Sorry, but it's true.
If, like me, that figure makes you catch your breath while your heart races a little, panic sets in and you start mentally writing a list of the eleventy million things you need to do before D-day, then take a deep breath, and relax. I have a plan.
I have decided that this year, there will be no last minute panic, no festive themed meltdowns, and definitely no rage enducing pounding of the hight street in the middle of December.
Because actually, 50 sleeps is loads, so long as I take note now & don't let myself fall into the trap of thinking 'oh it's still ages away, no need to worry just yet.' (Also known as exactly what I did last year.)
Better still, technically, I've only got 5 jobs to do, look:
Job one = Presents. This year, my present shopping is going to be done by the end of November. Yes, really. This weekend's job, is to write a list of what we're getting for who, then there are three weekends to do 'real life' shopping - and I figure so long as anything I need to get online is ordered by around the 21st, it'll be here before December & completely iliminate the terror of 'what if it doesn't get here in time?!'. Oh I hate that game.
Job two = Food & Booze. My cunning plan here, is to book myself a supermarket home delivery slot for the Thursday before Christmas - you can usually 'reserve' a spot about 3 weeks in advance by just adding the minimum order value to your trolley (I reccommend doing so with appropriate quantities of wine and chocolate) - it won't be charged to your card until the day of delivery - then you just need to remember to edit said order before it's due to be delivered to make sure you get more than just a few bottles of Pinot.
Job three = Calendar. By which I mean a. get treats for the drawers in Dylan's advent calendar so he doesn't end up with a boring, ill fitting chocolate coin wedged into each one, and b. social calendar - weekends & daddy days off fill up quick this time of year, so I *must* keep track of putting events ONTO THE CALENDAR rather than relying on saved texts/emails/scraps of paper tucked in my diary. (also, also known as exactly what I did last year.)
Job four = Special Deliveries. I can't remember a Christmas where I haven't made at least one trip to the post office to stand in an all too long queue of grumbling people to pay a fortune for special delivery because I've left it too late to send cards & gifts to far off friends & relatives by regualr post. NOT THIS YEAR!! My plan, is that anything that needs to be posted, will be on it's way in the 1st week of December - better early than me making the papers after a self adhesive postage stamp related rage incident. Definitely.Job five = Be Merry. By which I mean, spend December feeling smug about my military style organisation skills and being able to enjoy just being Christmassy. Decorating the house, wrapping prezzies, baking Christmas cookies, doing Christmas crafts, going to see Santa, having friends round for mulled wine - all safe in the knowledge that everything else is taken care of.
That, friends, is The Plan. Now I just need to pull it off. Easy, right?
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