I've worked in the bedroom this week, and made progress. There's still lots to do there, maybe I can do some more next week?
I've started selling tickets for Christmas parish lunch - 9 people signed up so far!
House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
-
Kittykatt
- Member
- Posts: 3720
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2025 5:10 pm
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
Last edited by Kittykatt on Sun Nov 09, 2025 1:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Kittykatt
- Member
- Posts: 3720
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2025 5:10 pm
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
Christmas Preparations:
Decluttering and deep cleaning:
Declutter hall
Deep clean hall
Declutter stairs (there shouldn’t be anything on there apart from the bowl with toys for Matilda!)
Deep clean stairs
Declutter sitting room
Deep clean sitting room
Declutter landing book case
Deep clean landing bookcase
Declutter bathroom
Deep clean bathroom
Declutter bedroom WIP
Deep clean bedroom WIP
Declutter spare room/ office
Deep clean spare room/ office
Declutter kitchen
Deep clean kitchen
Prune roses 25 done, 1 to do.
Christmas List!
( I’m going to need to make amendments and additions, but it’s a start.)
Christmas prep:
Find my Christmas book!
Gifts:
DH birthday (and card) and Christmas(and card) WIP
DH stocking WIP
DF E
Dnextdoorneighbour C
DH’s family: A, DH will sort: R, S, L&G, B, L2, R2 & D, J
Give tubs of chocolates to: vet, hairdresser, anyone else who has been really good to us this year to say “thank you” – Ocado order for this last year - see if they give good value again?) This year I have bought the Big Mix tins of chocolates from M&S for everyone
List gifts I still need to buy
DH is supposed to be buying for his family
Wrap gifts
Cards:
Do I need to buy more?
Update card list
Check addresses and get DH to print out address labels
Write cards - after the fuss last year, I've designed our card and had it printed (Snapfish!) All DH will have to do is stuff it I .the envelope along with the newsletter (no writing required!!!) And worst comes to worst, I'll be able to quickly.do them for him (I'm not telling him this, as I really do think he should send cards to his relatives, but I don't want the elderly ones especially to miss out. So...)
Are we doing a newsletter this year?
Food:
Ring butcher and order Christmas meat
Delivery on 1/10 as they are closing for good the end of this week. Fortunately it should all fit in the freezer!)
Veg and fruit - are we having a veg box? Ordered for 23/12
Christmas “goodies” – cheeses, biscuits for cheese,(Jacobs crackers from Waitrose )sweet biscuits,(M&S for tins of shortbread, Waitrose for chocolate biscuits)chocolate...
Baking:
Mince pies
Gingerbread men
Christmas cake
Glaze Christmas cake
Fudge?
Truffles?
Christmas grocery order – Waitrose (KEEP CHECKING
FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY SLOTS FROM MID SEPTEMBER and put the basics in my trolley.)Just need to add any seasonal items, and be careful not to get carried away! Remember fruit for fruit salad, also parsnips, carrots and sprouts (unless I decide on a veg box)
Am I having a Christmas veg box? Yes !
Decorations:
Tree
Wreath for front door
Lights round porch
Lights on kitchen windowsill
Wooden Nativity scene (this depends on whether Matilda tries to chew it!) Not this year, Matilda has started jumping up onto the china display cabinet where I usually put the Nativity set!!!!
Church organ musical box, gingerbread house tin and Christmas tree tin (on top shelf of sitting room bookcase?)
Christmas card holders over kitchen door
Hang Christmas count down ornament? (Or will this make my life too stressful?
)
Events:
Christmas shoebox for Moldova - check what suitable gifts I have already (I'm assuming our church is doing this again this year) I think we're doing something for the residents of the Y instead? I've signed up to do a shoebox (needs to be done and at church by 14/12)
2/12 Women’s group meditation - S and S are organising it.
4/12 Parish Christmas lunch. I'm organising this for the first time this year Booked for 04/12 at the back of the church. Need to book caterers soon? ( I'm keeping it really simple this year, so just a buffet). Caterers booked!
Find phone number for caterers (in the end I used their "Contact us" form, which was souch simpler)
Write everything down in a logical order :
Full address of the church, name and email address for the treasurer,Date: 4th December
Time, 11 am-12 pm (they have hourly slots)
Which menu I want to order with all the add-ons (simple buffet with bite sized cakes and fruit platter)
Order for 20 guests (Remember at least a couple need to be GF)
Explain that the treasurer has the "chequebook" for the church (she actually does everything online) and ask them to send the invoice there.
MD has suggested we make it a ticketed event, so liaise with D (parish administrator over design of tickets )
Ask D to print tickets and posters
Number tickets and keep a list of names!
