• Slide 1 of 28: Hoping for an organized Christmas this year? From being a culinary connoisseur to a festive decorating diva, keeping on top of everything that comes with the Yuletide season can be alarming. But by planning and tackling small tasks each day, you can take the stress out of the holidays. Check out these Christmas countdown ideas that will organize your home for the festivities before you can say "holidays are coming". Click or scroll for more...

  • Slide 2 of 28: A good declutter and clean before you begin your holiday decorating and organizing will set a president and foundation for a well-coordinated Christmas from start to finish. Start by deep cleaning your main rooms from top to bottom, then assess spaces to see if any furniture needs to be moved or stored away to make space for the tree and decorations to be displayed. 

  • Slide 3 of 28: Due to its rich fruit sponge, a Christmas cake can be made and stored up to three months before Christmas. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson advises wrapping it tightly in a double layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment, followed by a double layer of foil and then storing it in an airtight container or tin in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Icing can be added between 24 hrs and a week before the big day. Christmas puddings are traditionally made on 'Stir-up Sunday', which is the Sunday before the start of Advent. 

  • Slide 4 of 28: If you are a whizz on the computer start a holiday card mailing list to 'mail merge' address labels or send out a festive family e-newsletter. As Christmas card writing is becoming a vintage art, why not make an effort with just a few handmade cards sent to just a select few in plenty of time. Check online for last post dates for the US and abroad. 

  • Slide 5 of 28: Pay attention to the kitchen as it will be at the heart of Christmas feast-making. Clear out food cupboards and stores to make room for festive goodies and donate to a local food bank. Make sure the stove is clean and working well; the last thing you need is a broken stove on Christmas Day. Then declutter your work surfaces, to make sure there's plenty of room for food prep. Could the smoothy maker be put away until the January health-kick begins? 

  • Slide 6 of 28: As Santa is busy filling his sleigh with all those toys for the big drop why not make room in the children's bedrooms? That way the big man can get through the door without having to do an obstacle course over the Lego and through all the stuffed animals. Children often find it hard to let go of belongs so the thought of donating outgrown toys to others who are less fortunate during the holidays is a great life lesson and incentive. 

  • Slide 7 of 28: What's a holiday dinner without a delicious turkey with all the trimmings? Be sure to order yours in good time. You can purchase a fresh turkey from store and keep it refrigerated a few days before Christmas. But, to guarantee a bird it's best to order beforehand for delivery or collections. Online bookings usually open around mid-November, so put a reminder in your diary. The same applies for main holiday grocery deliveries, it's best to book in early, as slots book up fast. 

  • Slide 8 of 28: If a brand new sofa is top of your list to Santa this year make sure he doesn't disappoint by putting your order in by at least mid-November. Check individual retailers as each will have its own Christmas delivery deadline. 

  • Slide 9 of 28: Invest your downtime in Christmas by booking festive craft classes. Knowing how to DIY your way through the holidays can save money and time in the long run too. Start looking in October for wreath making, bauble decorating and gift making to name a few. If time is short there are so many virtual courses available now, too. 

  • Slide 10 of 28: Advent marks the official beginning of Christmas and starts four Sundays before Christmas Day. Make sure you have yours in good time or use a wooden version that can be filled each year with all sorts of treats, not just chocolate. Why not make it super personal by getting creative and building your own DIY advent calendar out of 24 matchboxes and painted balsa wood?

  • Slide 11 of 28: Children make up a huge part of Christmas and often have a lot of activities to attend and be a part of at this time of year. Make sure you have the school nativities, Pantomimes, Santa visits and family events all marked on the calendar and you have scheduled time for them all. Elf on the Shelf also has a busy schedule during December so be sure you have ideas to keep him busy every day!

  • Slide 12 of 28: Whether you go faux or real, the Christmas tree really is the star of the show. But if you're someone who loves to enjoy a real tree for as long as possible a Nordmann fir is a good option, as it has good needle retention. When buying a pre-cut tree, it's important to check its freshness. Drop the tree onto its base from one foot above the ground. Needles on a healthy tree shouldn't fall off. And once you get your tree home, trim an inch off the trunk and place in a stand or pot, and make sure you keep the water topped up daily, and site away from heat sources!

  • Slide 13 of 28: Christmas bedding, festive PJs and holiday accessories of every kind and are all in high demand these days. Don't spoil your Instagram feed by waiting until they've sold out. Go shopping or get your online orders in early. 

  • Slide 14 of 28: Draw up a decorating schedule. List where and what you want to be decorated (including outside). Start a new tradition by including family for certain jobs such as holding a Christmas light reveal and hot chocolate night, or a tree decorating and dance afternoon with fun Christmas music. 

