Are you hoping for an organised Christmas this year? From hosting friends and family to festive decorating dilemmas, keeping on top of everything that comes with the Yuletide season can be alarming. But by planning and tackling small festive tasks daily, you can take the stress out of the holidays.
Click or scroll through and check out these Christmas countdown ideas that will prepare your home for the holiday period as efficiently as the most organised Christmas elf...
Online Christmas shopping has been a popular method for consumers for many years now, and seeing as buying gifts for family and friends is probably our biggest expenditure over the Christmas period 'Xmas e-tailing' can be a practical method when selecting Christmas presents.
Online marketplace emporiums like Amazon offer practical tools for Christmas shopping organisation such as wish lists that keep all your gift ideas in one place categorised by type. Gift lists can be shared with simple links to avoid duplicates and price tracking and online voucher codes will give Christmas bargain hunters satisfaction.
Ensure your indoor Christmas plants are in bloom during the holiday season by planting bulbs such as amaryllis and hyacinths in late September.
Poinsettia is a favourite Christmas plant thanks to its bright red leaves. These can be bought from shops and garden centres usually from the beginning of November and planted out in the garden after Christmas. Or, for foliage that is completely different this festive citrus tree will make a statement and look idyllic growing next to fragrant dried orange decorations.
Mini citrus tree available from Bloom & Wild.
Advent marks the official beginning of Christmas and starts four Sundays before Christmas Day. Make sure you get your advent calendar in good time. To be extra eco-friendly, you can buy or make a wooden or fabric version that can be filled each year with all sorts of treats, not just chocolate.
Why not make it super personal by getting creative and building your own DIY advent calendar out of 24 matchboxes and painted balsa wood? Or, number and fill little festive coloured bags and peg them onto a ribbon to make a advent garland that can be hung on wall or shelf.
Canvas tree advent calendar available from Hobbycraft.
Knowing how to DIY your way through the holidays is one of Grandma's Christmas tips that will save you time and money, so use your downtime to take a festive craft class. Start looking in October for wreath-making, bauble decorating and gift-making courses to name a few.
Well-known brands have digital platforms offering workshops online or in person, visit Hobbycraft and Johnlewis.co.uk to view and book their craft experiences. Or, check out ticketing platforms like Eventbrite and ClassBento to find independent craft classes held in person or as virtual workshops, some even send the seasonal supplies you need before the class begins.
Flowers to fill your Christmas craft projects available from Bloom & Wild.
Nothing marks the beginning of Christmas more than hanging a festive door wreath on the front door. Show off your craft workshop by displaying your DIY wreath or purchase a ready-made version and personalise it with unique embellishments such as pine cones, ribbons or berries.
Choose a wreath that picks out the colour of your front door and decorate it with other front door ornaments to tie in a look.
Front door hardware available from Yester Home.
Welcome guests with a festive front door that looks like it belongs on a Christmas card. Start by giving it a good wash down or even a new coat of paint.
For a wreath alternative go for something more unique like a giant bauble sway, add garlands and decorated mini firs or topiary and place colourful outdoor Christmas lights at different levels for ambience.
Outdoor Christmas decorations and lights available from Dobbies.
Although tradition observes Christmas trees (and other seasonal decor) should be put up at the beginning of Advent (the fourth Sunday before Christmas), homes seem to be being dressed up for the holidays earlier and earlier.
To keep on top of your Christmas decorating draw up a decorating schedule. List where and what you want to be decorated (including outside), on what date and who will be in charge of doing it. Rope the kids in by making it one of their (albeit rather fun) chores. Turn Christmas decorating into family events by holding a light reveal and hot chocolate night, or a tree decorating and singing afternoon with fun Christmas music.
Nostalgic decorations and lights available from Lights4fun.co.uk.
Whether it's Christmas bedding and festive PJs or cosy living room cushions and mugs for warming drinks by the fire, holiday homeware and accessories of every kind are all in high demand these days.
So, don't spoil your Christmas Instagram feed by waiting until themed comforts are sold out. Go shopping or get your online orders in early.
Christmas themed cushion available from Dunelm.
Give your Christmas decorations box an MOT in October or early November. Decide what needs replenishing, mending or updating. If you need to refresh your seasonal look, you can be sure new trends will have hit the shops by now.
Throw out any broken baubles and drop off what you've grown tired of to local charity shops in good time for their Christmas rush.
Festive Folktales ornaments available from B&M.
After checking your Christmas baubles, it's time to troubleshoot the holiday lights inside and out. Unravel the strings and plug them into a socket to make sure there are no blown bulbs or frazzled fuses and your Christmas lights will shine through another season.
Do the same with outdoor figures. You don't want your enchanting display to leave you in the dark come the big day.
Outdoor Christmas lights available from Festive Lights.
Children make up a huge part of Christmas and often have a lot of activities to attend – and be a part of – at this time of year.
Make sure you schedule time for them all and mark those endless school nativities, Pantomimes and Santa visits and pop them on your calendar as soon as they crop up. Why not start new family and festive traditions to make the holidays unforgettable just for you?