Work out costs per head:
Also need tablecloths, crackers (DF PM has lots of Xmas napkins she will provide) fairy lights on font, paper chains? Chocolates on bowls on tables? MD has offered to make simple centre pieces for table
MD has also offered members of the social.committee to help set up /clear away
Remember we need a separate table for GF food
Tea and coffee from the urns, soft drinks? (No alcohol as we would need an Events Licence, and I'm not going down that route )
Bite sized mince pies?
How / when do we publicise it? Ask D to print poster advertising the event
Tickets and poster now printed!
Started selling tickets after church today
Carol service at church? Am I reading? ( does the catering committee want me to do the mulled wine?)
Christmas services: are we having a Bethlehem Mass at 9 pm on Christmas Eve again? (It was a lot more popular that midnight mass, especially now people are getting older!!!), will I be asked to read? Bethlehem Mass again this year
Date to visit DBIL and family? (Probably early January)
To be continued...
[/quote]
[/quote]
Decluttering and deep cleaning:
Declutter hall
Deep clean hall
Declutter stairs (there shouldn’t be anything on there apart from the bowl with toys for Matilda!)
Deep clean stairs
Declutter sitting room
Deep clean sitting room
Declutter landing book case
Deep clean landing bookcase
Declutter bathroom
Deep clean bathroom
Declutter bedroom WIP
Deep clean bedroom WIP
Declutter spare room/ office
Deep clean spare room/ office
Declutter kitchen
Deep clean kitchen
Prune roses 25 done, 1 to do.
Christmas List!
( I’m going to need to make amendments and additions, but it’s a start.
)Christmas prep:
Find my Christmas book!
Gifts:
DH birthday (and card
) and Christmas(and card) WIPDH stocking WIP
DF E
Dnextdoorneighbour C
DH’s family: A,
DH will sort: R, S, L&G, B, L2, R2 & D, JGive tubs of chocolates to: vet, hairdresser, anyone else who has been really good to us this year to say “thank you” – Ocado order for this last year - see if they give good value again?) This year I have bought the Big Mix tins of chocolates from M&S for everyone
List gifts I still need to buy
DH is supposed to be buying for his family
Wrap gifts
Cards:
Do I need to buy more?
Update card list
Check addresses and get DH to print out address labels
Write cards - after the fuss last year, I've designed our card and had it printed (Snapfish!) All DH will have to do is stuff it I .the envelope along with the newsletter (no writing required!!!) And worst comes to worst, I'll be able to quickly.do them for him (I'm not telling him this, as I really do think he should send cards to his relatives, but I don't want the elderly ones especially to miss out. So...)
Are we doing a newsletter this year?
Food:
Ring butcher and order Christmas meat
Delivery on 1/10 as they are closing for good the end of this week. Fortunately it should all fit in the freezer!)
Veg and fruit - are we having a veg box? Ordered for 23/12
Christmas “goodies” – cheeses, biscuits for cheese,(Jacobs crackers from Waitrose )
sweet biscuits,(M&S for tins of shortbread, Waitrose for chocolate biscuits)chocolate... Baking:
Mince pies
Gingerbread men
Christmas cake
Glaze Christmas cake
Fudge?
Truffles?
Christmas grocery order – Waitrose (KEEP CHECKING
FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY SLOTS FROM MID SEPTEMBER and put the basics in my trolley.)
Just need to add any seasonal items, and be careful not to get carried away! Remember fruit for fruit salad, also parsnips, carrots and sprouts (unless I decide on a veg box)Am I having a Christmas veg box? Yes !
Decorations:
Tree
Wreath for front door
Lights round porch
Lights on kitchen windowsill
Wooden Nativity scene (this depends on whether Matilda tries to chew it!) Not this year, Matilda has started jumping up onto the china display cabinet where I usually put the Nativity set!!!!
Church organ musical box, gingerbread house tin and Christmas tree tin (on top shelf of sitting room bookcase?)
Christmas card holders over kitchen door
Hang Christmas count down ornament? (Or will this make my life too stressful?
)Events:
Christmas shoebox for Moldova - check what suitable gifts I have already (I'm assuming our church is doing this again this year) I think we're doing something for the residents of the Y instead? I've signed up to do a shoebox (needs to be done and at church by 14/12)
2/12 Women’s group meditation - S and S are organising it.
4/12 Parish Christmas lunch. I'm organising this for the first time this year Booked for 04/12 at the back of the church. Need to book caterers soon? ( I'm keeping it really simple this year, so just a buffet). Caterers booked!
