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Welcome to The Big Chill – our step by step guide to a stress- free Christmas.

After my article back in November '07 about having a system for organising Christmas every year, we have been inundated with requests for info. So, by popular demand we are running a monthly checklist of things you can be doing during the year to prepare in advance so that when you get to next December, you can relax and enjoy the whole festive system without the hassle.

Before you ask, we will archive each month for you to look back on or catch up. Please make your own modifications or email me with extra tips that I can pass on.

Things to do in November

We are now on the home straight and having followed my plan over the last year, you will be looking forward to a wonderful Christmas.

November is the month to enjoy putting the finishing touches to all the plans you’ve been making.

Christmas Cards

Give yourself time, either each evening, or once a week to write your Christmas cards.

You may want to create a card station somewhere in the house where you can gather together everything you need. When you have finished for the evening you can leave your station as it is and return to it the next time. Make sure it is away from everything else, maybe in a quiet corner or a guest room where it won’t be disturbed.

Or you may want to sit and write your cards while watching TV, so keep everything in a box or basket that you can carry wherever you need it and put it away when you’re finished.

You may have decided to send fewer cards or no cards this year (that’s one less job to do).

We discovered a wonderful site a few years ago that we use to send e-cards. They are becoming more and more popular and help to save a few trees. If this is something you’re interested in, go and check them out. www.jacquilawson.com

Wrapping presents

Get yourself organised with a present wrapping station, everything in one place. Get out all of your bargain paper, bags, ribbon, tissue etc that you got in the January sales and enjoy wrapping your presents.

Take your time and a bit of care, the wrapping is as important as what is inside. It says you have taken your time and thought about the recipient. It says ‘I care’.

If presents are difficult shapes, don’t try to wrap them in paper. Instead, wrap them loosely in tissue paper and place in a gift bag. Alternately, lay some squares of tissue paper on top of a square of cellophane, place your gift in the middle of the tissue, gather all the corners up and tie with ribbon or raffia. Easy to do and the effect is stunning. This technique is particularly good for bottles.

When everything is wrapped, put it all back away in your present cupboard ready to give or put under the tree. Make sure you label all your presents.

Get yourself a little stock of ‘just in case’ presents for those unexpected visitors, neighbours or teachers you may have forgotten. Bottles of wine and boxes of chocolates are the best. Wrap them or put a bow on with a label “Merry Christmas from the (insert name) family”. Keep them in the larder or somewhere handy. Then just grab one when needed, they look festive and will save you time and embarrassment.

Calendar

Keep your calendar close this month and note things as you go. Check postal dates, organise when and where you will buy your Christmas tree (if you get a real one), decide when to visit Santa (be prepared to queue).

Double check all your social engagements and get out your outfits. Try everything on including accessories. That way you will know that everything fits and looks good. The day before the event, lay everything out, that way you will not be stressed and will not be rushing around trying to find everything.

Make yourself food shopping lists for the weekends running up to the big day. Decide what you need to stock up on and what you need to pick up nearer the time. Everything other than fresh can be bought and stored or frozen.

Looking forward to December

As you go through the month, ticking things off your list, it’s like a weight is being lifted. One less thing to worry about here, one less thing to do there.

You will be able to enjoy all the delights of the season as you won’t be worrying about all the things you still have to do. You will be able to take everything in your stride and enjoy what the whole of December has to offer.

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