Christmas checklist, This is how we Christmas Blogged by: Rouse Hill Town Centre 03 Dec 2019

The Ultimate 2019 Christmas Checklist

The countdown has begun! Christmas is on its way and we are here to help all you little elves get ready for the big day.
 
Whether you're hosting a Christmas Day shindig, the buyer of gifts, the sender of cards, the planner of photos or all of the above and more, at Rouse Hill Town Centre we’ve got your back. Here’s a handy checklist to make sure you’ll be ready (and relaxed!).
 

ENTERTAINING?

  • Plan venue/time/guests
  • Set a budget
  • Plan menu and allocate responsibilities
  • Order meat ahead of time (turkey/ham etc)
  • Send Christmas invitations with details of what guests should bring
  • Take stock of glassware and dishes
  • Premake any dishes that can be frozen in advance
  • Pre buy any non fresh items e.g. alcohol, napkins, nuts, nibbles
  • Plan your own Christmas outfit, beauty appointments and some well deserved time to relax time
  • Clean the house / get a cleaner a week before Christmas
  • Plan a timeline for Christmas day - lunchtime, gift giving, activities etc.
  • Set up your Christmas day music playlist
  • Shop for fresh ingredients a few days before Christmas
  • Set the table the day before Christmas and buy fresh flowers/stock up on ice
  • Start cooking on Christmas Eve
  • Don’t forget to charge phones / cameras etc.
  • Enjoy the day! 


BUYING GIFTS/CARDS?

  • Update your Christmas Card list / addresses
  • Make a master gift list
  • Shop for cards, gifts, wrapping paper and ribbon
  • Stock up on batteries you might need for toys
  • Send gift ideas for kids to relatives/friends (if that’s your tradition!) including clothing/shoe sizes and helpful ideas
  • Ask for gifts ideas for family/friends/other kids
  • Make a list of gifts to be given in person vs posted so you have enough time
  • Write on cards and address envelopes
  • Wrap gifts
  • Mail cards and gifts by the first week of December and place any others under your tree 


KIDS TO ENTERTAIN?

  • Plan holiday activities for kids and lock them in the diary
  • Grab an Elf on the Shelf (if you are into it!)
  • Teachers/friends to give gifts to? Plan some fun crafts/DIY things kids can make themselves, even if it’s just a card
  • Doing Santa Photos? Book ahead so you can skip the queue
  • Shop for Christmas photo / Christmas Day outfits for the kids
  • Get kids to write letters to Santa / Christmas wish lists
  • Make an activity of cleaning out old toys/clothes with kids, involving them in the decision of what to donate to charities
  • Get kids to help write on cards and wrap gifts for teachers and give them out mid December
  • Plan kiddy Christmas food they can help make and decorate for Christmas day. Gingerbread kits are fun for everyone!
  • Take the kids for a drive to see the local Christmas lights
  • There are brilliant Santa apps to keep kids behaving well. Download one and get Santa to occasionally ‘call’ the kids to check in
  • Set up milk, cookies and carrots on Christmas Eve
  • Put the gifts from Santa under the tree after the kids have gone to bed
  • Post Christmas, get kids to help you make a Christmas Card book to save and cherish! 

 
DECORATING?

  • Plan your decorations - are you buying a live tree or using a faux tree?
  • Set up an Advent Calendar at the end of November, ready for December 1
  • Take stock of your decorations. Have you got: tree, lights, tinsel, tree skirt, Christmas stockings, nativity scene, Santa Stop Here signs, wreath, lawn figures, table decorations.
  • Buy any batteries/cords you might need
  • By the first week of December, start decorating! Put up your lights, decorate your tree and adorn your home however you please
  • Sit back and admire your handywork! 
 
We forgot one point… don’t forget to spoil yourself too!
 
See what's happening at Rouse Hill Town Centre this Christmas.