Find phone number for caterers (in the end I used their "Contact us" form, which was souch simpler)
Write everything down in a logical order :
Full address of the church, name and email address for the treasurer,
Date: 4th DecemberTime, 11 am-12 pm (they have hourly slots)
Which menu I want to order with all the add-ons (simple buffet with bite sized cakes and fruit platter)
Order for 20 guests (Remember at least a couple need to be GF)
Explain that the treasurer has the "chequebook" for the church (she actually does everything online) and ask them to send the invoice there.
MD has suggested we make it a ticketed event, so liaise with D (parish administrator over design of tickets )
Ask D to print tickets
and postersNumber tickets and keep a list of names!
Work out costs per head:
Also need tablecloths, crackers (DF PM has lots of Xmas napkins she will provide) fairy lights on font, paper chains? Chocolates on bowls on tables? MD has offered to make simple centre pieces for table
MD has also offered members of the social.committee to help set up /clear away
Remember we need a separate table for GF food
Tea and coffee from the urns, soft drinks? (No alcohol as we would need an Events Licence, and I'm not going down that route )
Bite sized mince pies?
How / when do we publicise it? Ask D to print poster advertising the event
Tickets and poster now printed!
Started selling tickets after church today
Carol service at church? Am I reading? ( does the catering committee want me to do the mulled wine?)
Christmas services: are we having a Bethlehem Mass at 9 pm on Christmas Eve again? (It was a lot more popular that midnight mass, especially now people are getting older!!!), will I be asked to read? Bethlehem Mass again this year
Date to visit DBIL and family? (Probably early January)
To be continued...
[/quote]
[/quote]
-
trissie
- Member
- Posts: 1449
- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:03 am
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
House & Holidays Plan Week 12: Dining Space Week
https://organizedhome.com/christmas/hou ... space-week
This Week's Focus: Dining Space
On Thanksgiving, we gather family and friends to express our gratitude for the many blessings of this life, and the heart of the celebration lies around the dining room table. This week, we'll prepare the dining room or dining area to host the feast.
Final preparations for Thanksgiving include mapping out a strategy for Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping. If we're giving a holiday party, now's the time to start planning.
This Week's Household Checklist
- Dive into the dining area. With next week's feast taking center stage, prepare a worthy dining area for your holiday celebration. Declutter and deep-clean the dining room or dining area this week.
- Get set for the Thanksgiving feast. Once the dining room is clean and free from clutter, prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Polish fine furniture, tidy any storage areas, and if needed, add extra leaves to the dining room table. Set the stage for a lovely holiday meal!
This Week's Holiday Prep Checklist
- Firm up plans for Thanksgiving Day. Plan table settings, seating and a centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day. Check the menu plan, and start thinking about a timeline for meal preparation.
- Finalize the Thanksgiving menu. Check in with family members, delegate dishes, and be ready to celebrate.
- Start a Black Friday Sales game plan. Online bargain sites and e-mail alerts allow Web-savvy shoppers to spot the best deals days before Black Friday. Make entries in your holiday sales planner and plan next week's shopping strategy as information comes to light.
- Plan holiday parties. If you'll entertain next month, make plans now. You'll be prepared to issue invitations and check calendars with family and friends during next week's Thanksgiving celebration.
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
https://organizedhome.com/christmas/hou ... space-week
This Week's Focus: Dining Space
On Thanksgiving, we gather family and friends to express our gratitude for the many blessings of this life, and the heart of the celebration lies around the dining room table. This week, we'll prepare the dining room or dining area to host the feast.
Final preparations for Thanksgiving include mapping out a strategy for Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping. If we're giving a holiday party, now's the time to start planning.
This Week's Household Checklist
- Dive into the dining area. With next week's feast taking center stage, prepare a worthy dining area for your holiday celebration. Declutter and deep-clean the dining room or dining area this week.
- Get set for the Thanksgiving feast. Once the dining room is clean and free from clutter, prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Polish fine furniture, tidy any storage areas, and if needed, add extra leaves to the dining room table. Set the stage for a lovely holiday meal!
This Week's Holiday Prep Checklist
- Firm up plans for Thanksgiving Day. Plan table settings, seating and a centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day. Check the menu plan, and start thinking about a timeline for meal preparation.
- Finalize the Thanksgiving menu. Check in with family members, delegate dishes, and be ready to celebrate.
- Start a Black Friday Sales game plan. Online bargain sites and e-mail alerts allow Web-savvy shoppers to spot the best deals days before Black Friday. Make entries in your holiday sales planner and plan next week's shopping strategy as information comes to light.
- Plan holiday parties. If you'll entertain next month, make plans now. You'll be prepared to issue invitations and check calendars with family and friends during next week's Thanksgiving celebration.
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
-
trissie
- Member
- Posts: 1449
- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:03 am
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
Holiday Grand Plan Week 12: Attic
https://holidaygrandplan.com/12-attic-storage-week/
HOLIDAY PREP
- Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
- Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
- Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
- Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes.
- Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
- Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
- Make place cards.
- Make 3x5 card for each serving dish, list what goes in it, garnish, how much before dinner can it go in and serving silverware used with it; tape it to edge of dish.
- Be sure all dishes are clean!
- Borrow or buy any additional serving dishes needed.
- Are linens clean and ready? Unfold and verify that all spots can be hidden by centerpiece.
- Buy reusable foil bakeware from party paper place.
- Work on centerpiece.
CLEANING/ORGANIZING AREA: FRONT PORCH
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
https://holidaygrandplan.com/12-attic-storage-week/
HOLIDAY PREP
- Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
- Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
- Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
- Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes.
- Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
- Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
- Make place cards.
- Make 3x5 card for each serving dish, list what goes in it, garnish, how much before dinner can it go in and serving silverware used with it; tape it to edge of dish.
- Be sure all dishes are clean!
- Borrow or buy any additional serving dishes needed.
- Are linens clean and ready? Unfold and verify that all spots can be hidden by centerpiece.
- Buy reusable foil bakeware from party paper place.
- Work on centerpiece.
CLEANING/ORGANIZING AREA: FRONT PORCH
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
-
L.Ann
- Member
- Posts: 1515
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2025 5:39 pm
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
Moving up my list….. I need to look at the schedule and see if we want to add more Christmas things.
Cleaning October and November
-spare bedroom
-DD32’s room
-my room
-hall
-kitchen
-dining room done except for scrubbing the floor
-living room
-bathroom
Decorations
-tree
-bins from shed
Gifts
Christmas
Brother, sister in law, sister, brother in law
DD32(half done), DD39(half done), DD41
DD39’s DH, DD41’s DH
Little Bit, DGD12- Duolingo, DGD6, DGS6 BMX gear, DGS11 BMX gear
2gifts for gift exchange
Birthdays
DD38-handprint card w/flamingo, DD32 got her gift, two cards
DD41
DGD12
DGD6-DD32 got her gift and I got mine, got card
DGS6-DD32 got her gift and I got mine, got cars
DD32-12/19 hotel weekend w/ICE and Holidaze cirque tickets
Christmas cards, Christmas stamps, mail gifts, wrap gifts-cards and stamps bought, cards ready to mail
Christmas shopping plans
Christmas activities-Tuba Christmas@1 12/13, Little Bit overnight 12/13, pictures w/mini cows 11/22, hospice Clydesdale event 12/14, family pictures 11/28, ICE and out to dinner with family 11/28, brunch with Santa 12/13@10
Shutterfly thing-make card, DD32 2025 book, Little Bit 2024 book, calendar for DD38, Little Bit 2025 book, Little Bit 2024 school book
Cleaning October and November
-spare bedroom
-DD32’s room
-my room
-hall
-kitchen
-dining room done except for scrubbing the floor
-living room
-bathroom
Decorations
-tree
-bins from shed
Gifts
Christmas
Brother, sister in law, sister, brother in law
DD32(half done), DD39(half done), DD41
DD39’s DH, DD41’s DH
Little Bit, DGD12- Duolingo, DGD6, DGS6 BMX gear, DGS11 BMX gear
2gifts for gift exchange
Birthdays
DD38-handprint card w/flamingo, DD32 got her gift, two cards
DD41
DGD12
DGD6-DD32 got her gift and I got mine, got card
DGS6-DD32 got her gift and I got mine, got cars
DD32-12/19 hotel weekend w/ICE and Holidaze cirque tickets
Christmas cards, Christmas stamps, mail gifts, wrap gifts-cards and stamps bought, cards ready to mail
Christmas shopping plans
Christmas activities-Tuba Christmas@1 12/13, Little Bit overnight 12/13, pictures w/mini cows 11/22, hospice Clydesdale event 12/14, family pictures 11/28, ICE and out to dinner with family 11/28, brunch with Santa 12/13@10
Shutterfly thing-make card, DD32 2025 book, Little Bit 2024 book, calendar for DD38, Little Bit 2025 book, Little Bit 2024 school book
Last edited by L.Ann on Sun Nov 23, 2025 10:51 am, edited 2 times in total.
-
Kittykatt
- Member
- Posts: 3720
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2025 5:10 pm
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
Christmas Preparations:
Decluttering and deep cleaning:
Declutter hall
Deep clean hall
Declutter stairs (there shouldn’t be anything on there apart from the bowl with toys for Matilda!)