  • Slide 15 of 28: Give your ornaments' box an MOT in October or early November. Decide what needs updating or replenishing as you can be sure new trends will already be in the shops at this time to refresh your look. Throw out any broken decorations and drop off what you've grown tired of to the local charity shops in good time for their holiday rush.

  • Slide 16 of 28: Whilst checking your holiday ornaments now is the time to troubleshoot the holiday lights for both inside and out. Unravel the strings and plug them into a socket to make sure there are no blown bulbs and your Christmas lights will shine through another season. Do the same with outdoor figures as you don't want your enchanting display to be left in the dark. 

  • Slide 17 of 28: Don't let the delicious Christmas aromas such as gingerbread, pine needles, eucalyptus, oranges and cloves be overtaken by a whiffy pet. These days a dog groomer's schedule can get booked up quicker than Vidal Sassoon's celebrity books. Book your pooch's Christmas clean and clip well in advance to avoid disappointment.

  • Slide 18 of 28: Welcome guests with a festive front door that looks like it belongs on a Christmas card. Give it a good wash down or even a new coat of paint. Hang a pretty door wreath, add mini firs on either side, hang pine cones on ribbons from hooks and place lanterns at different levels for ambience. Also, fake presents stuffed in rubber boots look idyllic, too. 

  • Slide 19 of 28: As yards are becoming an extension of our homes these days, get outside and give your outdoor room a festive tidy and spruce up to create your very own winter wonderland. Place potted evergreens around a sheltered garden table, then, make it crisp and cozy with plenty of warm blankets for guests. Spread the magic with plenty of twinkling Christmas lights to gather under whilst drinking mulled wine or sipping hot chocolate. 

  • Slide 20 of 28: Plan for Christmas dinner guests early. Confirm numbers and pick out a menu and practice the dishes if you feel nervous. Set up the table beforehand to ensure each guest will have enough elbow room. If you can, save time by setting the table a day or two before the big day. 

  • Slide 21 of 28: Shop for materials in good time. A good trick is to shop for holiday wrapping in the January sales as the prices are slashed to almost pennies. Then store away until the festive season begins. Or, be an eco queen by being careful when unwrapping in order to reuse the paper next year. Stick to a color scheme that suits your decorations, for total coordination. Don't leave wrapping until the last minute either – try to wrap a couple of gifts each day in the run-up to the day. 

  • Slide 22 of 28: Ready the guest room for Christmas visitors. Change the bedding for freshly laundered festive motif duvets covers, and make it even more special by adding festive touches such as garlands on the headboard and cute ornaments on the bedside table. Why not even pop a welcome mint in a little Christmas box on the pillow? 

  • Slide 23 of 28: With Christmas guests coming and going your bathroom needs to be in a good state for Christmas. Survey the room for leaks and any needed paint or grout touch-ups. Make room for new stocking fillers by clearing out old and almost empty toiletries. Then, deep clean until it sparkles like a winter wonderland and swap out the usual towels for fun festive versions.  

  • Slide 24 of 28: As well as food, drinks are a key part of entertaining and enjoying Christmas. Make sure your refreshment cupboard is brimming with the usual tipples and festive flavors of the season. Why not keep a drinks trolley out on display with your prettiest bottles and opulent glassware for a touch of Christmas glamor.

  • Slide 25 of 28: Plan the Christmas entertainment in advance for a fun-filled holiday. Ask family to bring favorite board games in advance. Go online to download Christmas bingo card printables and Christmas quizzes, wrap up a festive themed 'pass the parcel' and make ice-breaker question cards for the Christmas table. 

  • Slide 26 of 28: Spend weekend afternoons in the run-up to the holidays making mince pies and seasonal cookies. Make separate batches for decorating, gifting and of course eating. Keep festive cookie cutters and chocolate molds stored with the decorations. That way each year it becomes part of the Christmas countdown ritual. 

  • Slide 27 of 28: Nothing creates a cozy and traditional Christmas vibe than ambient candle light at Christmastime. Whether you opt for the real thing or prefer faux versions make sure you have a good go-to stock in all shapes and delicious seasonal fragrances to last the whole holiday period. 

