OF A SMUG XMAS!

I’M THE MOST ORGANISED OUT OF ALL MY FRIENDS — AND THEY’RE JEALOUS

CHRISSY DAVIES, 36, is a housewife and lives with her husband Ian, 42, an electrician, and their daughter Cassidy, four. She says: MY TREE is up, the presents are bought and wrapped and the Christmas food shop has already been ordered from the butcher and supermarket. I’m by far the most organised of my friends — and they’re jealous.

Planning starts with the January sales, when I start buying gifts, cards and wrapping paper. When September arrives, I step things up a gear to make sure I’ve finished all the shopping by the time the month is up. I never buy gifts online — I love looking around all the shops for the perfect gift, and really make an occasion of it.

I buy for around 20 people and keep a list of what I’ve got for whom, then dedicate a whole day to wrapping everything while listening to Christmas music.

My husband just rolls his eyes and lets me get on with it. But whatever he says I know he loves Christmas, too. Our 8ft artificial tree, which I bought half price for €80 last year, has been resplendent in front of the French doors in our living room for a week already.

Some people may think we’re mad to put it up so early, but I just want the magic to last for as long as possible for Cassidy.

She loved helping me decorate it and this year the theme is silver and white. I spent around €70 on new trimmings, picked up everywhere from garden centres to the supermarket.

Planning well ahead also helps me to keep Christmas to a budget. During the year I pick up luxuries such as chocolates, wine, champagne and liqueurs when they’re on offer and stash them away to spread the cost.

And I’ve only spent around €115 on a fresh food order for the big day. Because I’ve got such a huge family who we see at various points during the holiday, on Christmas Day itself Ian and I like to eat at home on our own with Cassidy so that she can immerse herself in the magic and gifts from Santa.

This year will be her best Christmas yet.