Deep clean stairs
Declutter sitting room
Deep clean sitting room
Declutter landing book case
Deep clean landing bookcase
Declutter bathroom
Deep clean bathroom
Declutter bedroom WIP making progress
Deep clean bedroom WIP making progress
Declutter spare room/ office
Deep clean spare room/ office
Declutter kitchen
Deep clean kitchen
Prune roses 25 done, 1 to do.
Christmas List!
( I’m going to need to make amendments and additions, but it’s a start.)
Christmas prep:
Find my Christmas book!
Gifts:
DH birthday (and card) and Christmas(and card) WIP
DH stocking WIP
DF E
Birthday gift and 100th card for DF E (her birthday is the beginning of January)
Dnextdoorneighbour C
DH’s family: A, DH will sort: R, S, L&G, B, L2, R2 & D, J
Give tubs of chocolates to: vet, hairdresser, anyone else who has been really good to us this year to say “thank you” – Ocado order for this last year - see if they give good value again?) This year I have bought the Big Mix tins of chocolates from M&S for everyone
List gifts I still need to buy
DH is supposed to be buying for his family
Wrap gifts
Cards:
Do I need to buy more? Found nice cards for local friends at garden centre
Update card list
Check addresses and get DH to print out address labels
Write cards - after the fuss last year, I've designed our card and had it printed (Snapfish!) All DH will have to do is stuff it I .the envelope along with the newsletter (no writing required!!!) And worst comes to worst, I'll be able to quickly.do them for him (I'm not telling him this, as I really do think he should send cards to his relatives, but I don't want the elderly ones especially to miss out. So...)
Are we doing a newsletter this year?
Food:
Ring butcher and order Christmas meat
Delivery on 1/10 as they are closing for good the end of this week. Fortunately it should all fit in the freezer!)
Veg and fruit - are we having a veg box? Ordered for 23/12
Christmas “goodies” – cheeses, biscuits for cheese,(Jacobs crackers from Waitrose )sweet biscuits,(M&S for tins of shortbread, Waitrose for chocolate biscuits)chocolate...
Baking:
Mince pies
Gingerbread men
Christmas cake
Glaze Christmas cake
Fudge?
Truffles?
Christmas grocery order – Waitrose (KEEP CHECKING FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY SLOTS FROM MID SEPTEMBER and put the basics in my trolley.)Just need to add any seasonal items, and be careful not to get carried away! Remember fruit for fruit salad, also parsnips, carrots and sprouts (unless I decide on a veg box)
Am I having a Christmas veg box? Yes !
Decorations:
Tree
Wreath for front door
Lights round porch
Lights on kitchen windowsill
Wooden Nativity scene (this depends on whether Matilda tries to chew it!) Not this year, Matilda has started jumping up onto the china display cabinet where I usually put the Nativity set!!!!
Church organ musical box, gingerbread house tin and Christmas tree tin (on top shelf of sitting room bookcase?)
Christmas card holders over kitchen door
Hang Christmas count down ornament? (Or will this make my life too stressful? )
Events:
Christmas shoebox for Moldova - check what suitable gifts I have already (I'm assuming our church is doing this again this year) I think we're doing something for the residents of the Y instead? I've signed up to do a shoebox (needs to be done and at church by 14/12)
2/12 Women’s group meditation - S and S are organising it.
4/12 Parish Christmas lunch. I'm organising this for the first time this year Booked for 04/12 at the back of the church. Need to book caterers soon? ( I'm keeping it really simple this year, so just a buffet). Caterers booked!
Find phone number for caterers (in the end I used their "Contact us" form, which was so much simpler)
Write everything down in a logical order :
Full address of the church, name and email address for the treasurer,Date: 4th December
Time, 11 am-12 pm (they have hourly slots)
Which menu I want to order with all the add-ons (simple buffet with bite sized cakes and fruit platter)
Order for 20 guests (Remember at least a couple need to be GF)
Explain that the treasurer has the "chequebook" for the church (she actually does everything online) and ask them to send the invoice there.
MD has suggested we make it a ticketed event, so liaise with D (parish administrator over design of tickets )
Ask D to print tickets and posters
Number tickets and keep a list of names!
Work out costs per head:
Also need tablecloths, crackers (DF PM has lots of Xmas napkins she will provide) fairy lights on font, paper chains? Chocolates on bowls on tables? MD has offered to make simple centre pieces for table
MD has also offered members of the social.committee to help set up /clear away
Remember we need a separate table for GF food
Tea and coffee from the urns, soft drinks? (No alcohol as we would need an Events Licence, and I'm not going down that route )
Bite sized mince pies? - from Morrisons?
How / when do we publicise it? Ask D to print poster advertising the event
Tickets and poster now printed!
Started selling tickets after church today
Carol service at church? Am I reading? ( does the catering committee want me to do the mulled wine?) Probably no to all of this!