  • Slide 28 of 28: Break the anticipation for Christmas day by organizing a Christmas Eve box in good time that avoids adding to the Christmas workload. It can be as simple as a wrapped shoebox or a more elaborate version that's personalized. Collect goodies early on and squirrel them away until Christmas Eve such as pajamas, hot chocolate, gingerbread men, and something to give Santa's reindeer.  Loved this? Follow us on Facebook for more ideas for the holidays

Organize Christmas like a pro

Hoping for an organized Christmas this year? From being a culinary connoisseur to a festive decorating diva, keeping on top of everything that comes with the Yuletide season can be alarming. But by planning and tackling small tasks each day, you can take the stress out of the holidays. Check out these Christmas countdown ideas that will organize your home for the festivities before you can say "holidays are coming". Click or scroll for more...

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Have a pre-Christmas clean

A good declutter and clean before you begin your holiday decorating and organizing will set a president and foundation for a well-coordinated Christmas from start to finish. Start by deep cleaning your main rooms from top to bottom, then assess spaces to see if any furniture needs to be moved or stored away to make space for the tree and decorations to be displayed.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Stir up holiday desserts

Due to its rich fruit sponge, a Christmas cake can be made and stored up to three months before Christmas. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson advises wrapping it tightly in a double layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment, followed by a double layer of foil and then storing it in an airtight container or tin in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Icing can be added between 24 hrs and a week before the big day. Christmas puddings are traditionally made on 'Stir-up Sunday', which is the Sunday before the start of Advent.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Send out Christmas cards early

If you are a whizz on the computer start a holiday card mailing list to 'mail merge' address labels or send out a festive family e-newsletter. As Christmas card writing is becoming a vintage art, why not make an effort with just a few handmade cards sent to just a select few in plenty of time. Check online for last post dates for the US and abroad.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Make room in the kitchen

Pay attention to the kitchen as it will be at the heart of Christmas feast-making. Clear out food cupboards and stores to make room for festive goodies and donate to a local food bank. Make sure the stove is clean and working well; the last thing you need is a broken stove on Christmas Day. Then declutter your work surfaces, to make sure there's plenty of room for food prep. Could the smoothy maker be put away until the January health-kick begins?

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Do a toy cull

As Santa is busy filling his sleigh with all those toys for the big drop why not make room in the children's bedrooms? That way the big man can get through the door without having to do an obstacle course over the Lego and through all the stuffed animals. Children often find it hard to let go of belongs so the thought of donating outgrown toys to others who are less fortunate during the holidays is a great life lesson and incentive.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Pre-order the turkey

What's a holiday dinner without a delicious turkey with all the trimmings? Be sure to order yours in good time. You can purchase a fresh turkey from store and keep it refrigerated a few days before Christmas. But, to guarantee a bird it's best to order beforehand for delivery or collections. Online bookings usually open around mid-November, so put a reminder in your diary. The same applies for main holiday grocery deliveries, it's best to book in early, as slots book up fast.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Order the new sofa for Christmas delivery

If a brand new sofa is top of your list to Santa this year make sure he doesn't disappoint by putting your order in by at least mid-November. Check individual retailers as each will have its own Christmas delivery deadline.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Take a seasonal craft class

Invest your downtime in Christmas by booking festive craft classes. Knowing how to DIY your way through the holidays can save money and time in the long run too. Start looking in October for wreath making, bauble decorating and gift making to name a few. If time is short there are so many virtual courses available now, too.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Countdown with an advent calendar

Advent marks the official beginning of Christmas and starts four Sundays before Christmas Day. Make sure you have yours in good time or use a wooden version that can be filled each year with all sorts of treats, not just chocolate. Why not make it super personal by getting creative and building your own DIY advent calendar out of 24 matchboxes and painted balsa wood?

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Plan holiday activities

Children make up a huge part of Christmas and often have a lot of activities to attend and be a part of at this time of year. Make sure you have the school nativities, Pantomimes, Santa visits and family events all marked on the calendar and you have scheduled time for them all.Elf on the Shelf also has a busy schedule during December so be sure you have ideas to keep him busy every day!

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Buy the tree

Whether you go faux or real, the Christmas tree really is the star of the show. But if you're someone who loves to enjoy a real tree for as long as possible a Nordmann fir is a good option, as it has good needle retention. When buying a pre-cut tree, it's important to check its freshness. Drop the tree onto its base from one foot above the ground. Needles on a healthy tree shouldn't fall off. And once you get your tree home, trim an inch off the trunk and place in a stand or pot, and make sure you keep the water topped up daily, and site away from heat sources!

