Fabulous LBDs for Christmas
ONLY a third of us plan for Christmas early, buying decorations food and gifts ahead of December.
And one in 10 leave everything to the last minute – which is not only super stressful, but it can cost you more in the long run.
So why not avoid the panic with these simple things you can do NOW to get ahead for later?
Buy anything with a long shelf life now – stock cubes, coffee, chocolates, biscuits for cheese. It spreads the cost and will give you less to think about nearer the time. Store in a plastic-lidded box to stop cluttering cupboards (or early raids on the Quality Street).
Book your festive travel. Ikano Bank’s Simon Ripton says: “Research shows you can save up to 10% by booking early – and if you want to save even more money, coaches can be much cheaper than trains.”
Avoid the garden centre stampede for your Christmas tree this year – buy a potted tree now and bring it inside closer to the big day. Keep it well watered.
A well-organised 12% of us buy all our gifts by the start of November. While you may not be that prepared, try to have it all done by the end of the first week of December to cut your stress dramatically. Make a list of everyone you buy for along with gift ideas. Every time you go shopping, tick a couple more off the list.
Get Christmas cards now and put them in a bag with your address book, pens and second class stamps. Every time you watch TV, write a few. In a week you’ll be sorted.
Sick of the clutter of Christmas? Holly Andrews of finance company KIS, says: “Have a clear-out of the kids’ toys and other things you no longer need and sell them on eBay. It gives you more room to store all their new toys after Christmas, and you can use the money to help with Christmas shopping.” As you buy toys, take them out of the packaging and install batteries. It saves hours with screwdrivers on Christmas Day.
Set up a ‘wrapping station’. Every time you buy a gift, wrap and label it so you don’t have to waste a whole evening during an already busy December.
Amanda McCall, director at Gifts International, advises: “If you do gift shopping online, go for the same nominated-day delivery on everything so you only need to stay in once.”
If you move furniture around for the tree or a bigger table, vacuum under it now to save time when you’re rearranging. If expecting guests over the holidays, now’s the time to air mattresses.
Next time you have chicken, use the carcass for stock and then make your gravy. Freeze it so all you need to do on the day is defrost it and add the turkey juices. See Jamie Oliver’s Get Ahead Gravy recipe online.
For perfect fuss-free roast potatoes and parsnips, do the hard work now says Orlando Murrin, food writer and founder of BBC Good Food. “Par boil them until just soft, drain, leave to dry a little then scuff the surfaces with a fork to encourage a crunchy finish. Toss them in flour and seasoning then freeze in bags. Roast from frozen.”
You can also make and freeze bread sauce, cranberry sauce and brandy butter.
If you have Christmas pud haters among your guests, make a getahead pavlova. “Meringue can be frozen for a month,” says Orlando. Top with whipped cream and fruit at the last minute.
Braxted Park Cookery School suggests making stuffing now, cooking and freezing in an ovenproof dish.
Decide what you want to wear to the office party, on Christmas Day etc now to save panic later on. Take a snap of yourself on your mobile to remind you what outfit you’ve chosen for each event. Get your Christmas lights out to check they’re still working.
A slow PC can be frustrating when trying to order items quickly or bidding on eBay. Do a clean-up now to avoid problems, say computer specialists Crucial.
Make lists – things you need to do a day or so before Christmas, cooking timings (what time to put the turkey in/pudding on to boil).
Book your supermarket delivery slot and start your order so you can keep adding to it over the next few weeks as you think of things you need. The more organised you are the calmer you’ll feel.