The ultimate Christmas planner: part 3

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

First week of December

 

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 day-by-day 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.

 

Start planning

 

Make a to-do-list and write the dates into your diary or on your calendar. Review it daily and cross out anything that's been completed remembering to add anything new that's cropped up.
TIP: If you use Microsoft Outlook, enter key dates into the calendar and you'll be reminded daily with an electronic message

 

Gift shopping

 

There are only three Saturdays until Christmas Day so if you haven't already started gift shopping, get on with it!. For hundreds of great gift ideas for all the family, see our fantastic Christmas gift guide.

 

Open the advent calendar

 

You're unlikely to be allowed to forget if you have children but today's the day the advent calendars come out and the daily scrabble for the Christmas surprise begins.

 

Start cleaning

 

Get ready for guests by giving the house a good clean. Although the basic everyday cleaning tasks can be left until a few days before your guests arrive, you'll need a little longer to tackle the larger jobs such as sorting out the guest bedroom, cleaning the windows and degreasing the oven – YUK! Do it the green way this year - see our reviews of the best eco cleaning products on the market. And read our top 10 cleaning tips.
TIP: If you really haven't got the time and need some help, contact an agency - many will do a special-occasion single-clean service. 

 

Declutter your home

 

Don't leave it until the last minute, start to declutter and make space for all the lovely Christmas gifts that are on the way. See our top tips for making the most of your space, with great storage ideas for every room in the house.

 

 

Order your Christmas flowers and table decorations

 

If you're hosting the Christmas dinner and don't fancy decorating the table yourself, place your order with the florist in plenty of time. Choose an arrangement that will last and keep it in a cool room, or in the garage, so that it still looks good on the big day.

Or let our creative table dressing tips inspire you - read more here.

 

Write to Santa

 

So long as they still believe, while away an afternoon with the children writing letters to Father Christmas or, if they are too young, they can draw him a picture instead.
TIP: Order a personalised letter from Santa and help support the NSPCC. For a suggested donation of £5, a child will receive a personally-addressed letter confirming that Santa is on his way, illustrated on colourful paper, with an ‘express Rudolph Mail' post mark. To order visit nspcc.org.uk/santa or call 0854 839 9304.

 

 

Order your alcohol

 

Don't leave ordering your alcohol to the last minute if you're throwing a Christmas or New Year party.
TIP: Don't break your back – many wine warehouses offer free delivery. It's also worth asking about free glass and chiller-bin loans.

 

Order your tree online

 

If you're buying a tree online don't leave it to the last minute as many websites sell out. It's a good idea to buy it as early as possible and book a delivery date at a time to suit. Having a tree delivered isn't expensive and saves you the mess and dilemma of how to get it home.

If you have decided to have an artificial tree, see our favourite buys here.
TIP: For a nationwide delivery service visit www.pinesandneedles.com or call them on 0845 458 2788. They also offer a complete decoration service and if you live in London will also return and remove the tree for recyclin.

 

Order your turkey

 

Although frozen turkeys can be picked up with the usual weekly shopping, most supermarkets and butchers will take advance orders for fresh turkeys up to a month before Christmas.
TIP: Get your turkey delivered to your work address and you won't have to wait in. 

 

Plan your menu

 

If you're entertaining this Christmas now's the time to start planning your menus and drawing up your shopping list. Save yourself time later in the month by buying groceries and frozen food now. See all of our great Christmas recipes here.

Fancy going organic this year? See our recommendations for the top 10 organic food buys for Christmas.

For great plan-ahead advice, see our Christmas entertaining feature

 

Buy a poinsettia

 

Poinsettia plants are lovely gifts and make any room shout Christmas. If you buy them from now onwards they'll look good over Christmas and see you into the New Year too.

 

It's getting closer!

 

• Second week of December
• Final countdown: the week before Christmas

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