Five weeks before Christmas

If you’re a fan of lists, you’ll like this week’s to-dos. With only five weeks to go until the big day, now’s the time to do the glamorous job of cupboard auditing.  Take stock of what you’ve got in the house so you know what you need to buy.

1. Buy your Christmas cards

It’s time to buy your Christmas cards. Look out for any special offers that are about to save you money.

** Here’s a great tip to help with the task of writing your Christmas cards. **

Take a batch out and about with you so you can write one or two in idle moments – waiting for a friend in a café, waiting for the kids to come out of school, during your lunch break, waiting for an appointment. You’ll find your messages end up being much more thoughtful when you do a few at a time rather than doing them all in one big batch.

2. Take stock of your decorations

No one wants to be disappointed by a blown tree light at Christmas. Dig out your decorations now and take a note of anything that’s a little old and could do with refreshing. Next time you’re out doing a shop, you’ll know exactly what you need to pick up. Why not try making your own decorations? You can get the kids involved too so they can create their own individual decorations. See here for some ideas

3. Check the contents of your kitchen cupboards

Now is a good time to take stock of all your crockery, glassware and cutlery, as well as saucepans and baking trays. Consider all the different dishes you’ll be serving on the day, what you’ll need to prepare and serve them.