As you can see from my nice new santa hat, that season is fast approaching, and it’s time to start making plans.
Plans for Christmas; plans for New Year; plans for when you are taking time of; plans for what happens when you’re off; plans for celebrations – work and otherwise. And possibly most important for us girls, plans for what to wear.
I’m not one for getting everything bought in August (I’m not criticising those that are, different strokes for different folks). I like last minute shopping – it feels more ‘Christmassy’ to me- but there are some things that just won’t wait for December 23rd to do.
Here are some things you really need to do in November.
1) Where are you going? If you plan on visiting far away family/ in-laws/ the outer hebrides/ Australia over the festive period, you need to book tickets ASAP. Availability is going down and prices are going up.
2) Christmas Dinner at yours? Do yourself a favour and order a turkey now. A real one, from a real farm. Or a goose. I used to think turkey was bland, and an excuse for trimmings. Not so, unless you buy the cheapest frozen bird you can find. For the past few years my family have bought birds from http://www.gartmornfarm.co.uk/ at Partick Farmer’s market, and they are just great.* Which is why they sell out every year. I can’t vouch for any other farm, but go to your farmer’s market and have a look. It’s really worth it.
3) Work Christmas ‘Do’s. Probably someone in your office has already booked somewhere, but what about departmental or team lunches? Go have a chat with a pub or restaurant near the office, and earn some brownie points.
4) Overseas post. Royal Mail’s last posting dates are here http://www2.royalmail.com/christmas-last-posting-dates Check the dates and allow yourself enough time to shop, wrap and get to the Post Office before then.
5) Set your budget. Decide now what you want, or can afford to spend on Christmas and New Year. Make a list, including food, drink, travel, nights out, cards, taxis, wrapping paper and presents. It’s really easy not to add up the total cost until January, and it’s very easy to overspend in one area, and completely forget you need to allow for Great Aunt Maude’s brandy and Uncle John’s malt whiskey.
*I’m not on commission from Gartmorn. Or anyone else I recommend, unless I specifically say I am. I just think they make a great product.
I’ll be posting soon about some local manufacturer’s and suppliers I think are cracking for presents.