Christmas services: are we having a Bethlehem Mass at 9 pm on Christmas Eve again? (It was a lot more popular that midnight mass, especially now people are getting older!!!), will I be asked to read? Bethlehem Mass again this year
Date to visit DBIL and family? (Probably early January) DH asked would I mind missing it, as he's been invited to spend the weekend there! Checked that DSisil knows about this, (as she will be doing all the hard work of looking after guests), and discovered she was the one who actually invited him. So that's a win - win for everyone.( Remember to be extra gracious when DBIL visits for the W/E jist before Christmas, as I no longer get have to trail all the wet up to his house in the new year.)
To be continued...
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
Decluttering and deep cleaning:
Declutter hall
Deep clean hall
Declutter stairs (there shouldn’t be anything on there apart from the bowl with toys for Matilda!)
Deep clean stairs
Declutter sitting room
Deep clean sitting room
Declutter landing book case
Deep clean landing bookcase
Declutter bathroom
Deep clean bathroom
Declutter bedroom WIP making progress
Deep clean bedroom WIP making progress
Declutter spare room/ office
Deep clean spare room/ office
Declutter kitchen
Deep clean kitchen
Prune roses 25 done, 1 to do.
Christmas List!
( I’m going to need to make amendments and additions, but it’s a start.
)Christmas prep:
Find my Christmas book!
Gifts:
DH birthday (and card
) and Christmas(and card) WIPDH stocking WIP
DF E
Birthday gift and 100th card for DF E (her birthday is the beginning of January)
Dnextdoorneighbour C
DH’s family: A,
DH will sort: R, S, L&G, B, L2, R2 & D, JGive tubs of chocolates to: vet, hairdresser, anyone else who has been really good to us this year to say “thank you” – Ocado order for this last year - see if they give good value again?) This year I have bought the Big Mix tins of chocolates from M&S for everyone
List gifts I still need to buy
DH is supposed to be buying for his family
Wrap gifts
Cards:
Do I need to buy more? Found nice cards for local friends at garden centre
Update card list
Check addresses and get DH to print out address labels
Write cards - after the fuss last year, I've designed our card and had it printed (Snapfish!) All DH will have to do is stuff it I .the envelope along with the newsletter (no writing required!!!) And worst comes to worst, I'll be able to quickly.do them for him (I'm not telling him this, as I really do think he should send cards to his relatives, but I don't want the elderly ones especially to miss out. So...)
Are we doing a newsletter this year?
Food:
Ring butcher and order Christmas meat
Delivery on 1/10 as they are closing for good the end of this week. Fortunately it should all fit in the freezer!)
Veg and fruit - are we having a veg box? Ordered for 23/12
Christmas “goodies” – cheeses, biscuits for cheese,(Jacobs crackers from Waitrose )
sweet biscuits,(M&S for tins of shortbread, Waitrose for chocolate biscuits)chocolate... Baking:
Mince pies
Gingerbread men
Christmas cake
Glaze Christmas cake
Fudge?
Truffles?
Christmas grocery order – Waitrose (KEEP CHECKING FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY SLOTS FROM MID SEPTEMBER and put the basics in my trolley.)
Just need to add any seasonal items, and be careful not to get carried away! Remember fruit for fruit salad, also parsnips, carrots and sprouts (unless I decide on a veg box)Am I having a Christmas veg box? Yes !
Decorations:
Tree
Wreath for front door
Lights round porch
Lights on kitchen windowsill
Wooden Nativity scene (this depends on whether Matilda tries to chew it!) Not this year, Matilda has started jumping up onto the china display cabinet where I usually put the Nativity set!!!!
Church organ musical box, gingerbread house tin and Christmas tree tin (on top shelf of sitting room bookcase?)
Christmas card holders over kitchen door
Hang Christmas count down ornament? (Or will this make my life too stressful?
)Events:
Christmas shoebox for Moldova - check what suitable gifts I have already (I'm assuming our church is doing this again this year) I think we're doing something for the residents of the Y instead? I've signed up to do a shoebox (needs to be done and at church by 14/12)
2/12 Women’s group meditation - S and S are organising it.
4/12 Parish Christmas lunch. I'm organising this for the first time this year Booked for 04/12 at the back of the church. Need to book caterers soon? ( I'm keeping it really simple this year, so just a buffet). Caterers booked!
Find phone number for caterers (in the end I used their "Contact us" form, which was so much simpler)
Write everything down in a logical order :
Full address of the church, name and email address for the treasurer,
Date: 4th DecemberTime, 11 am-12 pm (they have hourly slots)
Which menu I want to order with all the add-ons (simple buffet with bite sized cakes and fruit platter)
Order for 20 guests (Remember at least a couple need to be GF)
Explain that the treasurer has the "chequebook" for the church (she actually does everything online) and ask them to send the invoice there.
