forget to add name tags after each gift is wrapped, to avoid any mix ups!

Top Tip: Check you have plenty of batteries in the house for those new toys, and buy them now if not.

• Make a final To-Do and final shopping list.
• Buy the final perishables.
• Collect your turkey or ham.
• Wrap final gifts.

Top Tip: Use a notes app on your phone to keep a checklist so you always have it with you.

• Remember to charge new electronics e.g. phones, tablets, etc. and make sure toys work before the big day!
• Wrap and organise gifts for the morning.
• Time to fill the stockings. Make sure no peeping eyes are about!
• Pour a big glass of wine or eggnog and sit back and relax!

Final Tip: Don’t forget the treat for Santa and the carrot for Rudolph!