thefamilyroom Christmas Plan

Well here it is the ANNUAL FAMILYROOM CHRISTMAS PLAN. This Calendar is designed to help you plan the weeks ahead allowing you to sneak into the festive season well prepared, relaxed and ready for fun with family and friends. Our hope is that all of us are able to de-stress the season simply by being a little more prepared this time round.

This is an 8 week plan however we are only 5 weeks away from Christmas so we decided, what the heck, let’s put the weeks that have already slipped by in. That way we can all check back and make sure we’ve covered those bases already. It's a little long but don't worry it's worth the read.

Make sure you take notice of our TIP for the week and our TO BUY grocery list ~ these are two extremely helpful bits you don’t want to miss.

Enough from us for now, sit back and enjoy the read (play some Christmas music while reading....get into the spirit:))

Week 1: Get Ready!

• Set a holiday budget for gifts/food and other expenses that everyone agrees on.
• Purchase Christmas Cards.
• Purchase your wrapping paper, ribbon and tape.
• Mark all end of year events on your calendar. e.g. School presentations, Christmas parties and work functions.
• Write your gift list – break it down to family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours.
• Send out invites to any functions you are hosting.
• Think about what your family can do for a charity this Christmas - get the kids involved.
• Purchase and send your overseas gifts (if necessary).

TIP : Keep an eye out for specials from now on as this will save time and money. e.g. batteries

Week 2: Making a Start!

• Write a holiday shopping food list – use our week-by-week guide and add your family favourites to the list.
• Clean up the back yard or basement and get it ready for the holidays
• Create a space in the house for gifts and wrap as you go (rather than doing it all on Christmas Eve).
• If you are hosting a Christmas event - prepare menu and make a list of things you will need. e.g. ingredients for Christmas cake, stuffing etc. (Check your pantry first, it will save doubling up on ingredients).
• Santa letters should be sent out about now if you want a reply. Check with your local postal service (remember to include a return address).

TIP: Get the kids involved in cleaning jobs, more hands make light work.
To buy this week: Candy Canes, Nuts, Crackers, Chips, Pretzels, 2 Bottles of soft drink, 2 Bottles of wine

Week 3: Gifts and Decorating!

• Consider your gift list and who you’re buying for. Check out ebay, online stores, local markets and other avenues for great gifts.
• Purchase more gifts. (If it works well for you, use a lay-by system.)
• Book baby sitters for December & New Years nights out now. A few weeks before Christmas and they'll be scarce.
• Book your carpet cleaning for post holiday clean up.
• Check Christmas lights and decorations – replace whatever needs replacing.
• Shop for non-perishable food items and store in a place that won't be raided by hungry teenagers before Dec 25th.
• Begin to declutter house for Christmas decorating and entertaining.

TIP: Online stores tend to get more expensive the closer you get to Christmas as people leave their shopping to the last minute.
To buy this week: Fruit cake and baking ingredients, Sparklers, Extra Sunscreen and Aeroguard (for the Aussies) extra mittens and hats for everyone else.

Week 4: Half way there!

• Continue to declutter your home, garden/basement in preparation for Christmas.
• Order and pay for your turkey, ham and or seafood.
• Purchase or make and wrap gifts for teachers.
• Send Christmas Cards out.
• Re-check your gift list and purchase more gifts if needed.
• Check your artificial tree or order your fresh tree.
• Bake your fruitcake & other goods that freeze well.
• Put up your decorations. Save the tree for next week!

TIP: Write letters (or get the kids to) while you still have a little time up your sleeve to include with your gifts. The gifts may not last a lifetime, but your words will.
To buy this week: Batteries for toys, Non-perishable items, Canned food items (sauces, salad dressing, mustard, etc.), Cooking Oils, 1 bottle of soft drink, 2 bottles of wine

Week 5: Time to decorate - it‘s feeling like Christmas!

• Play Christmas music from now until well after New Years
• Purchase more gifts.
• Set up artificial Christmas tree - make it a special time with family.
• Hang fairy lights and external decorations.
• Get your photo with Santa earlier rather than later (avoid the cues).
• Invite family and friends to school plays, etc.

TIP: Turn your Christmas tree decorating into a huge family event with great food and festive drinks. The kids will love it.
To buy this week: Shortbread, Biscuits, Panettone, Frozen Deserts, 4 Bottles of Soft Drink, Chocolate, extra coffee and creamer

Week 6: It’s all Under Control – Relax!

• Make sure cameras and videos are in working condition and batteries are charged.
• Send a Christmas email to overseas family & friends and provide an updated fun family photo.
• Purchase more gifts.
• Book in any hair/beauty appointments for the family.
• Clean the bbq.
• Put up your freshly cut Christmas tree and decorate. Make it a special time with family.

TIP: Make sure you have 'room' in your home for those dropping by over the next few weeks. Invest into some spare chairs, extra glasses and a couple of more little presents for your surprise visitors.
To buy this week: BBQ supplies (fill gas, matches, extra foil roasting trays) for the Aussies maybe and extra baking tray for others :), Foils and plastic wraps, Napkins, Plastic cups and plates for kids, Canned Juice x 2, 2 bottles of wine, Paper Towels

Week 7: Now it‘s feeling like Christmas!

• Purchase more gifts.
• Send cards for students and gifts for teachers to school.
• Bake Christmas biscuits with the kids and allow them to decorate and deliver to neighbours.
• Check that you have everything you need for your table settings.

TIP: Remember to replace the water for your fresh tree regularly.
To buy this week: Bon Bons, Tea Lights, Candles, Table Decorations, 2 bottles of Champagne, Garbage Bags

Week 8: Jingle!

• Purchase remaining gifts from your list - Christmas is just around the corner.
• Make time to sit down and enjoy some Christmas movies with the whole family.
• Take a Christmas Lights tour of the decorated homes either in your suburb or head into town.
• Finish wrapping your final few gifts.
• Go along to your local church or community Carols by Candlelight with your family.

TIP: Phone someone you haven't spoken to in a while, wish them Merry Christmas and remember it's not about you.
To buy this week: Fruit, Vegetables, Salads, Bread/Buns, Dairy Products (milk, cream, custard, Ice Cream, cheeses), Eggs, Bacon, Stuffing ingredients, Juice x 2, Pavlova/
Pumpkin Pie filling or your favorite desert, Dips

Christmas Eve – Merry Christmas – You Made It!

• Pick up Seafood.
• Cook your Turkey and whatever else can be made in advance.
• The only other thing you should be picking up today is bags of ice.
• Sit and relax by your Christmas tree with your family for a few hours listening to Christmas music and have a laugh. Make sure you get an early nights sleep. ENJOY!!!!

After Christmas:

Take advantage of the post Christmas sales and shop for cards, paper, decorations and other bargains that can be used for next year.

Take note of the things that were a success and change ideas that didn’t work.

Take down or recycle your Christmas tree.

Pack tree and ornaments away carefully and neatly. It will make things easier for next year.

Discuss with family, your plans for Christmas next year.
Email or send pictures of the day to loved ones and relatives that could not join you.