HAVE you started Christmas planning yet?

Do you leave it until the kids start school or do you leave it until the last minute?

Whichever you are, I am here with some tips, tricks and planning to help you get set and organised for the season.

I will be starting for this year now, however for next I will start in January. That might seem early but bear with me, the earlier you plan, the more organised you are, the more you get to do on a budget and the more money you save.

Every week I will bring to a to-do list and what’s the priority. It is now less than 6 weeks until Christmas. 

First things first, if you haven’t already, book your events. Events for the kids, discos, outings, special Christmas days etc, book them now.

If you’re strapped for cash or have very little there are loads of free events locally.

Tropicana Christmas market, Santa route on the sleigh, Christmas light switch-ons in both town and The Sovereign separately, you can get a hot chocolate from your house and go for a drive to see if you can spot any Christmas lights outside houses.

Going to Christmas markets, all the various. Checking out Icescape. Although this is the first year we are ice skating, we used to go before and just have a drink in there and the kids loved it.

That is also a low cost option that might be the one thing you do, book it. Do the two for one deal, it works out better than the early bird 20% off. We paid £23 for all four of us to go.

Go to garden centres, they all have wonderful displays that are certain to make you feel all Christmassy. 

St Paul’s Church are doing some amazing things in December, carols by candlelight, beer and a mince pie, Christmas film night.

It hasn’t advertised if there is an entrance fee but it isn’t going to be very much. The Front Room Theatre are putting on some amazing shows and productions for the family all at low costs so go and check them out.

We are going to see A Winters Tail there in a few weeks, it’s an immersive production made for families with little children. Give it a go. 

Secondly, go through your Christmas decorations and make a list of what you have, if you want a new look or want to be inspired then go onto Pinterest and create a mood board of the themes that you would like.

Make a list of new things. If you need more decorations go and have a look soon. The Range have started a Black Friday sale on some of the big things, I’m unsure if it will stretch to baubles or anything but it is worth taking a look, otherwise TK Maxx is very reasonable although they don’t have many baubles this year. 

Write Christmas lists if you have not already, including yours. As it is so close, wait until ‘Black Friday’ sales to get your gifts. Do not leave it later than that. You will only cause yourself more stress and you want to enjoy the festive season. If you have a Clubcard, Tesco have some incredible deals at the moment. 

Plan your Christmas meals, what you are eating over the festive period. Look on BBC Good Food for inspiration if you are stuck, they have a great Instagram page as well as delicious magazines, you don’t have to buy the magazines you’re just paying for the adverts.

Once you have decided on your menus for the season, collect information from food places, butchers and supermarkets for the things that you want. When you see your meat on offer, get it and freeze it and book your shopping delivery for the few days before Christmas so that you don’t have to brave going out.

Whenever you see the drinks offer on at the supermarket, take advantage and get them, both for over the few days of Christmas and for the lead up to it. Even if you save £5, that will pay for a hot chocolate. Similarly, when you see special treats on offer, pick those up for your Christmas box. 

Do you get Christmas pyjamas? If so, get them now. If you leave it later not all sizes will be available. Both B&M and Home Bargains have some great options for these, and compared to all the other places are at a good price point. Asda usually do some great matching pyjamas also. 

If you are getting a real tree then book your slot now. We used to spend a fortune on our tree and then we heard about Clive’s Christmas trees. All trees are £27 (obviously apart from the 20 footers), you need to book your slot though as there is no parking but it could also double as a day out, make and take a hot chocolate with you and have a lovely drive through the village. Why not visit Cadbury Garden Centre beforehand? 

Clear out or make space in your freezer and cupboard to make way for the influx of Christmas bits.

I’m not one to put my tree up before December, but I am playing Christmas songs. It makes my boys happy and gets me more excited for when I do decorate. They are staying at the folks on December 1 so I am decorating their rooms for when they return, they are going to go crazy! 

If you are making your own Christmas puddings and/or cake start soaking your fruit now either in orange juice, brandy or sherry. This will give the fruit time to soak up before we bake them on stir-up Sunday. 

Check what wrapping, tags, cards and bags you have and make a list if you need anymore. Sainsbury’s are three for £5, Morrisons three for £3 and Cadbury two for £6 but there is much more on those.

Don’t forget to buy the recyclable/biodegradable paper, if it’s foil it cannot be broken down or recycled. As great as Home Bargains and B&M are, some of the wrap is foil, the one I wanted definitely is. So I had to rethink. My wrap always has to match my trees.

So, have fun with the planning this week and I'll be back next week for another tick list.

Jolene Wilson, Weston Mum.