Christmas movie night box available from Matalan.
Secret Santa is an ultra-fun gifting game that can be played by family, friends and even colleagues. Each group member is allocated a recipient at random by either picking a name out of a hat or being allocated a recipient by a website. Hence the name, the giver is to remain a secret until gifts are given and received.
Secret Santa makes a great gifting alternative if you are on a budget or can be used as a fun table game before or after Christmas dinner is served.
Tableware available from Habitat.
Elf on the Shelf has a busy schedule during December, so be sure you have ideas to keep him busy every day!
Get thinking in November and write a list of each location that pesky elf will turn up in, so you don't have to think it up on the spot later on. Online inspiration platforms such as Pinterest have lots of ideas and printables to help organise Elf on the Shelf activities.
Elf and Christmas china available from Dobbies.
Looking to serve Christmas dinner to large numbers this year? Ensure your guests are sat comfortably by arranging a table seating plan early.
Why not add to the arrangement by learning how to fold napkins in seasonal shapes, adding small festive favours to each plate? Lastly don't forget the all-important name tag.
Tableware and linen available from Dunelm.
Ordering your Christmas food shop online can offer so many benefits such as saving saving time and money. But, so many of us have now caught on it's vital to get your food shop order slot booked way before the big day.
Some supermarkets open their booking pages as early as September while others offer exclusive spaces to loyal customers.
Dinner and tableware available from Dunelm.
If you're planning a traditional Christmas dinner with a delicious turkey and all the trimmings, be sure to order yours in good time. You can purchase a fresh turkey from a store or local butcher and keep it refrigerated for a few days before Christmas.
But, to guarantee a bird that is at its best, order beforehand for delivery or collections. As with main Christmas shop deliveries, online bookings usually open around mid-November so put a reminder in your diary.
Christmas puddings are traditionally made on 'Stir-up Sunday', which is the Sunday before the start of Advent. Do a check-through of your baking equipment and order supplies including ingredients and utensils and cake stands or boards in October.
Due to its rich fruit sponge, a Christmas cake can be made and stored up to three months before Christmas. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson advises wrapping it tightly in a double layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment. Follow with a double layer of foil and then store it in an airtight container or tin in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Icing can be added between 24 hours and a week before the big day.
Christmas pudding and condiments available from LillyPuds.
If a brand new sofa is top of your list to Santa this year make sure he doesn't disappoint by putting your order in by mid-November at the very latest.
Some stores will have a wait time of several months on large furniture items. Check individual retailers as each will have its own Christmas delivery deadline.
Corner sofa available from Furniture And Choice.
Don't let the delicious Christmas aromas such as gingerbread, pine needles, eucalyptus, oranges and cloves be overtaken by a whiffy pet.
These days a dog groomer's schedule can get booked up quicker than the even hottest celebrity stylist. Book your pooch's Christmas clean and clip at least a month in advance to avoid disappointment.
Dog toys available from Dobbies.
As Christmas card writing is becoming a dying art, it seems even more special these days and a lovely way to reach out to friends and family who live further afield. If you get behind don't panic, most mail websites will have dates for catching the last Christmas post and it's normally well into the second week of December for domestic deliveries.
Why not make an effort with just a few handmade cards sent to just a select few in plenty of time? If you're stumped for ideas you can order Christmas card kits that give you step-by-step instructions and all the materials you need. If glue and glitter aren't really your thing, why not save paper and go digital with an e-card or send out a Christmas family e-newsletter? There are lots of free templates out there, or a simple photo of the family and well wishes will always raise a smile.
Christmas cards available from Victoria Eggs.
As Santa is busy filling his sleigh with all those toys for the big drop why not make room in the children's bedrooms and playrooms? That way the big man can get through the door without having to run an obstacle course over the Lego and through all the stuffed animals. The benefit is that you may discover things you forgot they had to avoid doubling up.
Children often find it hard to let go of belongings, so be gentle but firm. Encourage them to think of donating outgrown toys to others who are less fortunate at Christmas; it's a great life lesson and can be fun if you end a trip to the charity shop with a hot chocolate.
Oak chest of drawers and Christmas plush toys available at Dunelm.
Having a thorough sort-out and clean BEFORE you begin your Christmas decorating will set a precedent for a well-organised Christmas from start to finish. Begin at the end of November by deep cleaning your main rooms from top to bottom, then assess each room to see if any furniture needs to be moved or stored away.
Think about where you will put your tree (or trees, plural!) and what you need to hang decorations in different parts of the home. Now is really the last chance to order any furniture for delivery too, so if you need a bigger sofa or a guest bed measure the space carefully and plan how you will rearrange seating and tables for hosting more people than usual.
Make sure the oven is clean and working well for the Christmas feast; the last thing you need is a broken cooker on Christmas Day.
Dedicate a whole afternoon to keep up the good work and deep clean the whole kitchen. Declutter work surfaces, to make sure there's plenty of room for food prep. Could the smoothie maker be put away until the January health kick begins?