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Pick out the holiday homeware

Christmas bedding, festive PJs and holiday accessories of every kind and are all in high demand these days. Don't spoil your Instagram feed by waiting until they've sold out. Go shopping or get your online orders in early.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Write down a decorating to-do list

Draw up a decorating schedule. List where and what you want to be decorated (including outside). Start a new tradition by including family for certain jobs such as holding a Christmas light reveal and hot chocolate night, or a tree decorating and dance afternoon with fun Christmas music.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Update the ornaments

Give your ornaments' box an MOT in October or early November. Decide what needs updating or replenishing as you can be sure new trends will already be in the shops at this time to refresh your look. Throw out any broken decorations and drop off what you've grown tired of to the local charity shops in good time for their holiday rush.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Check the Christmas lights

Whilst checking your holiday ornaments now is the time to troubleshoot the holiday lights for both inside and out. Unravel the strings and plug them into a socket to make sure there are no blown bulbs and your Christmas lights will shine through another season. Do the same with outdoor figures as you don't want your enchanting display to be left in the dark.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Book the pet groomer

Don't let the delicious Christmas aromas such as gingerbread, pine needles, eucalyptus, oranges and cloves be overtaken by a whiffy pet. These days a dog groomer's schedule can get booked up quicker than Vidal Sassoon's celebrity books. Book your pooch's Christmas clean and clip well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Consider Christmas curb appeal

Welcome guests with a festive front door that looks like it belongs on a Christmas card. Give it a good wash down or even a new coat of paint. Hang a pretty door wreath, add mini firs on either side, hang pine cones on ribbons from hooks and place lanterns at different levels for ambience. Also, fake presents stuffed in rubber boots look idyllic, too.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Create a garden grotto

As yards are becoming an extension of our homes these days, get outside and give your outdoor room a festive tidy and spruce up to create your very own winter wonderland. Place potted evergreens around a sheltered garden table, then, make it crisp and cozy with plenty of warm blankets for guests. Spread the magic with plenty of twinkling Christmas lights to gather under whilst drinking mulled wine or sipping hot chocolate.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Mock up the table

Plan for Christmas dinner guests early. Confirm numbers and pick out a menu and practice the dishes if you feel nervous. Set up the table beforehand to ensure each guest will have enough elbow room. If you can, save time by setting the table a day or two before the big day.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Keep on top of wrapping

Shop for materials in good time. A good trick is to shop for holiday wrapping in the January sales as the prices are slashed to almost pennies. Then store away until the festive season begins. Or, be an eco queen by being careful when unwrapping in order to reuse the paper next year. Stick to a color scheme that suits your decorations, for total coordination. Don't leave wrapping until the last minute either – try to wrap a couple of gifts each day in the run-up to the day.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Pretty up the guest room

Ready the guest room for Christmas visitors. Change the bedding for freshly laundered festive motif duvets covers, and make it even more special by adding festive touches such as garlands on the headboard and cute ornaments on the bedside table. Why not even pop a welcome mint in a little Christmas box on the pillow?

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Spruce up the bathroom

With Christmas guests coming and going your bathroom needs to be in a good state for Christmas. Survey the room for leaks and any needed paint or grout touch-ups. Make room for new stocking fillers by clearing out old and almost empty toiletries. Then, deep clean until it sparkles like a winter wonderland and swap out the usual towels for fun festive versions.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Stock up the bar

As well as food, drinks are a key part of entertaining and enjoying Christmas. Make sure your refreshment cupboard is brimming with the usual tipples and festive flavors of the season. Why not keep a drinks trolley out on display with your prettiest bottles and opulent glassware for a touch of Christmas glamor.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Be games room ready

Plan the Christmas entertainment in advance for a fun-filled holiday. Ask family to bring favorite board games in advance. Go online to download Christmas bingo card printables and Christmas quizzes, wrap up a festive themed 'pass the parcel' and make ice-breaker question cards for the Christmas table.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Bake up a Christmas storm

Spend weekend afternoons in the run-up to the holidays making mince pies and seasonal cookies. Make separate batches for decorating, gifting and of course eating. Keep festive cookie cutters and chocolate molds stored with the decorations. That way each year it becomes part of the Christmas countdown ritual.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Build up a candle supply

Nothing creates a cozy and traditional Christmas vibe than ambient candle light at Christmastime. Whether you opt for the real thing or prefer faux versions make sure you have a good go-to stock in all shapes and delicious seasonal fragrances to last the whole holiday period.

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Indulge in a Christmas Eve box

Break the anticipation for Christmas day by organizing a Christmas Eve box in good time that avoids adding to the Christmas workload. It can be as simple as a wrapped shoebox or a more elaborate version that's personalized. Collect goodies early on and squirrel them away until Christmas Eve such as pajamas, hot chocolate, gingerbread men, and something to give Santa's reindeer.

Loved this? Follow us on Facebook for more ideas for the holidays

Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

28/28 SLIDES