Do you have any special traditions with your family over the Christmas period? Although this month is crazy-busy with the end-of-year wind-down, shopping, parties and all of the added stress of Christmas, we really do try to focus on the fun part too. Especially now that we have kids. Here are some of the Christmas activities that we are turning into our new, much-loved traditions. I'd love to hear about yours too!
How are you going with your Christmas shopping? Well underway, planning to hit the shops soon, or have no ideas and dreading the very thought? One of the most important steps in the whole present-buying process is having a plan of attack before you start, especially when you're buying gifts for kids.
As we get to the tail-end of the year, you may find that your spending is on the rise with Christmas fast approaching. Purchasing gifts, attending end-of-year events, hosting parties, buying decorations, taking a plate to get-togethers, school fees for the end of the year, plus the everyday bills, can all really start to add up. So, where is it possible to save money? For us, it's definitely in the food department. Here are my top 21 ways to save money on food, especially at this time of the year.
It's time to get yourself organised for Christmas! Now is the time to start making lists (and checking them twice), and preparing what you can early so you'll be on top of everything over the next busy month. Last year, I made sure I was super-organised with my Christmas binder and lists, and was totally patting myself on the back throughout December!
December is inevitably one of the busiest months of the year, so it pays to be organised. Which is why I've made The Organised You Christmas Planner! Grab yourself a simple display book or refillable binder, print off the relevant sheets that best suit your needs (or all of them), and start filling in those lists! You'll be high-fiving yourself come Christmas Day.
Have you started preparing for Christmas yet? The thought of it being only 6 weeks away may be filling you with a combination of excitement and dread - I know it does for me! There is always so much to organise around this time of year. Shopping, cleaning, cooking, coming up with present ideas... but also lots of fun stuff! I have found that since having kids, I actually enjoy Christmas so much more, even if it is busier. Last year, I shared my Christmas series of preparing early (read part 1, part 2 and part 3 here) with a few ideas. Today it's all about getting the Advent Calendar prepared nice and early with some fantastic activity ideas.
