The ultimate Christmas planner: part 1

Your week-by-week guide to the most stress-free Christmas ever - print out and keep!

Part 1: early November

 

Take the headache out of Christmas this year with the ultimate Christmas countdown planner to download, print out and keep to hand. Organised as a week-by-week checklist of what to tackle when, it's packed full of helpful hints, inspiring ideas and an invaluable address book of contacts - your complete guide to a stress-free Christmas. Now you can start to enjoy the party too!

 

 

Download a countdown

 

There's nothing like a bit of pressure to focus the mind so download this simple piece of software and you'll know exactly how many days, hours, minutes and seconds until Christmas Day.

 

Draw up a budget

 

Although we all tend to get carried away at Christmas, it's a wise idea to draw up a budget for all your spending – and stick to it!

 

Ideas for presents

 

Some people like surprises while others don't. If you find coming up with inspiration for gifts difficult, why not invite close members of your family to draw up a list of five different things they'd like to receive? Even when asked for suggestions it can take some people ages to get back to you with ideas so ask them early to give yourself as much time as possible for shopping.
TIP: Our Christmas gift guide is packed full of ideas for all the family, from teens to toddlers and great-aunts to girlfriends - see all of our Christmas present ideas here.

 

Book a 'pet hotel'

 

Don't forget your pets if you're planning to be away from home. Kennels and catteries get very busy so you'll need to book well in advance and your pets will need to be fully vaccinated beforehand. In addition to the canine triple vaccination most kennels also recommend dogs are vaccinated for kennel cough.
TIP: Some kennels and catteries will not take a pet at Christmas if they have never stayed with them before.

 

Buy an advent calendar

 

Although the shops are full of them they sell out fast so buy yours now. Alternatively, make your own - follow our step-by-step project for a country style advent calendar you can use year after year.

 

Send out your New Year's Eve invites

 

Christmas is a busy time of year for everybody so send out your New Year's Eve party invites as early as possible.
TIP: Always include your email address to make it easy for your guests to RSVP.

 

Start the Christmas countdown

 

• Part 2: late November
• Part 3: first week of December
• Part 4: second week of December
• Part 5: final countdown: the week before Christmas

 

---

 

You might also like ...

 

Great ideas for Christmas - festive food, crafts, home decorating and more

All I want for Christmas - inspiring Christmas gift guide, with something for everyone

Tone up for Christmas - how to beat the bloat and look slim