How do you do it – planning for birthdays, Christmas and other occasions?

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We’re just approaching the final bank holiday before the end of the year, and even though there’s still back to school and Halloween to come, some people are already well underway with their Christmas planning.

In our family we have the majority of birthdays between October and January, so I always like to get at least the initial ones out of the way before concentrating on anything Christmas oriented.  I would plan earlier, but no mention of Christmas is allowed before brother-in-law’s birthday at the start of November.  It does mean everything ends up really rushed, especially when you have lots of nephews and nieces to buy presents for, and you’re waiting on a list so you don’t buy the same as someone else…that happens way too much with the OH’s family.

I know lots of people hate talking about Christmas, but if you want to make it as pain free as possible (apart from opting out or going on holiday to somewhere hot), then planning has got to be essential.

Here’re my tips for Christmas planning and other occasions:

1, Start at Christmas for the next Christmas. 

Sounds mad, but if you record names, what they bought you, what you bought them at the time, you can keep hold of this for next year to avoid buying the same presents.

2, Use your list and divide into times

Work out people you can buy for now (usually adults) and later (usually children as their tastes are more likely to change during the year). 

3, Spread the cost throughout the year and make use of sales. 

If you check out specialist Christmas shops or websites, they often have sales or discounts outside peak season.  I’ve bought traditional advent calendars and Christmas countdown decorations outside the season during sales

4, Look for decoration ideas on websites and magazines

I love Pinterest to keep track of ideas.  You could get really over the top on organisation and have a folder of all your ideas and recipes

5, Practice your Christmas meals beforehand 

We have a big family meal at Easter and turkey is usually on the menu (although not with all the usual Christmas trimmings).   Why should you only have turkey at Christmas?

6, If you prefer technology to paper lists, create wish lists online 

They can be private or for public, so you can use for buying as well as receiving requirements.  There are also phone apps for buying gifts so you can keep track of ideas and whether you’ve bought and sent the gifts

7, Get the children involved 

Last year N and I made salt dough type decorations, and this year I’m planning to do more with him in the run up given he’ll be even more excited than he was last year.  I shall be getting lots of ideas from various online sources.  I do prefer to use two colours only, so he might have to have a little display in his own room.

8, Embrace the Christmas spirit

Ok, so maybe getting excited now is a bit over the top, but if you’re usually a ‘bah humbug’ type (like my OH), then I think getting involved nearer the event has got to be more interesting than not at all.

I like to try and find a new decoration for our tree every year, so will definitely be looking out for our next bauble.  After a troublesome search a few years ago, I did find a nativity scene which is still going strong, so that’s one thing I can bring out time and time again.

What’s your tip for planning for an occasion, and when do you start Christmas planning?

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by UK Christmas World.