MD has suggested we make it a ticketed event, so liaise with D (parish administrator over design of tickets )
Ask D to print tickets
and postersNumber tickets and keep a list of names!
Work out costs per head:
Also need tablecloths, crackers (DF PM has lots of Xmas napkins she will provide) fairy lights on font, paper chains? Chocolates on bowls on tables? MD has offered to make simple centre pieces for table
MD has also offered members of the social.committee to help set up /clear away
Remember we need a separate table for GF food
Tea and coffee from the urns, soft drinks? (No alcohol as we would need an Events Licence, and I'm not going down that route )
Bite sized mince pies? - from Morrisons?
How / when do we publicise it? Ask D to print poster advertising the event
Tickets and poster now printed!
Started selling tickets after church today
Carol service at church? Am I reading? ( does the catering committee want me to do the mulled wine?) Probably no to all of this!
Christmas services: are we having a Bethlehem Mass at 9 pm on Christmas Eve again? (It was a lot more popular that midnight mass, especially now people are getting older!!!), will I be asked to read? Bethlehem Mass again this year
Date to visit DBIL and family? (Probably early January) DH asked would I mind missing it, as he's been invited to spend the weekend there!
Checked that DSisil knows about this, (as she will be doing all the hard work of looking after guests), and discovered she was the one who actually invited him. So that's a win - win for everyone.( Remember to be extra gracious when DBIL visits for the W/E jist before Christmas, as I no longer get have to trail all the wet up to his house in the new year.)To be continued...
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trissie
- Member
- Posts: 1449
- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:03 am
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
House & Holidays Plan Week 13: Entry Space Week
https://organizedhome.com/christmas/hou ... space-week
This Week's Focus: Entry Space
Open the door to a beautiful home this week, as we clean, declutter and organize the entry area and coat closets. Our clean and organized entryway will make a dazzling impression on Thanksgiving guests!
In holiday prep, we'll give thanks as we enter the fullness of the season. After Thursday's celebration, we'll focus on a few holiday prep items and turn the corner toward Christmas.
Mailing party invitations early ensures that your event won't be lost in crowded calendars, and Black Friday bargains beckon. For many families, the weekend kicks off holiday decorating.
Ready? It's here!
This Week's Household Checklist
- Clean and declutter the entryway.. Front porch or foyer, apartment door or entryway, this week's focus is on the entry area of the home. Remove clutter, clean and organize the portal to your household this week. Check the front door, cleaning and polishing knob, knocker and any windows. What's the condition of the welcome mat; is it time for cleaning or replacement? Assess outdoor lighting; clean fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs.
- Prepare the entryway for guests. When guests arrive, will you be ready? Declutter doorway storage areas so outdoor shoes, umbrellas or keys find an efficient, attractive home. Make sure there's extra space in the coat closet, and add spare hangers for holiday guests' use. Be ready to open the door to a wonderful holiday season!
This Week's Holiday Prep Checklist
- Set the table ahead. Set the Thanksgiving table a day or two before. You'll have time to spot (and fix) tarnished silver or stains on the tablecloth. Use sticky notes to mark serving dishes with the food they'll contain, so it's easy for guests to help.
- Double up on freezer-friendly dishes. Cooking for the Thanksgiving feast, plan to double or triple amounts for any freezer-friendly dishes, and tuck the extras into the freezer for later use. Candidates include unbaked pies, homemade cranberry sauce, unbaked stuffing and--surprise!--garlic mashed potatoes. Use the reserved side dishes for Christmas dinner or New Year's Day.
- Celebrate American Thanksgiving. (Canadian and UK friends? Enjoy the day off!)
- Shop Black Friday sales! Use your game plan to get the best deals quickly.
- Inspect and inventory decorations. As seasonal decorations come out of storage, make a quick review of what you have. Add any needed items to the shopping list.
- Begin holiday decorating. As the weekend winds down, begin the transition from Thanksgiving decor to Advent or Christmas decorations.
- Send party invitations. Holding a holiday party this year? Send invitations early. Social calendars fill up quickly in December.
- Arrange for baby-sitters. Be quick to call for help as holiday invitations arrive; child-care providers are busy in December, too.
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
https://organizedhome.com/christmas/hou ... space-week
This Week's Focus: Entry Space
Open the door to a beautiful home this week, as we clean, declutter and organize the entry area and coat closets. Our clean and organized entryway will make a dazzling impression on Thanksgiving guests!
In holiday prep, we'll give thanks as we enter the fullness of the season. After Thursday's celebration, we'll focus on a few holiday prep items and turn the corner toward Christmas.
