Countdown to Christmas: how to divvy up the jobs to avoid festive overwhelm

There are now 32 days until Christmas, or four Fridays. Yes, I’m as horrified as you. I even downloaded a countdown app that also ticks off the hours, minutes and seconds. So I really have no excuse for not knowing exactly how long is left until Christmas Day.

Every year, no matter how ‘on it’ I think I am, there are times during the run-up when I inevitably get caught out by something. You're probably the same. However, this year you have it covered, thanks to this infallible countdown-to-Christmas planner.

I've listed all the jobs that your household might need to do in the run-up to Christmas, and a timeline of the optimum time to get them done. Bookmark this page to return to in the next few weeks, share it with partners and offspring, to get the satisfaction of ticking off the list rather than the stress of a last-minute panic.

This weekend

Book your supermarket delivery slot

Supermarkets have opened their delivery times and click-and-collect slots for Christmas week already. Add a few bottles of fizz to secure the slot if you need to, then go back and edit it nearer the time, when you know exactly what you need. Make sure you’re on it swiftly, as they’ll get booked up soon.

Enjoy stir-up Sunday

This Victorian tradition – when the Christmas pudding is made on the last Sunday before Advent – falls on Sunday 24 November 2024. Each member of the family gives it a stir and makes a wish. Make your Christmas cake and homemade mincemeat now too, to give flavours time to mature.

Order advent calendars

It’s up to you whether you pop a chocolate one in your trolley during the weekly shop or get more imaginative with the massive range available, from the best beauty advent calendars to gin and tea.

Or you can make your own. My daughter showed me a TikTok reel where someone made a book advent calendar – 24 numbered titles, beautifully wrapped and boxed. I’m hoping that’s what’s winging its way to me this year.

Book your travel

Visiting relatives? You can save, on average, a whopping 61% if you’re going by train by booking your tickets this far in advance, according to travel website thetrainline.com.

Tickets are released around 12 weeks before departure, so Christmas and New Year's fares are already on sale.

Next week

Do a freezer audit

What’s lurking in those frosty depths? Can you use it for Christmas or eat it before the festivities to make room for your frozen fare? How about fish fingers and Viennetta for tonight’s dinner?

Sign up as a volunteer

Helping at a food bank, preparing Christmas dinner for the homeless or answering helpline calls are great ways to give something back to your community. Let a charity know now if you can help over Christmas when need may be the greatest, or make a donation to support their work.

Set a budget and start shopping

Don’t just pluck a figure out of the air: look at what you have to spend and work out what you need to buy so you can try to stick to it. Write a list of who you’re buying presents for and ideas, with a price limit, then estimate other costs, such as food, decorations and entertainment.

Start gift shopping now to spread time and cost, especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales offering discounts on lots of popular items. If you're in need of inspiration, our Christmas gifts for friends and Christmas gifts for couples guides are a great place to start.

Make a Christmas playlist

Perfect for getting the whole family involved, Spotify has a ‘collaborative playlist’ feature where you send a link to others. No need to feel restricted to Christmas tracks – last year’s most downloaded tune of the season was Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, which has no link to Christmas.

First week of December

Order your turkey

If you’re buying your Christmas turkey from somewhere other than a supermarket, such as a farm supplier, place your order now. Check our turkey size guide to figure out which size turkey you need, depending on how many people it needs to feed.

This is also a good time to buy your Christmas drinks and non-perishable foods, such as cupboard and freezer snacks and treats, as part of your weekly shop, to save you grappling with the masses later on. You should also have acres of space for frozen foods if you followed the earlier advice and have spent the last five weeks eating your way through the contents of your freezer.

Don’t forget to pop a couple of items into the food bank donation basket, if you can.

Order Christmas crackers

The last thing you want is to miss out on the fun of the best Christmas crackers on Christmas Day, and if you leave ordering these til the final Christmas shop, there's a chance they may have run out.

Wrap presents as you buy them

But keep a list, so you don’t forget what you’ve wrapped.

Even better, follow Susanna Reid's Christmas tips and start a Christmas notebook to keep track of what you've bought, how much wrapping paper you have left and any ideas for next year.

Write Christmas cards and messages

In the UK, the last recommended posting date for cards to reach friends and family within the UK is Wednesday 18 December 2024 for 2nd class, and Friday 20 December for 1st class. That's if you're sending by Royal Mail.

For other postal services, including couriers and international services, make sure you look up the relevant deadline and allow plenty of time.

Decorate!

Always a massive debate in our house about when, exactly, the Christmas tree and decorations go up. You’ll have your own thoughts and fights about this one, but allow plenty of time to get everything out of storage, choose your theme, mull over your Christmas decorating ideas… and to buy new tree lights when you discover yours no longer work, having spent five hours wrestling them around the tree.

If you'd like some inspiration, we have plenty on this site, from Christmas tree decorating ideas and How to make your Christmas tree look expensive to How to style your hallway for Christmas. Top tip: plug your lights in to check they work as soon as you unpack them.

Second week of December

Plan your final shop

This list will include most of the fresh fruit and veg, but some fresh foods, such as dairy and meat products, might have a later use-by date than you think. They can be bought a week before to save a bun fight at the supermarket on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th.

If you want to get your mouth watering with inspiration, check which items won the coveted woman&home Christmas Food Awards 2024, to ensure you're ordering the best Christmas food.

Offer up help

Does an elderly neighbour or relative need help with shopping or cooking, or fancy a trip to the panto? Your support or company can be invaluable to some around this time. Inviting them along to a family Christmas show or picking up extras on your shop needn’t be too taxing for you, but could mean the world to them.

Deep-clean the house

Not a task we all relish, but if your household starts early, it will be so much easier to keep on top of over the festive period. Read our guides to How to deep clean your house and How to clean like a professional for tips.

Prep for visitors

If you haven't already, plan where all your Christmas visitors will sleep. Borrow camp beds and inflatable mattresses if needed, and make sure you've got your Christmas essentials. And if you want to treat yourself, it's not too late to order some beautiful Christmas bedding or some Christmas candles to add ambiance to your hosting.

Third week of December

Do your Christmas baking

Get ahead with mince pies, a Yule log or gingerbread shapes for the tree. Forgotten something? Visit the supermarket in the days before Christmas, going early or late in the day to avoid the busiest times.

Last-minute mop up

Presents to buy or wrap? Chores that slipped the net? Now’s your chance to nail it. Write a rough timetable It doesn't have to be military-style, but working out timing will give you a loose structure.

Christmas Eve

Prep Christmas dinner

Peel the veg, prepare the stuffing and set the table. A few well-placed chores now will free up more time for fun tomorrow.

Final clean

A flick of a duster and a once-over with the vacuum is all you’ll need after your previous deep-clean. Then it’s out with the presents, a mince pie for Father Christmas, and whatever Christmas Eve rituals you and your family enjoy.

And don’t forget to pour yourself a G&T, kick back and enjoy the festivities. Told you, you had it covered.