Planning now can make for fabulous festivities

With just four weeks to go, Christmas really is just around the corner. However, there is no need to start panicking about your Christmas preparations, as the experts at Your Best Ever Christmas Magazine have come up with this great planner, so you can relax with a glass of something bubbly.

While sipping, consider your Christmas decor. Any thoughts about your Christmas colour theme? Do last year’s sparkly lights still work? Do you need new decorations? Where’s the tree going to go?

A choice of tree

A natural Christmas tree fills the room with beautiful fragrances but can cover surfaces with pine needles.

Modern artificial trees look incredibly realistic and can even come readydecorated.

If you opt for natural, order your tree now – check the height of your ceiling (and the size of tree you can fit in your car) and, for ease, request a tree that’s already in a pot.

Turkey time

While you’re in ordering mode, order your Christmas turkey and/or ham, either at your local butcher’s, the supermarket or online. Before requesting the weight of your turkey, take into account how many people will be eating it and how big your oven is.

If you’re planning to order your main Christmas food shop online, book your online delivery slot. If you have a store or loyalty card, you might be entitled to priority booking.

Next, buy any non-perishable or frozen items from your Christmas Dinner ingredients list.

Gifts of life

Monday and Tuesday mornings are often quiet, even at this time of year and you might get a few bargains if you shop around.

Look out for stocking fillers, small gifts for people you’ll visit over the festive period (you can never go wrong with candles or luxurious hand creams) and any Secret Santa presents you need to give.

Wrap as you buy and you shouldn’t spend Christmas Eve fighting with wrapping paper.

Cards and tables

Every morning, write and post another 10 of your Christmas cards until they’re all on their way – and don’t forget to post gifts to those family and friends you won’t see at Christmas. And remember to make your pre-Christmas hair and beauty appointments.

Design your Christmas dinner table, whether on paper or in your head.

However, whether your table decor is colour coordinated or mix-and-match, ensure you have enough seats, plates, glasses and cutlery for your guests.

And remember napkins, a tablecloth and that Christmas necessity – crackers.

Last Dates For Posting

Second class: Tuesday December 20; First class: Wednesday December 21; special delivery: Thursday December 22: special delivery Saturday guaranteed: Friday, December 23. Airmail: Africa/ Middle East, tomorrow; Far East/Eastern Europe, December 7; Australia/New Zealand, December 10; rest of Europe, December 14-17.

Making a detailed plan of what you need to do this Christmas can save you from unnecessary stress and hassle.