4 Things To Make Christmas Day Run Smoothly

This year we have offered to host Christmas lunch. We are really looking forward to a fantastic day spent with family and the kids having lots of fun with the excitement and festivities.

So taking into account I am probably planning to cook as much food in one day as I do the entire year, how do I ensure I get to relax and enjoy the day with everybody else?

This is how I’m going about it…..

1. Make a plan

Pre-plan the menu and determine all the items needed including the decorations. Then organise a time to shop “child free” (if you can). Late night opening hours are a big help with this or shop online and get it delivered to reduce the stress of parking and crowds at this time of year.

Also in planning, work through the Christmas day plan. Have it clear in your mind what you need to do and roughly at what time ie. roast in oven at 10am.

TIP: For menu planning it is a good idea to consider foods that can be easily managed on the day or prepared beforehand.

2. Outsource

My husband has decided we will cook the chickens this year, however I am still leaning toward the option of pre-ordering some roasted chooks from our local shops. They taste terrific, take 10 minutes to pick up and will free up more space in our oven for the other two roasts we intend to do. It also means a couple less things to think about on the day.

Another way to outsource is asking family members to bring something. I have my sister’s families coming and so have asked they each bring a salad or dessert and of course, mum makes a terrific seafood sauce so she is in charge of the prawns.

3. Prepare

Work out the dishes that can be prepared before the day such as cakes and desserts as well as the steps that can be done the night before like marinading and setting the table. Get everything done you can before the day, to allow you more time with your family.

TIP: Layout the serving plates ‘ready to go’ for each of the dishes, labelled with a sticky note. It helps provide a reminder and clarity about what needs to be done and also assists with communication if there is more than one of you assisting in preparing the meals.

4. Laugh

Remember this is a festive time and one when you are surrounded by family and loved ones, so at the end of the day make the most to enjoy it! No one will really care if the Turkey is a little dry… definitely not by their third glass of wine!

Merry Christmas …. Enjoy!

Main image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

62 Comments

- - ChiWren said
  - 08 Dec 2023
    3:47 pm
Great tips!! Always have your shopping list prepared, down to what to get from each store.

- - meedee said
  - 23 Jul 2023
    8:45 am
Our Christmas is the same each year. We stick to the same menu and the only change is how many people will be here.

- - tonkalass said
  - 25 Apr 2021
    8:51 am
I try to stick to a budget but I usually blow it. I feel guilty asking other family members to help out

- - mom110120 said
  - 03 Jan 2021
    12:11 pm
Be organised and set a budget that always helps me and my family.

- - mom112217 said
  - 01 Jan 2021
    1:37 pm
All good tips,planning ahead makes it less stressful!

- - mom111059 said
  - 01 Jan 2021
    12:02 pm
A list is the best way for me, otherwise I always forget something on the day.

- - mom462929 said
  - 31 Dec 2020
    10:30 pm
I make a list/summary od what we did on Christmas day each year. What worked and what didnt, then use it to plan the next year.

- - mom461384 said
  - 31 Dec 2020
    9:13 pm
All my plans went out the window, as per

- - BellaB said
  - 31 Dec 2020
    7:51 pm
Yet again I didn’t plan much, and all went okay anyway.

- - nadine_hill said
  - 28 Dec 2020
    5:44 pm
Preparation is everything! The more you can do ahead of time means more time left to enjoy the day!

- - anna213795 said
  - 27 Dec 2020
    2:21 pm
Just get everyone to chip in and help. It shouldn’t be left to just one person to do everything

- - Sotomumof3 said
  - 27 Dec 2020
    8:01 am
Prep the night before! Our fridge was full and we only did breakfast ????

- - Kasey said
  - 26 Dec 2020
    11:03 pm
Thanks for the great tips for making Christmas Day more pleasurable and stress free.

- - ashna9 said
  - 26 Dec 2020
    7:26 pm
We now do things like cook the turkey the night before. it tastes the same but les stress on the day.

- - Ellen said
  - 26 Dec 2020
    9:02 am
I just like to keep it simple, no fuss no stress
- Ellen replied
  
  26 Dec 2020 , 9:03 am
  I’m considering to do next year less presents as well; just 1 gift per person sounds good to me
- - snazzy007 said
  - 25 Dec 2020
    10:26 am
I am making a couple of dishes can’t imagine the stress of having it all

- - mom101628 said
  - 24 Dec 2020
    11:11 pm
Keep it simple and you can’t go wrong. Enjoy your Christmas day and have fun!

- - Frankiielot said
  - 24 Dec 2020
    10:24 pm
It’s definitely good to plan!
I’m an EA so I’m super organised with everything. When I know something is coming up I start planning months ahead.
I had finished all my Christmas shopping by mid November and then started planning all my cooking.
It also helps with keeping the credit card from being maxed out by Christmas if you have a list of things you need to buy by helping you budget and buy things bit by bit.

- - mom466923 said
  - 24 Dec 2020
    7:02 pm
I think that all the preparation takes a very long time for Christmas. Cleaning, cooking, wrapping…atc. But after all presents are open is mess everywhere. I think is pointless to plan the day. Just go with the day…

- - mummaJo said
  - 24 Dec 2020
    3:51 pm
Keeping it simple and let other people help, that works best! Oh, yes, laugh and enjoy yourself too. Don’t sweat the small things that go wrong. Have a great Christmas everyone!