The countdown has begun! Christmas is on its way and we are here to help all you little elves get ready for the big day.
Whether you're hosting a Christmas Day shindig, the buyer of gifts, the sender of cards, the planner of photos or all of the above and more, at Charlestown Square we’ve got your back. Here’s a handy checklist to make sure you’ll be ready (and relaxed!).
ENTERTAINING?
- Plan venue/time/guests
- Set a budget
- Plan menu and allocate responsibilities
- Order meat ahead of time (turkey/ham etc)
- Send Christmas invitations with details of what guests should bring
- Take stock of glassware and dishes
- Premake any dishes that can be frozen in advance
- Pre buy any non fresh items e.g. alcohol, napkins, nuts, nibbles
- Plan your own Christmas outfit, beauty appointments and some well deserved time to relax time
- Clean the house / get a cleaner a week before Christmas
- Plan a timeline for Christmas day - lunchtime, gift giving, activities etc.
- Set up your Christmas day music playlist
- Shop for fresh ingredients a few days before Christmas
- Set the table the day before Christmas and buy fresh flowers/stock up on ice
- Start cooking on Christmas Eve
- Don’t forget to charge phones / cameras etc.
- Enjoy the day!
BUYING GIFTS/CARDS?
- Update your Christmas Card list / addresses
- Make a master gift list
- Shop for cards, gifts, wrapping paper and ribbon
- Stock up on batteries you might need for toys
- Send gift ideas for kids to relatives/friends (if that’s your tradition!) including clothing/shoe sizes and helpful ideas
- Ask for gifts ideas for family/friends/other kids
- Make a list of gifts to be given in person vs posted so you have enough time
- Write on cards and address envelopes
- Wrap gifts
- Mail cards and gifts by the first week of December and place any others under your tree
KIDS TO ENTERTAIN?
- Plan holiday activities for kids and lock them in the diary
- Grab an Elf on the Shelf (if you are into it!)
- Teachers/friends to give gifts to? Plan some fun crafts/DIY things kids can make themselves, even if it’s just a card
- Doing Santa Photos? Book ahead so you can skip the queue
- Shop for Christmas photo / Christmas Day outfits for the kids
- Get kids to write letters to Santa / Christmas wish lists
- Make an activity of cleaning out old toys/clothes with kids, involving them in the decision of what to donate to charities
- Get kids to help write on cards and wrap gifts for teachers and give them out mid December
- Plan kiddy Christmas food they can help make and decorate for Christmas day. Gingerbread kits are fun for everyone!
- Take the kids for a drive to see the local Christmas lights
- There are brilliant Santa apps to keep kids behaving well. Download one and get Santa to occasionally ‘call’ the kids to check in
- Set up milk, cookies and carrots on Christmas Eve
- Put the gifts from Santa under the tree after the kids have gone to bed
- Post Christmas, get kids to help you make a Christmas Card book to save and cherish!
DECORATING?
- Plan your decorations - are you buying a live tree or using a faux tree?
- Set up an Advent Calendar at the end of November, ready for December 1
- Take stock of your decorations. Have you got: tree, lights, tinsel, tree skirt, Christmas stockings, nativity scene, Santa Stop Here signs, wreath, lawn figures, table decorations.
- Buy any batteries/cords you might need
- By the first week of December, start decorating! Put up your lights, decorate your tree and adorn your home however you please
- Sit back and admire your handywork!
We forgot one point… don’t forget to spoil yourself too!
See what's happening at Charlestown Square this Christmas.