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Decorating → Seasonal

Housekeeping: Countdown to Christmas – 9 Ways to Get Ahead in November

Cut down on stress in the busy month of December by doing a little festive prep now

Ruth Garner 14 November 2014

I'm a freelance writer and lifestyle blogger, currently living in Brighton.

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Is it too early to mention Christmas? If you secretly (or even openly!) like to get ahead of the festive season, it pays to begin preparing now. While I’m sure you’ll want to be enjoying the end of autumn in all its glory, sorting out a few elements that combine to make a magical Christmas now is worthwhile and can save untold stress come December. Here are a few things to consider.

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Check dates with family and friends
Confirming logistics, even now, can reduce any last-minute December panics. Will you be celebrating at home, visiting family or travelling abroad? Make sure everyone you want to see is free and booked in. If you’ll be travelling in December, consider booking your tickets now as it will likely save you money. Also make sure days off work are applied for and confirmed.

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Collate addresses
By gathering addresses of your friends and family, you’ll avoid frantic emails and texts as you try to beat the last posting date. To be even more organised, try building a simple spreadsheet of names and addresses.

If you prefer to keep things more traditional, stash addresses on cards or in a book and keep it handy, ready for card writing. Using this will make the Christmas card mail-out more fun than frantic.

Browse cards and buy stamps
It’s definitely not too early to start choosing the perfect Christmas cards and buying stamps. When you come to sit down at your desk for a big hot-chocolate-fuelled session of card writing, you want everything to be ready to go!

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Buy gifts as you see them
I used to think my mum was a little odd for gathering Christmas gifts throughout the year, then stashing them in secret places (from under the stairs to under beds) around the house. I see now that not only does it mean you have less to do in December, it also spreads the cost, avoiding that hideous bank balance dip.

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Wrap as you go
If you’re even more organised, you could wrap and label as you go to save yourself from that inevitable Christmas Eve marathon of Sellotape and scissors.

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Stock up on important pantry items
In much the same way as stocking up on gifts earlier in the year spreads the effort and the cost, so it’s worth gathering pantry items. Stock up on the non-perishable basics and avoid the Christmas rush.

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Shop around early
If you like to indulge in a little champagne or spirits on – and around – Christmas Day, take advantage of supermarket offers as and when they come up throughout the coming months. Just beware, though – if you store goodies in plain sight, they may disappear before Christmas!

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Make sure everything is clean
This is a slightly less fun and festive job, but important nonetheless: make sure bigger household tasks are done in advance. Does your freezer need defrosting? How clean is your oven? Is your spare bed linen ready to go? Chip away at these jobs now and you’ll leave more time for hanging Christmas decorations and going to parties.

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Sit back and enjoy the sense of achievement
If the major stuff is done, then it’s just a case of maintaining your weekly cleaning schedule and, hopefully, putting your feet up!

TELL US…
Do you like to get ahead for Christmas? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.

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soozmacrae

Oh dear Ive done nearly all those things above. Yes, it is a good idea to hide goodies as I have already munched some chocolates! There is always a last minute rush at the supermarket but I do like to know that its all done and it certainly is less painful on the bank balance. More money for the sales!

3 Likes 16 November 2014 at 3:40pm

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ducissa

Order your turkey, goose, etc. from your local butcher or poulterer - and we should support local shops to ensure we always have other choices than supermarkets, whatever we're buying!

5 Likes 16 November 2014 at 5:44pm

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soozmacrae

Yes ducissa, I agree. Shop local for these kind of products. They are usually better quality and as you said support local businesses.

3 Likes 16 November 2014 at 11:01pm