By Laura Rancie.
You wake up and suddenly we’re double digits into December. Depending on where you live the shops may already have late-night shopping or you may still be waiting a few days for that to kick in, in your part of the country. Regardless, here we lay out the last 10 days of Christmas and what to do for a seamless, stress-free countdown assuming you are starting from scratch.
We’ve got you covered in this easy step-by-step guide so you feel that sense of accomplishment each night as you cross things off your list and gear up towards a stress-free Christmas Eve and Day.
TEN DAYS OUT:
Today is actually the biggest prep day! It's all about a getting organised and making lists kind of day. To start, let’s write down all the things you’ll need to do that are personal just for you and divvy them out across the 10 days listed here. You know, the type of things I won't know about, but that are important and unique to you. That's step 1.
Now that you’ve made it personal, we’ll just add some of the more common elements that you may not have thought of yet, or that we just have to do and/or love doing this time of year.
- Look up what day Christmas actually is. It’s Monday this year, meaning Christmas Eve is a Sunday.
- Write down a list of who you will be buying for this year.
- Then add who you will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with and what food expectations are required of you (ie, desserts, mains, sides etc…)
- If you are hosting, write a list of who’s coming. Start with what food you know you can realistically make and then delegate individuals from the above list to bring the rest.
- Search out your cupboards and storage and take out last year's decorations, ready to put up tomorrow. We assume your Christmas Tree is already up, if not, PUT IT UP now!
NINE DAYS OUT:
- Hang and display all the decorations that you brought out yesterday. Do you need any more? We like to take our kids shopping somewhere festive each year to buy a new ornament each for our tree. Then it’s fun reminiscing where we were the previous year and looking at that ornament, while putting up the new ones.
- Decorations can be as simple as including a Christmas wreath on your door, fresh flowers on your dining table and new candles around the lounge. We always have a decorative advent out on display plus a French nativity scene.
EIGHT DAYS OUT:
- Time to go Christmas present shopping. Get that list you wrote on day 10 and stick to it! In and out of the shops.
- While you’re there, duck into the supermarket and stock up on all your pantry essentials for Christmas. Tins, cans, custards, cheeses, dried goods, gravy mixes. All these will last more than 10 days and you’ll be grateful not to shop for these next week. Don’t forget disposable tableware, if you want these.
- You’ll also need wrapping paper and tape!
SEVEN DAYS OUT:
- After all yesterday’s excitement and shopping, you’ll love today’s task. Find your nearest Christmas lights display in the neighbourhood and go for a leisurely evening stroll with the family, then come home and watch a Christmas film.
SIX DAYS OUT:
- Write up how Christmas Eve and Day will go and who does what. This will be more important if you’re hosting. Think of the last-minute things like – who will lay out the bonbons, what serviettes will you use, do you have enough glasses, chairs, do you need to borrow a trestle table and are all the decorations out? Ask for help!
FIVE DAYS OUT:
- Make a note on your phone of where you’ve hidden presents.
- Clean out your fridge. Nothing better than stocking up on goodies with a clean sparkling fridge as the base.
FOUR DAYS OUT:
- Take the day off and go on a day trip somewhere! Enjoy Summer in Australia and spending time with friends. Have a BBQ or picnic and come home to a lazy afternoon movie or swim in the pool.
THREE DAYS OUT:
- Big house clean, clean sofa covers, cushions, outdoor kitchens.
- Spend the afternoon swimming
TWO DAYS OUT:
- This will be Saturday, so it’s time to hit up the local farmers market this morning and buy all your fresh produce, veggies and fruits, seafood and meats.
- Prep any foods you need for the next few days like marinades, sauces, chopping, doughs etc…
THE DAY BEFORE (It’s Christmas Eve!):
- Last minute house tidy.
- Check you have all the wrapping you need for Santa tonight.
- Triple check you have batteries for any new additions.
- Set the table ready for breakfast/lunch (you’ll love waking up on Christmas morning with a beautiful table).
- Prep any last-minute foods like sponges or overnight soaking.
- Pick up anything you’ve ordered from the butcher or fishmonger.
CHRISTMAS DAY:
- Enjoy! By today you already know who’s doing what, you spent yesterday setting the table and the house has been cleaned. All your Christmas food prep is ready and your fridge is clean and loaded with fresh produce. Go get dressed, enjoy the day and make note of what things make you happy today!
