Organised Christmas

With Christmas getting ever closer, the overwhelm of everything that needs to be done in time starts to creep in. I don’t know about you, but the huge expectations that Christmas brings can feel a little daunting. For me, the lead up to Christmas is the busiest time in both my home and work life, so organisation is key to helping me stay on track with it all. With that in mind, I have made a list of the top three things that I find help make life a little easier, which I am hoping you will find useful too.

Most of these organisation tips can be applied at any time of the year, but especially right now, as things start to feel a little frantic.

1) Meal planning

Probably THE most boring job EVER! However, stick with me on this. Not only does it save you time, it also saves you money. Stops you reaching for those takeaways at the end of a long day and uses up all the food in the fridge and freezer without it going to waste.

I meal plan once a week, using up whatever I have left in the fridge at the time. I print off recipes we enjoy as a family and utilise the slow cooker as much as possible. Because let’s face it, there is nothing worse than having to cook when you are feeling completely exhausted and half of it ending up in the bin. We’ve all been there (many times a week)!

Taming Twins (@tamingtwins) is currently my favourite account on Instagram for quick, easy family meals. If you are stuck in a meal planning rut I urge to head over there and check her out for some much needed inspiration.

2) Little & often
Now this applies to the housework, which I find is always the first thing to take a hit when things get busy. As washing overflows and clutter begins to pile up in every room, so do my stress levels.

For many years now I have followed The Organised Mum Method by Gemma Bray (@the_organised_mum). The method focuses on tackling the housework daily, in a short 30 minute burst to help you stay in control. She has lots of free printables, a website and even an app to help you follow along. Including her ‘Organised Christmas’ series, which breaks down everything that needs to get done in the lead up to Christmas into manageable chunks. She is currently in week 9 of this series, but do not panic! I assure you there is time to catch up, or just follow along from now to help you stay one step ahead.

3) Plan ahead
If the Christmas food shop fills you with the same dread as it does me, then now is the time to join a delivery saver plan with your favourite supermarket. Not only will this save you money if you usually order home deliveries, but will also give you a priority slot for Christmas.

As somebody on a delivery saver plan you will get early access to a Christmas slot, enabling you to get the food shop from the comfort of your own home and delivered to your doorstep in time for the big day. Just make sure you double check when slots are being released and set a reminder in your diary!

Also, talking about dates, don’t forget that with Royal Mail strikes ongoing over the Christmas period, there will be postal delays and many small businesses will be closing their books earlier than ever this year. To avoid missing out, try to order as early as you can, make a note of those all important cut off dates and get your little ones writing their Christmas lists as soon as possible!

And finally, just to say, Christmas is about spending time with our loved ones, being together and being present in the moment. Not cramming as many ‘magical’ experiences and traditions in as we can, whilst running ourselves into the ground in the process. If that’s your thing, and you have the capacity to do so, amazing – go for it. But, if it all starts to feel too much over these next couple of months, step away from your phone. Stop consuming the picture perfect version of other people’s lives and the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves thanks to social media.

Be kind to yourself. You do you and that’s all that matters!