Mailing party invitations early ensures that your event won't be lost in crowded calendars, and Black Friday bargains beckon. For many families, the weekend kicks off holiday decorating.
Ready? It's here!
This Week's Household Checklist
- Clean and declutter the entryway.. Front porch or foyer, apartment door or entryway, this week's focus is on the entry area of the home. Remove clutter, clean and organize the portal to your household this week. Check the front door, cleaning and polishing knob, knocker and any windows. What's the condition of the welcome mat; is it time for cleaning or replacement? Assess outdoor lighting; clean fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs.
- Prepare the entryway for guests. When guests arrive, will you be ready? Declutter doorway storage areas so outdoor shoes, umbrellas or keys find an efficient, attractive home. Make sure there's extra space in the coat closet, and add spare hangers for holiday guests' use. Be ready to open the door to a wonderful holiday season!
This Week's Holiday Prep Checklist
- Set the table ahead. Set the Thanksgiving table a day or two before. You'll have time to spot (and fix) tarnished silver or stains on the tablecloth. Use sticky notes to mark serving dishes with the food they'll contain, so it's easy for guests to help.
- Double up on freezer-friendly dishes. Cooking for the Thanksgiving feast, plan to double or triple amounts for any freezer-friendly dishes, and tuck the extras into the freezer for later use. Candidates include unbaked pies, homemade cranberry sauce, unbaked stuffing and--surprise!--garlic mashed potatoes. Use the reserved side dishes for Christmas dinner or New Year's Day.
- Celebrate American Thanksgiving. (Canadian and UK friends? Enjoy the day off!)
- Shop Black Friday sales! Use your game plan to get the best deals quickly.
- Inspect and inventory decorations. As seasonal decorations come out of storage, make a quick review of what you have. Add any needed items to the shopping list.
- Begin holiday decorating. As the weekend winds down, begin the transition from Thanksgiving decor to Advent or Christmas decorations.
- Send party invitations. Holding a holiday party this year? Send invitations early. Social calendars fill up quickly in December.
- Arrange for baby-sitters. Be quick to call for help as holiday invitations arrive; child-care providers are busy in December, too.
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
-
trissie
- Member
- Posts: 1449
- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:03 am
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
Holiday Grand Plan Week 13: Dining Room
https://holidaygrandplan.com/13-dining-room-week/
HOLIDAY PREP
- Deadline Week: If homemade gifts are not done, put them away. After Thanksgiving weekend and go buy something. This is not a contest, this is life.
- Get everything out for Thanksgiving Dinner and prepare everything that can be done ahead of time. Make sure enough dishes are available.
- Stock bathrooms and first aid kit.
- Wednesday: Use one of the Freezer Meals, buy a salad at the store.
- Friday or Saturday: Have children make/set up Advent Calendar.
- Set up the Creche area and add figures each day as we read from an Advent book. Continue until Jan. 6 when the wise men come.
- Let kids get out and inspect Christmas decorations; test tree and other lights, replace bulbs.
CLEANING/ORGANIZING AREA: DINING ROOM
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
https://holidaygrandplan.com/13-dining-room-week/
HOLIDAY PREP
- Deadline Week: If homemade gifts are not done, put them away. After Thanksgiving weekend and go buy something. This is not a contest, this is life.
- Get everything out for Thanksgiving Dinner and prepare everything that can be done ahead of time. Make sure enough dishes are available.
- Stock bathrooms and first aid kit.
- Wednesday: Use one of the Freezer Meals, buy a salad at the store.
- Friday or Saturday: Have children make/set up Advent Calendar.
- Set up the Creche area and add figures each day as we read from an Advent book. Continue until Jan. 6 when the wise men come.
- Let kids get out and inspect Christmas decorations; test tree and other lights, replace bulbs.
CLEANING/ORGANIZING AREA: DINING ROOM
all the printables and more reading material can be found at the website linked above.
-
trissie
- Member
- Posts: 1449
- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:03 am
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
Week 13 - storage
- clean out/declutter attic
- sweep attic
- clean out/declutter shelves in downstairs storage
- scrub floor in downstairs storage
- clean door in downstairs storage
- clean light in downstairs storage
- clean out/declutter attic
- sweep attic
- clean out/declutter shelves in downstairs storage
- scrub floor in downstairs storage
- clean door in downstairs storage
- clean light in downstairs storage
Last edited by trissie on Sun Dec 21, 2025 9:15 am, edited 2 times in total.
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mom-91
- Registered
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2025 6:47 pm
Re: House & Holidays Plan and Other Christmas plans - 2025 edition
i am not doing the room thing but i am doing the old flylady cruise missions. I am up to mission 19 though i still need to finish shopping and get ding table cleared off