Traditionally Christmas is the season to be merry but as busy mums with a million and one things to organise and remember to ensure the big day is a success, it can quickly become the season of being stressed.  However, “Fear ye not! ” as our 12 point Christmas checklist should help with the festive planning and hopefully get you in the Christmas spirt and ease any seasonal stress.

1. Order the turkey.  This will only take a phone call and any other food shopping can wait till nearer the day.  This is especially important if you need either a very large or small turkey as these sizes may go quickly.
2. Make a list of all the food you will need and plan menus for when you are expecting visitors.  Spread buying any non-perishable foods over the next couple of weeks with your usual food shopping and cross them off the list as you go.
3. If you are planning to send cards and presents overseas, check out this Royal Mail website to find out last posting dates.  However, if you’ve already missed the last posting date (Australia’s has already gone,  USA last posting date is 11 December) why not send an e-card or just a normal email with a festive touch.  
4. Keep an eye on your Christmas spending and make sure it doesn’t get out of control by logging costs in the Christmas planning pages of your Life Book.
5. Trailing endlessly round the shops looking for inspiration can take all the fun out of Christmas shopping.  Use the ‘presents’ section of your Life Book to write down ideas and write a shopping list grouped by the shops which are most likely to stock them.  Plan your trip so that you buy the heaviest items last and then you won’t have to lug them around the shops.
6. Alternatively, if the idea of spending a day at the shops gives you as much joy as soggy sprouts, why not log on and make the most of the internet.  Lots of sites offer free delivery for orders over a certain amount (including Organised Mum!).  It’s also a great way to shop, if you’re a stay-at-home mum and always have the little ones in tow.
7. When buying your children’s stocking fillers, make sure you buy at least one gift that doesn’t need assembling and that they can do without supervision.  The last thing you’ll feel like doing after cooking Christmas dinner is assembling Barbie’s kitchen or working out how to put a light saber together.
8. Don’t forget that the last posting date to send within the UK is 21st December.
9. Get the timing wrong and buying last minute fresh produce can be a bit of bun fight.  So if you’ve got a 24 hr supermarket nearby, make the most of it.  Most people don’t want to shop at unsociable hours, but if you can get someone to look after your children and you want to avoid the cramped aisles and supermarket queues, it can be the way to go. 
10. With carol services, the office party and family obligations, it can become all too easy to overbook yourself and the family.  Rushing around from one social engagement to another isn’t fun, so don’t be afraid to say no and politely refuse.
11. Put aside an hour on Christmas Eve and rope in as many family members as you can to prepare, peel and chop as much of the veg as you can. 
12. And finally don’t forget that Christmas is meant to be a holiday for everyone, so once the hard work is done pour yourself a tipple of your choice, open the Quality Street and brace yourself for that early morning start!