Induction range cooker available from Everhot.
Pay attention to the kitchen as it will be at the heart of Christmas feast-making. Clear out food cupboards and stores to make room for festive goodies and donate to a local food bank.
Do an audit of your store cupboard essentials and add them to a list for the big grocery shop, not forgetting cleaning supplies and extra rubbish bags. Pay attention to use-by dates on spices, which lose their potency over time, and that you have things like stock cubes, pepper for the grinder and oils.
Pre-loved repainted larder unit available from Rehome.co.uk.
With Christmas guests coming and going, your bathroom needs to be in a good state for Christmas. Survey the room for leaks and any needed paint or grout touch-ups.
Make room for new stocking fillers by clearing out old and almost empty toiletries. Then, deep clean until it sparkles like a winter wonderland. To finish swap out the usual towels for fun festive versions.
Christmas bathroom accessories available from Matalan.
Ready the guest room for Christmas visitors. Treat your guests to freshly laundered festive bedding and give the room a small spritz of seasonal scent.
Make it even more special by adding a small Christmas tree and stocking at the foot of the bed. Garlands on the headboard, cute ornaments or fragrant candles on the bedside table will also create a home-from-home festive feel. Why not even pop a welcome mint in a little Christmas box on the pillow?
Christmas bedlinen available from Dunelm.
Whether you go faux or real, the Christmas tree really is the star of the show. But if you're someone who loves to enjoy a real tree for as long as possible a Nordmann fir is a good option, as it has good needle retention.
When buying a pre-cut tree, it's important to check its freshness. Drop the tree onto its base from one foot above the ground. Needles on a healthy tree shouldn't fall off. Once you get your tree home, trim an inch off the trunk and place it in a stand or pot. Make sure you keep the water topped up daily and site away from heat sources!
Shop for Christmas wrapping materials in good time. A good trick is to shop for Christmas wrapping in the January sales as the prices are slashed to almost pennies. Then store it away until the festive season begins. Or, be an eco queen by carefully unwrapping gifts in order to reuse the paper next year.
For total coordination, stick to a colour scheme that suits your decorations. Don't leave wrapping until the last minute either – try to wrap a couple of gifts each day in the run-up to Christmas.
Sofa, chair and rug available from Loaf.
Nothing creates a cosy and traditional Christmas vibe quite like ambient candlelight at Christmastime.
Whether you opt for the real thing or prefer faux versions, make sure you have a good go-to supply in all shapes and delicious seasonal fragrances to last the whole holiday period.
Candles available from Meri Meri.
As well as food, drinks are a key part of entertaining and enjoying Christmas. Make sure your refreshment cupboard is brimming with the usual festive flavours of the season and check your glassware and mugs for chips or cracks.
Give them all a wash ahead of time so they're gleaming and ready to go.
Christmas mugs available from B&M.
Plan the Christmas entertainment in advance for a fun-filled holiday. For inspiration, look online or ask friends what their favourite games are. To keep costs down, request that family members bring their favourite board games with them when they visit.
Go online to download Christmas bingo card printables and Christmas quizzes, wrap up a festive-themed 'pass the parcel' and make ice-breaker question cards for the Christmas table.
Guess Who? Dinosaur Edition Board Game, available from The Natural History Museum.
Spend weekend afternoons in the run-up to Christmas baking mince pies and seasonal cookies. Make separate batches for decorating, gifting and of course eating.
Keep festive cookie cutters and chocolate moulds stored with the decorations. That way it becomes part of the yearly Christmas countdown ritual.
Christmas linen available from Sophie Allport.
Give Christmas Eve boxes designed to kick-start festivities. If you have kids, you might gain a few precious minutes to finish your Christmas prep while they play with their goodies or enjoy a hot chocolate in their new Christmas mug.
It can be as simple as a wrapped shoebox or a more elaborate version that's personalised. Collect items early on and squirrel them away until Christmas Eve. Pyjamas, luxury hot chocolate and marshmallows, gingerbread men, and something to give Santa's reindeer are all good ideas.
Christmas Eve box available from Dobbies.
Plan for Christmas dinner guests early. Confirm numbers, ask your guests about food allergies and dietary preferences, and pick out a menu as soon as you can. Practice the dishes in advance if you feel nervous!
Set up the table beforehand to ensure each guest will have enough elbow room. Then, if you can, save time by setting the table for the main event, the day (or night) before Christmas Day.
Table mesh stars available from Sparkle Lighting.
With so much to organise for the big day, it's no wonder Christmas may come with a festive dose of stress. So, before you set work on any of our Christmas organising countdown ideas, our best piece of advice is to invest in a Christmas planner.
A dedicated journal will help keep all your schedules and ideas in one place so no gift is forgotten and no decoration is left behind. Plus finances can be kept under control, every activity attended, and the delicious dinner served on time. And, breathe – may your Yuletide be merry and a breeze.
Personalised Christmas planner available from Martha Brook.