After all that prep you need to give yourself a break, and be able to enjoy a disaster free Christmas Day – you deserve it! The day will go smoothly and you CAN avoid Christmas Day Disasters by using these 9 essentials tips. I hope they help!
When Christmas Day comes – you’ll no doubt be hoping for an easy day (as much as possible, of course!).
The last thing you’ll want is to have anything go wrong, and that’s where this post comes in…
I’ve put together my list of tips that should help ensure a disaster free Christmas Day. A day that runs as smoothly as possible – so you get to have a good time as well.
Yes, there’s still stuff to do – but a few things planned and sorted beforehand will really make all the difference.
Let’s get started…
TIP #1 – GET THE ESSENTIALS STOCKED UP
You really don’t want to get to Christmas Day only to realise that you’ve run out of matches / batteries / **INSERT ESSENTIAL ITEM** – do you?
Have a good think ahead of time what you are likely to need, and get it in the house. I would much rather have things I don’t need than not have them….
{ Worth a read: Absolute Essentials to make your Christmas stress-free }
TIP #2 – PUT TOYS TOGETHER…
How many times have your children asked for a toy/game/item that needs putting together – and how many times have you spent half of Christmas Day trying to put said item together….
If this is fun for you and the kids, then by all means save it for Christmas Day as a treat, but if you would rather spend time doing something else, you may want to look at putting things together before the big day.
This also makes sure that if you haven’t got a part, or are having trouble putting it together, no one is disappointed when Christmas rolls around…
TIP #3 – PREPARE FOOD IN ADVANCE
Whether this means spending some time baking and freezing ahead of time, cutting veg the day before, or buying pre prepared food – get as much done in advance as possible.
You will still have to cook the meal, but you will have created much less strain on the day, and more time to enjoy yourself as a result.
TIP #4 – PLAN THE DAY – A LITTLE!
Christmas Day can rush by, so having a plan will help you to slot everything in, and still have time to just relax.
You don’t want to be rushing to open presents because you’re late for relatives, or unable to sit and watch that family film you’ve promised the kids because it’s now too late, or have to miss going to church because you’ve got the time of the service wrong.
Plan it out a little, and you’ll actually be able to have MORE flexibility while still doing all that you want to do.
TIP #5 – GET A MEAL TIMELINE SORTED
Plan your Christmas dinner timeline in advance so it’s easy to follow on the day.
If you followed Tip #4 then you will know what you want to do on the day, and where you will be at any given time – so you will be more easily able to fit your food prep and cooking around these things.
For example – the turkey can be cooking while you are at church or with friends in the morning, and you can be home ready to do the rest of the food.
This would mean that you will know when you are eating – so you can plan the rest of the day as well…
(Need help with this? There’s a Christmas Dinner Timeline printable in the Christmas Planner – this helps me each and every year to keep things on track – you can find out more about the planner HERE, or by clicking the image below).
TIP #6 – GET RELAXED ON CHRISTMAS EVE
You will no doubt be running around on Christmas Eve doing last minute things, including shopping – maybe wrapping a few presents, and there will be all the traditions that you do on Christmas Eve as well.
It’s enough to stress anyone out!
But it’s important not to go to bed tired if you can help it – so spend even just 15 minutes relaxing so you are less wired before bed. This means you should wake up more refreshed and ready to go again!
{ Worth a read: What are your Christmas Traditions? }
TIP #7 – SPREAD THINGS OUT A BIT ON THE DAY
Most families will be really rushed on Christmas morning, because there will be food to prep, presents waiting to be opened, and possibly places to go and people to see.
As such, it makes sense to spread things out a little more.
Here are a few ideas that go against the norm,but can make all the difference (most of which I’ve done over the years and loved!): –
- Eat Christmas dinner in the evening
- Eat Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve
- Open presents in the evening on Christmas Day (it’s all about the expectation!)
- Don’t plan to go anywhere on Christmas Day
TIP #8 – HAVE FAMILY TIME
This is one of the days of the year that all the family can get together and have some fun – and for many families it may be a rare event (unfortunately).
As such, make the most of it and find a game or a film or something to do together (a walk maybe), and create some memories while having the chance to relax a little.
TIP #9 – DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Remember – even if everything goes wrong it’s still Christmas day and you WILL have a good time. Beans on toast for lunch and Christmas TV sounds pretty good actually! ;o)…
I hope these tips have helped you a little in thinking ahead for a disaster free Christmas Day – and you’re a little less stressed about it all!
And here are the Christmas Day Prep Tips in a quick list for you: –
- Get the essentials stocked up
- Put toys together before wrapping
- Prepare food in advance
- Plan the day – a little!
- Get a meal timeline sorted
- Get relaxed on Christmas Eve
- Spread things out a bit on the day
- Have family time
- Don’t sweat the small stuff
P.S If you liked these tips, then how about over 100 more? – grab my totally FREE eBook right now – just CLICK HERE to get your copy.