The Christmas countdown can feel a little overwhelming, with endless lists and lots of tasks to keep on top of before 25th December arrives. We’ve put together a Christmas handbook to use alongside the Audacity app to keep you on track from now until the big day arrives – one small checklist at a time.
Early November
Organise your Christmas dinner
Every family has different Christmas traditions, but more often than not it’s down to someone to take on the role of host for the day. A few months before Christmas start discussing everyone’s plans so you know where everyone is going to be and if you end up hosting, how many people you’ll be catering for.
Add dates to remember to your calendar
If you have any Christmas parties to attend, early November is the time to get them cemented in your diary. Around Christmas time, it’s easy to get swept up in all of the excitement, saying yes to every occasion only to realise later that you’ve mixed up the office party with the day of the children’s Christmas play.
Make Christmas bookings
Early November is the time to make those Christmas bookings, as around the holiday season special events often sell out more quickly. This is also the perfect time to start booking any travel arrangements so that you’re well prepared by the time Christmas rolls around.
Finalise your Christmas budget
Budgeting for Christmas can be a chore, but it’s something that needs doing. Take half an hour now to budget out what you plan to spend over the next couple of months and it’s sure to make the countdown to Christmas a little more manageable.
Mid-November
Write your Christmas card list and post your cards
There’s nothing worse than a card landing on your doorstep and realising you’ve forgotten to return the favour. A top tip is to save your Christmas cards from the year before, compiling a list of these names with a new list of people who need to be added this year. Be sure to make a note of the last posting dates, or add the task to the Audacity app, so you don’t forget.
| Wednesday 18th December | 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For |
| Friday 20 December | 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For and Royal Mail Tracked 48* |
| Saturday 21 December | Royal Mail Tracked 24* |
| Monday 23 December | Special Delivery Guaranteed |
Late November
Do your online Christmas shopping
Online retailers are offering more and more chances to order right up until the last minute but take the opportunity now to order any gifts you’ll need to order so that you won’t be left panicking later in the month. Save time and take advantage of Audacity to make your present purchases simple by adding product URLs to your shortlists.
Send overseas gifts
To save any room for panic, send your overseas gifts during late November. Find a full breakdown of the last Christmas posting dates for Royal Mail International Standard and International Tracking and Signature services below:
| Africa, Middle East | Monday 9th December |
| Asia, Far East | Monday 9th December |
| Caribbean, Central and South America | Monday 9th December |
| Cyprus, Malta | Tuesday 10th December |
| Eastern Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia) | Wednesday 11th December |
| Greece, Turkey | Thursday 12th December |
| Australia, New Zealand | Thursday 12th December |
| Canada, USA | Saturday 14th December |
| Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy | Saturday 14th December |
| Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland | Monday 16th December |
| Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg | Wednesday 18th December |
Early December
Make your shopping list and order food
If you’re the designated chef, now is your chance to get ready for the main meal. It’s time to put your order in for anything special you’ll need to pick up and create a shopping list so that nothing gets missed. Don’t forget that with Audacity, you can lighten the load by sharing lists and assigning tasks from right within the app, so you’ll never accidentally end up with two Christmas puddings again.
Wrap your presents
It’s time to turn up the Christmas music and get ready to wrap those gifts. Spend an evening warm by the fire, with some festive food and drink to get those presents wrapped. You’ll thank us later when you’re not hunting for tape on Christmas Eve when you could be relaxing instead.
Mid-December
Do your last-minute Christmas shopping
If you’ve left any presents until the last minute, buy them now! The later into December your shopping gets, the longer the queues are – so beat them now and save your sanity.
Pick up your Christmas tree and start decorating
Every family has its own traditions when it comes to finding the perfect Christmas tree, but whether you plan to put it up on Christmas Eve or you like to get in on the action a little earlier it never hurts to think about where you’ll pick up your Christmas tree from and what decorations you’ll be adding this year.
Clean your house
If you’re expecting visitors now is the time to remake the beds and get the house sparkling. It’s bound to get busier in the lead up to Christmas Day so this is the ideal time to get any major housework done, leaving your house ready for any unexpected festive guests.
A few days before Christmas
Do your Christmas food shop
Audacity list at the ready? It’s time to brave the food shops. You can easily check things off within the app to make your shopping trip smooth, all while making sure you don’t forget the all-important cranberry sauce for the table.
Prepare lunch
It’s time to start preparing lunch before taking some time with family and friends. Create a Christmas dinner list with everything you’re planning to cook and add URLs to any online recipes within the Audacity app, to easily access everything you’ll need whilst cooking.
Relax!
Now all of the hard work is done, it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
If you’re looking to enjoy a simple Christmas download the Audacity app here.
