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Organise My Christmas!

“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!”

Making a list, or several, is the only way to relieve some of the stresses of Christmas and the shopping and planning that go with it. Invest some time now, and get the information out of your head and onto a piece of paper. The most important list is the ‘list of people you need to buy presents for and what to buy’. Include everybody on this list, whether they’re getting a grand present or a small thank you gift. Then as you think of present ideas, write them next to that person’s name. If there are items you can buy now, go straight out and buy some and start ticking them off the list. Obviously keep this list out of the sight of snooping children. Perhaps hide it in the dirty clothes basket, they won’t look there (for that matter your husband won’t find it either).

If you think of what a person does for a living or pass time, this might give you some clues of where to start. Movie and concert tickets, extreme adventure vouchers or magazine subscriptions are great alternatives. Magazine subscriptions are great as they receive a little present every month and there are magazines suitable for teens to the grey nomads! Another great idea is 2 organising products: my.organiser which will sort out your family and paper work and my.mini.organiser is the travelling organiser for your hand bag and at under $10, it’s the perfect ‘thank you’ present.

To help you with the rest of your lists, we’ve put together a few points to consider from now until the big day. In your shopping madness, spare a thought for the many charities out there that require gifts under trees or help in distributing food hampers and if you haven’t got the time, why not order your Christmas cards now on-line from a worthy charity.

In closing, I might put a new nightie on my wish list, as I’ve just remembered another line of that song…he sees you when you’re sleeping. Which is not all bad, because at least he would’ve delivered my presents before passing out!

Merry Christmas and Happy Organising!

Tricia & Sally Ann

www.agoodsort.com

þ Organise my Christmas

November

þ Book December Hairdressing appointment now

þ Write 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